Readiness Score

What is a readiness score?

Readiness and recovery scores are proprietary composite metrics calculated by wearable manufacturers to summarize your physiological state in a single number. They are not a standardized clinical metric — each company uses different inputs, different weightings, and different scales. They cannot be directly compared across devices.

What they have in common: all readiness scores attempt to quantify the balance between accumulated physiological stress and recovery, using measurable biomarkers as proxies.

Oura Ring — Readiness Score (0–100)

Oura interprets scores as: 85–100 = Optimal, 70–84 = Good, below 70 = Pay attention.

Whoop — Recovery Score (0–100%)

Whoop calculates recovery from four variables during sleep: HRV, resting heart rate, respiratory rate, and sleep performance (including duration and consistency). HRV is the primary driver — Whoop weights HRV more heavily than Oura. The green/yellow/red categories correspond to >67%, 33–67%, and <33%.

Garmin — Body Battery (0–100)

Garmin's Body Battery charges and drains like a battery metaphor. It charges during sleep based on HRV-weighted sleep quality assessment. It drains during the day based on heart rate, stress scores (derived from HRV), and activity intensity. Body Battery is a running throughout-the-day score rather than a single morning readiness snapshot.

Limitations of composite scores

• Algorithms are proprietary and subject to change via firmware updates
• Scores can be gamed by wearing the device loosely or manipulating inputs
• Individual components (HRV, RHR) are more interpretable than composite scores
• Not validated against clinical outcomes in peer-reviewed literature
• Nocebo effect: very low scores can negatively affect perceived energy and performance independent of physiology