How to Make Your Own Whoop Band for Under $50

Low-Cost HRV Monitoring Setup

The video explains how to create a low-cost heart rate variability (HRV) monitoring setup as an alternative to some WHOOP features, without an ongoing subscription.

What HRV Indicates

HRV measures the variation in time between successive heartbeats. The speaker describes it as a potential indicator of how the body is handling stress and recovering.

Higher HRV may suggest a better balance between the sympathetic (“fight or flight”) and parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) nervous systems. Lower HRV may indicate fatigue, illness, or a need to recover.

Suggested Equipment and App

• Heart-rate monitor: The speaker recommends a Polar H10, which he says cost about $50 on sale. A Polar H9 or another compatible monitor may also work.
• App: The free Elite HRV app pairs with compatible heart-rate monitors and is available for iOS and Android. The speaker recommends checking Elite HRV’s compatibility list for other potentially cheaper options.

Cost and Limitations

The proposed setup is described as a one-time purchase of roughly $50–$80, depending on the monitor and sale price, compared with WHOOP’s reported $30 monthly subscription.

This setup provides access to HRV and readiness-related information, but it is not a WHOOP device or a complete replacement for all WHOOP features.

Tutorial and Source

The speaker briefly demonstrates setting up a Polar strap with Elite HRV and outlines the equipment and app needed. He notes that a deeper explanation of HRV calculations could be covered separately.

Main speaker: Allan Ryan, the video’s narrator.