Suunto appears to be laying the groundwork for its own Whoop-style heart rate and recovery band. The company is exploring features and form factors that go beyond what’s currently offered in its sports watch range.
A shift in focus toward recovery-first wearables
It looks like Suunto may be next in line to join Whoop, Zepp Health, Polar and Garmin in the screen-less fitness band space. The Finnish brand is evaluating whether to release a strap-style wearable.
They describe it as a “heart rate band worn on the upper arm or bicep”.
But don’t mistake this for a typical heart rate monitor. According to information we have seen, Suunto is evaluating whether it could double as a wrist-based device for sleep and recovery tracking. That versatility would make it easier to gather round-the-clock data without requiring multiple wearables.
Key elements being prioritised include consistent heart rate readings, especially during high-intensity sessions, and a fit that doesn’t get in the way of daily training or sleep. The goal seems to be seamless wear throughout the day and night.
Additional features are on the table
While the core idea is built around heart rate, recovery and sleep, Suunto is also testing the waters on whether to expand the device’s capabilities. Several potential features are under consideration, including stress tracking, VO2 Max, blood oxygen saturation, body temperature, and even metrics for running dynamics like vertical oscillation or stride length.
The company is also exploring options for healthy habit nudges, such as hydration reminders or mindful drinking prompts. These would bring the wearable closer to a broader health platform, but it’s not yet clear whether all of these features would make the cut.
Some fitness tracking functions like step counting, automatic activity recognition, and swimming metrics are also being evaluated. But these appear to be lower on the priority list compared to the recovery-focused core.
Pricing model may follow subscription trends
Suunto is also looking to decide between two pricing approaches. One option is a straightforward one-time purchase, as is typical for most fitness hardware. The other is a subscription-based model, paid yearly, that could potentially include premium analytics or coaching insights.
This suggests that Suunto may be considering bundling the wearable with a richer software experience – potentially offering additional insights, similar to what Whoop and others are already doing.
Why this matters for Suunto
This would mark new ground for Suunto, whose current product portfolio primarily revolves around multi-sport watches. A recovery-first wearable would open the door to a different type of user, someone less concerned with structured workouts and more interested in understanding how lifestyle and sleep affect performance and wellbeing.
If the device launches, it would join a growing field of sensor-first wearables designed for continuous use, rather than wristwatch functionality. This space is actually becoming a bit crowded – and recently we saw Whoop filing a lawsuit against Polar over its fitness band design. If Suunto goes down this route, hopefully it will offer a new take on the concept.
This article originally appeared on Gadgets & Wearables, the first media outlet to report the story.
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