Garmin is reportedly developing a screen-free fitness tracker called CIRQA that could pose a serious challenge to Whoop's booming health-tracking market. The device emerged through a trademark filing submitted in February, revealing the company's ambitions to compete in the wellness-focused wearable space that has gained significant traction in recent years.
According to the trademark documentation, the CIRQA is designed to measure physiological data, bio-signals, and bodily behavior while also tracking recovery from physical and emotional stress, human alertness levels, and overall performance. These advanced wellness metrics distinguish it from traditional fitness trackers and align it more closely with Whoop's data-intensive approach to health monitoring. Garmin accidentally confirmed its work on the device through a now-removed store page discovered in January.
The timing of Garmin's entry into this segment is strategic. Whoop has experienced remarkable growth, recently securing $575 million in funding based on its current market success. The company's screen-free band model appeals to health enthusiasts who prefer a minimalist design that delegates detailed analytics to a smartphone app rather than relying on a display for real-time information.
Garmin isn't alone in pursuing this opportunity. Google's Fitbit division teased its own Whoop-style competitor in late March, featuring celebrity athlete endorsements. The convergence of multiple major tech companies toward this design philosophy signals growing consumer demand for specialized health tracking without smartwatch functionality.
The screen-free band format pairs particularly well with artificial intelligence applications in fitness tracking. As health data processing increasingly moves to cloud-based systems, the need for an on-device display diminishes. Users must access their smartphone to view AI-powered insights about workouts and nutrition anyway, making a dedicated screen on the wearable itself redundant. This shift represents a fundamental change in how people interact with their fitness technology, prioritizing comprehensive data collection over immediate on-wrist feedback.