Whoop+ fitness smartwatch

The Challenge

How might we design a wearable interface that keeps Whoop’s advanced data accessible and actionable without overwhelming the user?

Whoop already provides powerful insights through its mobile app, but its users wanted on-the-go feedback without diving into their phones. Our challenge was to design a wearable interface that offered instant, meaningful updates while staying true to Whoop’s minimalist brand.

“How can a smartwatch surface complex data in a way that feels effortless, not analytical?”

Research & Discovery

Demographic Insights: Target users aged 20s–30s, primarily using smartwatches for fitness tracking, health monitoring, and timekeeping.

Survey Focus: Assessed smartwatch ownership, liked/disliked features, and usage patterns.

• Key User Needs:

  • Accurate tracking of health and fitness metrics

  • Personalized insights aligned with individual goals

  • Simple, intuitive navigation

  • Long battery life

• Pain Points Identified:

  • Overly complex interfaces

  • Cluttered UI

  • Inconsistent or inaccurate health data

We began by interviewing fitness enthusiasts and Whoop users. Most described two recurring pain points:

“Too many numbers, not enough meaning.”

1. Overload

2. Inconsistency

“My fitness tracker tells me everything after the workout, not during.”

INTERVIEWS & SURVEYS

We mapped these insights into key user needs:

• Access to core metrics (strain, recovery, sleep) directly on the wrist

• Simple navigation that works mid-movement

• Quick Actions - Countdown timer and simplified alarm settings

• Feedback that motivates rather than overwhelms

• Added expanded workout options - stretching, yoga, and meditation tracking

IDENTIFYING KEY FEATURES

RESEARCH METHODS

• User Interviews (fitness enthusiasts & Whoop users)

• Competitive Analysis (Apple Watch, Garmin, Fitbit)

• Surveys on wearable pain points

• Task Analysis

Ideation & Concept Development

STORYBOARDING THE WORKFLOW

PAPER PROTOTYPE

Wireframing & Early Testing

USER TESTING RESULTS

• Add a back button + swipe gesture for dual navigation

• Make workout icons visible from the home screen

• Simplify alarm and sleep recovery settings

Our first digital prototype went through three usability test rounds.
Users loved the clean visuals but struggled with navigation depth. Their feedback led us to

Visual Design System

Iterative Design: Applying the Design System

Iterative Design: Addressing User Feedback

Usability issues in early rounds revealed that the navigation structure was the primary pain point. Users hesitated, over-tapped, or got lost mid-task, especially during workouts when cognitive load is naturally higher.

To address this, we built a dual-navigation model, inspired by our paper prototype, centered around the home screen, ensuring every core function was only one intuitive gesture away

Swipe Left > Workout options (start, pause, stop, view live stats)

Swipe Right > Health metrics (sleep, recovery, strain) + alarms

Swipe Up > Settings (brightness, text size, time display)

Swipe Down > Profile & workout history

Throughout the Whoop+ project, our iterative design process focused on three guiding principles:

brand alignment, intuitive navigation . visual consistency

Early prototypes exposed issues such as inconsistent aesthetics, overwhelming settings and unclear navigation patterns. Each round of iteration brought the design closer to a system that reflected the clarity and restraint of Whoop’s brand while supporting seamless user movement.

We tested the final Whoop+ prototype with 5 participants using a think-aloud protocol. Each participant completed a series of core tasks:

1. Start and finish a workout

2. View workout and recovery stats

3. Adjust settings (brightness, text size, time format)

4. Set and turn off an alarm

Participants were instructed:

“Use this watch as if it were your own. Start a workout, check your stats, adjust settings, and set an alarm.”

After completing the tasks, we asked:

• What did you like most?

• What felt confusing or frustrating?

• What were you expecting to see that didn’t appear?

• How would you improve navigation?

Our results displayed positives outcomes, Users completed all tasks with minimal friction. From the Qualitative data collected, users described navigation as “simple,” “predictable,” and “easy to learn."

30% faster task completion and noticeably smoother interaction flow

What Stood Out:

This design decision for dual-navigation proved critical: By anchoring the interface around a simple spatial gesture system, users completed tasks faster and expressed higher confidence navigating the interface,.

This proved to be ideal for a smartwatch where micro-interactions matter.

DUAL-NAVIGATION MODEL

This led us to rethink the architecture entirely. Home sits at the center, anchoring every action. Why this works:

• Users always know where they are

• Each function is exactly one gesture away

• Swipes match natural mental models (left = go, right = review)

The Menu button for navigating to pages was also kept an option for easier access.

User Testing & Results

Final Whoop+ Watch Prototype

Figma Interactive Prototype Flow

This Iterative design process taught me that designing for wearables requires extreme clarity. With such limited screen real estate, every gesture, label, and transition must carry intention. The dual-navigation model became a breakthrough, transforming early confusion into a fluid, user-centered experience. Ultimately, the design into alignment with Whoop’s brand DNA while improving real-world usability in measurable ways.