Tech bros and fitness fanatics, gather 'round for some serious startup shenanigans.

Whoop, the fitness tracker darling that once promised the moon to its subscribers, just pulled the ultimate tech bait-and-switch. The company that claimed members would get free hardware upgrades is now asking loyal users to open their wallets for the new Whoop 5.0.

The Subscription Bait and Switch

Here’s the tea: Whoop’s entire pitch was a membership model where you get “free” hardware with your subscription. Previously, they explicitly promised existing members would get next-generation devices at no extra cost after six months of membership. Fast forward to today, and suddenly those promises have vanished faster than your workout motivation on a Monday morning.

User Revolt Incoming

Reddit is absolutely blazing with fury. Users who chose Whoop specifically because of its hardware upgrade promise are now feeling majorly betrayed. One user summed it up perfectly: “The cost isn’t the issue, it’s them changing what was promised”.

The Subscription Economy Strikes Again

This isn’t just a Whoop problem - it’s a broader tech trend. Companies are constantly testing how much they can squeeze from loyal customers, hoping we won’t notice the slow erosion of promised perks. Spoiler alert: we always notice.

Whoop’s current “upgrade” options? Pay a one-time fee of $49-$79 or extend your membership by another year. Not exactly the “free” upgrade they originally promised.

Stay woke, tech consumers. Always read the fine print - today’s startup promise is tomorrow’s forgotten marketing slogan.