I’ve linked, further below, to a piece of content from WHOOP Review that gives their take on HRV. It’s quite a nice athlete-focussed overview that’s straightforward to read.
It covers these broad topics and more:
- What it is, what causes it, how it’s measured, and why it’s an indicator of fitness
- What’s a normal HRV for you and why trends matter (I found this bit interesting)
- Factors that affect it and how to improve it
- How to use HRV to train smarter and more efficiently
This links to WHOOP.com for the modestly named “the ultimate guide to HRV” aka “everything you need to know about HRV“
I’m currently re-investigating WHOOP v3 now that it allows HR to be broadcast but it’s proving to be taking a lot longer than I expected. Watch this space…
Must Read: Check out the latest WHOOP Review
Last Updated on 21 January 2026 by the5krunner
My favourite kit and nutrition
- Garmin Fenix 9 Pro — I’ve just bought one.
- Injinji – Runners protect your toes. Avoid discomfort and minor injury. Run more. Run faster. I use them.
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter — A small keyring adapter you can use anywhere. Essential when away. I use one.
- Garmin charging puck — the fastest and most reliable way to top up your Garmin before a session. I use one.
- Ravemen FR300 — Front light that mounts directly under your Garmin or Wahoo head unit. Keeps your bars clean and your beam pointed where it matters. I use one.
- Body Glide – The blue anti-chafe stick that all swimmers and many runners use. I use it.
- Maurten — The race nutrition trusted by elite athletes. Gels and drink mixes engineered to be easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Garmin Varia RTL515 — A radar rear light that alerts you to vehicles approaching from behind. Pairs with your Edge or Wahoo. I use this model.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2 — The power-meter pedals most serious cyclists choose. Accurate, easy to move between bikes. I use this model.
- Garmin Forerunner 970 — A serious choice for a pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Polar H10 — My daily driver for accurate, waking HRV readings.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3 — The bike computer that has the feature Garmin lacks: usability. I use mine on most rides.
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tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. ID
