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WHOOP steps up Middle East investment as GCC membership grows 75%
The redesigned app will allow Arabic-speaking users to access personalized health insights covering sleep, recovery, physical strain and other health metrics in their native language
US wearable technology company WHOOP, known for its fitness-tracking wristband, has launched an Arabic-language version of its app as membership across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) grew more than 75% year-on-year, according to the company.
The redesigned app will allow Arabic-speaking users to access personalized health insights covering sleep, recovery, physical strain and other health metrics in their native language for the first time.
WHOOP is increasing its regional investment through retail expansion, research partnerships and a dedicated UAE office. The company also plans to open its first research and development facility outside Boston in Qatar later this year, focusing on health and human performance.
The launch comes as the GCC emerges as a major growth market for the company, prompting further investment in regional research, retail distribution and infrastructure.
“The GCC has become a major market for us, and we’re seeing strong growth across the broader Middle East and North Africa,” said Will Ahmed, founder and CEO of WHOOP.
“We’ve made a significant commitment to the region and we’re going to keep investing here. Launching in Arabic is a crucial part of that strategy,” Ahmed added.
The launch follows an investment by Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Company in WHOOP’s Series G funding round, part of a broader partnership aimed at expanding preventive healthcare, research and health technology innovation in the UAE.
The Arabic-language rollout was among the initiatives outlined under the partnership, as WHOOP seeks to make its health monitoring technology more accessible across the region.
The company has also expanded its presence in Gulf sports through partnerships with UAE Team Emirates-XRG and Saudi football club Al Nassr, serving as their official health and performance wearable. It has additional partnerships with the Dubai Fitness Challenge and the Doha Marathon.
WHOOP’s wearable devices continuously track physiological data, including heart rate, sleep and physical strain, using the information to provide personalized recommendations on recovery and performance.
The regional expansion reflects the company’s push to broaden its customer base beyond athletes and fitness enthusiasts, as demand grows across the region for wearable technology focused on preventive health and long-term wellness.
