Weekly Fitness Must-Have: the Fitbit Alta
Today, let’s talk about fitness trackers!
Soooooo I’ve tried out quite a few fitness trackers in my day. 🙂 Here are my reviews of the Fitbit Flex, Polar A360, Fitbit Charge, and Polar Loop.
My current favorite tracker of the group:
For the past few months, I’ve been using and loving the Fitbit Alta.
One of the things that instantly stood out to me was its smaller size. I have freakishly small wrists, and it seems like all fitness trackers are larger because of their data capabilities. I was stoked to see something that was just as insightful, in a smaller size. It doesn’t look as obvious with casual clothes, and provides the same helpful information.
Fitbit Alta Capabilities
-Step tracking. I try to get at least 10k steps every day, and wearing the Alta helps me to stay mindful of my activity level. If I’m wearing it, I’ll remember to take the dogs out for their walk. Chasing the kiddos around and teaching fitness classes helps me to hit that 10k goal.
-Sleep tracking. I haven’t used this much lately, mostly right now I feel like ignorance is bliss. It does provide some helpful info about sleep (like how many times you’re restless during the night), and can help to encourage healthier sleep habits. I’ve just been going to bed way too late lately, and am trying to get back on track.
-You can Bluetooth your phone to your tracker, so you can read texts on your wrist. Pretty amazing!
-It also provides active minutes, approximate calories burner, distance, and time (<— kind of necessary haha).
I mostly use the tracker for steps. While it isn’t completely accurate -sometimes it thinks I’m running while I’m bouncing P. Totally fine with me- it’s a good way to gauge activity levels and compare previous totals. For example, you’ll know what your approximate daily level is, so if that number dips, it’s a nice reminder to kick it up a little. The same goes the opposite way. If your number is unusually high, and you find yourself hangry and exhausted, it’s a good indicator that you may need to slow things down a little.
Do you use a fitness tracker? What’s your favorite one? Do you use any fitness or health apps on your phone? This has nothing to do with this post, but one of my favorites is the iPeriod app. I started using it to track my cycles before we were pregnant with Liv, and it’s consistently accurate.
Have a wonderful morning <3
xoxo
G
*Heads up: not a sponsored post, and I paid for the Alta with my own dinero.
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I just got a Fitbit Alta too! It’s my first activity tracker and I love that it keeps me from sitting too long. My only frustration is that I find mine isn’t very reactive, sometimes I struggle to get the watch face to come on when I flick my wrist or tap the screen.
yes, i have to flick my writs pretty enthusiastically
Ohh good to know! I’ve been looking to pick up another fitness tracker! Thanks for the review!
I’ve used a FitBit for years like so many years that it’s probably going to die on me soon and then I will have a funeral because I’m so attached to the thing. I have the one that goes on my waist. I don’t like the arm ones because they’re not as accurate and I like my arms to have pretty jewelry on them. 😉
I have a Fitbit Charge, but I’m hoping to upgrade to the Alta. I had a Misfit for a while, but no one else had one , so I couldn’t participate in fun challenges!
I asked for one of these for my birthday because I love the HR, but it’s big for wearing around the office and I want to get my text notifications on it, I hate being tethered to my phone. Plus the bands are super cute and I heard that Tory Burch is going to design more for this one.
Any advice for cleaning the band? Mine is the teal one and it shows every nasty thing. I’ve tried washing it with soap but it does nothing.
i just use the honest multipurpose spray on it
so excited for the tory bands!
Someone gifted me a Fitbit about a month ago. I’ve been getting very different readings between my phone that auto tracks steps steps and the Fitbit. It’s kind of frustrating because I think the Fitbit is taking too long to register that I’m walking and it’s missing those steps.
that’s interesting. i usually stick with one mode because if you compare between two, they’re usually off
I have both a Fitbit Zip and a Fitbit Surge. I like the Zip a lot and the Surge is just okay. I think its heart rate function is not as accurate as other wrist monitors (I really like my MIO alpha). I go in streaks with the Fitbit usage because I find myself eventually getting obsessive about step counts – and then I know it’s time to take break. I’m on a 2 week Fitbit hiatus right now. Overall I do really like them though.
i take breaks here and there, too because i get sick of wearing it. it’s nice to wear again to see how activity levels are doing
I have it and I love that it vibrates when my phone rings. I am always missing calls when my phone is in my purse or I have the ringer turned off. It’s great!
yes, i forgot it could do that!
Most activity meters are more or less off, so I’d stick with competing with yourself. Of course you can compete with friends on, for instance, who hits their own goal on most days in a row. Funnily we were just talking about this at work. I also have a new-to-me activity meter, but then again I am a serial offender too: this is my… I think fifth or sixth one… For walking with someone who has a different activity meter you can get wildly different stats and for most people this is not very encouraging. Especially with wrist worn devices that can take every wave of hand when talking lively about something… My biggest ever goal hit was when I went to a concert and clapped for a couple of hours straight…
hahah that is hilarious. it always thinks i’m running when i’m frantically washing dishes 😉
I love using my Fitbit!! Agree with the ignorance is bliss with sleep!!
hahah amen to that. we don’t need to know right now
I’ve been using the Alta since June and I’m a big fan as well! I switched over from the Jawbone Up, and it’s so much nicer to see your progress on a screen rather than having to check your phone to see steps, etc. The only thing I’m not as crazy about is that it doesn’t track distance for a specific workout, but it’s not a deal breaker since I can use my old Garmin or phone/iPod to track that.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Tory Burch comes out with a new line of accessories for the Alta!!
yes, i hope she does too!!
I ordered a Caeden Sona a few months ago (it isn’t on the market yet) and am waiting for it to be delivered from the manufacturer. I’m very excited to finally have a tracker! And the Sona is BEAUTIFUL.
just googled- LOVE it
Hi Gina. I’ve noticed that the links to previous/next posts at the bottom of your posts have disappeared. I use that to navigate between posts, so just thought I’d mention it. Thanks!
I just noticed that too! Those do make it easier to navigate the blog!
thank you for letting me know! just emailed to see if we can get it fixed 🙂
thank you so much for letting me know! hopefully will be fixed by tonight
Hi!
I have used in past FitBit Flex and Jawbone UP3 and now the FitBit Blaze. Two first ones are great for step counting, but they don’t measure your pulse and that is a must for me. I realized some moment that without knowing how my body reacts to differents excersizes or activities, it’s kinda hard to measure the effectiveness of my trainings. So I went for FitBit Blaze and I’m really pleased with that!
With best,
Kiks / http://www.imfit.eu
good to know! that’s one of the few i haven’t tried haha
First and foremost Happy Birthday to your nana! It is my birthday also and I find it completely ironic that my dear coworkers bought me a fitbit alta for my birthday today! I love reading your blog always, but today between Nana’s bday and the fitbit I feel like you’re writing directly to me.
ahhh no way! happy birthday to you! 🙂
what fun coincidences. i hope you’re having a wonderful day!! xoxo
Thanks for this review! I have been thinking about getting the Alta, but was concerned about the size. I, too, have super small wrists and was wondering if it’d be too large. Hubs got me a Charge HR for my bday last year, and its awesome, but huge on my wrist and is really noticable. Do you feel like the Alta fits pretty well with bracelets, etc, without looking weird?
yep! i wear it with bracelets all the time 🙂 it’s way smaller than the charge
I have a FitBit Charge, I love it! It has really helped me stay more active. I love that I can measure and compare the intensity of my workouts.