The market for screenless fitness trackers could become uncomfortable for Whoop: Fitbit announced its own style of band at the end of March, and now a trademark filing suggests that Garmin is also pushing into the same segment with a device called “CIRQA”. What’s behind the project – and why the timing is no coincidence for anyone involved.
- Garmin CIRQA: filed as a trademark in February 2026, the device measures physical parameters, recovery, stress levels and performance according to the description
- Screenless or not? Still unclear – Garmin has not yet officially commented, but the tracking profile is clearly based on Whoop’s approach
- Competition from all sides: Fitbit (via Google) has also announced a Whoop-like band, complemented by a Gemini-powered AI coach
- Whoop itself raised 575 million US dollars in March 2026 at a valuation of 10 billion dollars – a clear signal for the market
What the Garmin CIRQA should be able to do
The reports are based on a trademark filing that Gadgets & Wearables discovered in February 2026, supplemented by an inadvertently published and quickly deleted Garmin store page from January. According to the filing, the brand name “CIRQA” – presumably a reference to “Circa” or the Latin “Circadian” for the daily rhythm – describes a device for measuring “physical parameters and physiological data, biosignals and physical behavior patterns”.
At first glance, this sounds like a normal fitness tracker. What sets CIRQA apart from Garmin’s previous products is the explicit focus on “recovery from physical and emotional stress, human alertness and performance” – a formulation that is strongly reminiscent of Whoop’s tracking profile. Whoop has been relying on precisely this granular database for years: heart rate variability, sleep quality, degree of recovery and daily stress management – all recorded, processed and analyzed in the app without the band itself having a display. Whether Garmin CIRQA will also be screenless has not yet been confirmed. Neither an official statement nor technical specifications are available.
Why the market is booming right now
The fact that Garmin and Google are eyeing Whoop at the same time is no coincidence. Whoop closed a financing round of 575 million US dollars in March 2026 and is now valued at 10 billion dollars – a strong signal that the screenless, data-driven tracking concept serves a clearly defined and growing market. The device appeals to two growing user groups: People who are annoyed by display overload, and those who want to optimize their health and athletic performance with the most accurate data possible.
Fitbit – now fully integrated into Google’s hardware ecosystem – hinted at its own Whoop-style band at the end of March, which was presented by Steph Curry. Google is relying heavily on its Gemini-supported AI: the Fitbit “Coach” creates personalized training plans, adapts them in real time to sleep data and recovery values and provides context-related health recommendations via the app. The idea behind this is logical: If the data processing takes place in the cloud and the results are viewed on the smartphone anyway, the tracker does not need its own display. This saves energy, simplifies the design – and opens up new form factors.
Garmin as a serious competitor
If the Garmin CIRQA is actually released, the manufacturer will have considerable advantages. Garmin is considered one of the most reliable providers of precise biometric tracking – heart rate, SpO₂, sleep phases, stress index and HRV are already standard on current models. In addition, there is a loyal user base, especially among endurance athletes and outdoor enthusiasts who already know and appreciate the Garmin ecosystem and Connect app. A specialized band focused on recovery and performance optimization would complement this offering without cannibalizing the existing smartwatch line.
Conclusion
Whether Garmin CIRQA will actually come to market as a Whoop competitor is not yet confirmed – however, trademark-filing and a data breach clearly point in this direction. Together with Fitbit’s announced band and Google’s AI Coach, a serious headwind for Whoop is emerging. Pricing and availability for Garmin CIRQA are still unknown. Given Garmin’s usual pricing, the band, if released, is likely to be positioned in the 150 to 300 euro range – in direct competition with Whoop’s subscription model starting at 239 euros per year.
Source: AndroidAuthority
