my thoughts on the Apple Watch vs. the Fitbit Alta
Hey hey! How are you? I hope you’re enjoying the day so far. Today, I’m re-sharing this post with updated info – comparing two fitness tools: the fitness alta and the apple watch. They no longer make the Alta, but the Luxe is similar here.
Apple Watch vs. the Fitbit Alta
Something that has helped a lot with my motivation to get moving and stay active throughout the day has been my Apple Watch. I’m a huge fan of fitness trackers – I’ve used multiple Fitbit models, the Tom-Tom Spark 3, Garmins, Polars, I’m kind of a nerd about fitness trackers – and the latest fave is the Apple Watch. It’s sporty but cute enough to wear every day, and the stats and interface are amazing.
When I switched over to the Apple Watch, I’d been wearing a Fitbit for the most part, and most recently the FitBit Alta. I like that the Alta is much smaller than other fitness trackers and it gave me similar stats (plus the heart rate model tracks your heart rate). I’ve been a Fitbit fan for years and have consistently used the Fitbit as an effective way to track my steps and workout stats. I’d been eyeing the Apple Watch for about a year, but wasn’t sure if the cost would be worth switching over.
When we first moved to Valdosta, we attended an auction for Liv’s new school, and on one of the tables was an Apple Watch. I decided to put it into destiny’s hands. A couple of mint juleps later, and lurking around the auction table, I was the proud new owner of an Apple Watch (and a pair of Prada sunglasses. Yolo. <— do people still stay that? hah)
Here’s my review of the Apple Watch vs. Fitbit Alta:
Interface:
The Fitbit interface is simple. It tells you everything you need to know (steps, distance, calories burned) without any extra bells and whistles. If you log into the app, you can also track data on sleep, which can be extremely insightful.
The Apple Watch takes things to the next level. Your goals for the day are split into little circles: move goals (calories burned), standing (I think it’s move for 5 minutes of every hour), and workout (30 minutes of activity per day). It’s SO satisfying to see the circles build throughout the day, and an easy way to glance and check how you’re doing.
Since the Apple Watch is obviously…a watch…you can also change the face to a picture on your camera, or any from their gallery (some of them move, like the jellyfish and butterflies). It’s kind of fun to change the face to Minnie Mouse when we’re at Disney World. 😉
Sleep tracking:
To be totally honest, I haven’t used this feature on the Apple watch. I find that as a mom, sleep tracking is one of the most depressing things ever. Ignorance is bliss.
I did use this while I was wearing the Alta, and it was helpful to see how much deep sleep I was getting vs. light/interrupted sleep.
Battery life:
This is where Fitbit wins. My Alta would easily last a few days, and my Apple Watch lasts about a day and a half. This means I either have to charge it overnight or take a midday charge break, which is kind of annoying.
Workout mode:
The activity tracker is next-level stuff, and one of the reasons I LOVE the Apple Watch. You can select swim, indoor walk, outdoor walk, cycle, spin indoors, or quick start, and it will target your stats based on your activity. It also tracks heart rate, which I find to be pretty accurate. Sometimes when I get super sweaty it slides around my wrist and doesn’t read it quite as well. I like being able to tell it what I’m doing so it can provides more relevant info. For example, if I’m outside, it includes distance and pace on my stats.
Music:
The Fitbit Charge is much more limited in this aspect so it’s one of the huge perks of the Apple Watch. It displays the music I’m currently playing from my phone, and I can adjust the volume. This is SO AWESOME while I’m teaching a class because I can turn the music down for more thorough coaching and increase the volume for an intense part of the workout.
The Apple Watch also syncs my text messages and I can answer the phone from it (and speak into the watch). I find that with these features, I’m not on my phone nearly as much. I’m not constantly checking to see if I have any missed texts or calls.
Design:
They both have their advantages. The Alta (now Luxe) seems more indestructible and is still small and chic. You can swap out the Fitbit bands and make it as fancy as you like.
The Apple Watch looks a little more tech-y, but in the end, it just looks like a pretty watch. I like that you can swap out the wristbands and change the watch face.
Conclusion:
I feel like with anything else, you have to find out what works for you and what you prefer. When I wear a fitness tracker, I feel more motivated to get in small bits of movement throughout the day and really aim to hit those 10k steps. The Alta is a great tracker (and is less expensive than the Apple Watch), and the Apple Watch provides a little more insight, settings, and options. They’re both awesome in their own way, but for now, I’m using and loving the Apple Watch.
Do you use a fitness tracker? What’s your very favorite? What movement goals do you set for yourself each day?
I aim to hit 10k steps – some days it’s super easy and others it’s challenging – and get in my 30 minutes of movement.
xoxo
Gina
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Love the Apple Watch! *
*I love my Alta, but the Apple has lots of cool features. Your review makes me want to switch over*
I definitely miss my fitbt but there are a lot of pros with an apple watch*
Love this comparison! I haven’t tried the Alta but it sounds pretty good. Apple Watch sounds like it has a great mix of features though! *
* Thank you so much for this comparison! I had a Fitbit for a few months last year and it would delete all my steps whenever it synced with my phone, so I stopped wearing it. I’ve been curious about the Apple Watch but not sure if it was worth it. The charging thing is the main thing holding me back, but since I don’t want to wear it to sleep anyway (I’m an awful sleeper), it might be fine to just charge every night.
Thanks for the idea! Definitely getting on the no sugar January bandwagon. It will be so nice to detox from all the added sugar December brought *
*Great info! I have the Fitbit charge 2 but would love the ability to play music also
I’ve been thinking about fitbit with a heartrate tracker for myself, but those pretty circles on the apple watch display….. *heart eyes*! * *
I’ve been so intrigued by the Apple Watch*!
I would *love* to try an Apple Watch!!! They look amazing and would love the motivation to get more steps in.
* I used to use my Fitbit all the time but then got lazy. I like the idea of the Apple Watch because it’s cute and helpful.
I’ve used a Nike Fuelband* for years, but sadly they don’t make it anymore. I’ve been wanting an Apple Watch though!
Love what that watch can do, my only question is….do I have to have an Apple phone to use it?*
I am planning to get a fitness tracker (my first one!*) and there are so many choices! Thanks for this comparison.
** Thank you for the detailed review! This is so helpful and timely for the New Year! **
Love this review! Really helpful, thanks*
I’ve been using a Bellabeat leaf which is super pretty and functional, but I’m becoming a yoga teacher and the ability to control my playlist, etc. on my wrist during class sounds like a GAME CHANGER!! *
Happy New Year!
I recently got a garmin and use it on my outdoor runs but haven’t used a fitness tracker for indoor workouts yet. I like how the apple watch has so many different uses!
* Thanks for your review. I always wondered how the Apple Watch stacked up and if it was worth the money!
* I’m an Apple girl 100%, all my electronically devices are Apple. Have not tried Alta but I received a Fitbit as a gift last year and it was still too big to get a snug fit to track. Ty for your blog. I aim to get in better shape this year and would love to win the Apple Watch
*I have been a Fitbit gal for years also and like it okay but would love an Apple watch but could never justify spending the money. I also strive for 10,000 and love when it vibrates and lights up to let me know that I hit it!
I really need an Apple Watch to help track my workouts! When I ran long distance, I always wore a garmin. Now that I mostly do CrossFit, an apple watch would be so helpful. *
*oerfect timing fornthis post! what are your thoughts on the Fitbit’s workout tracking?
I love my Fitbit Charge Hr, but I’ve been eyeing the *Alta for awhile. I love the extra features on the apple watch! Might be worth getting that instead!
*My Alta has a little crack in the screen somehow? The Apple Watch so far has been much more durable!
* I use the Fitbit Charge 2. It does everything I need it to and I love that I can see who
is calling me and read my text messages on it.
*I loved my Fitbit, but I always wanted to try the Apple Watch!!! The interface seems much nicer.
I’ve been looking at apple watches recently b/c I find that my fitbit kinda gives up on me every 8 months or so! This was a great post comparing the two.
I had one of the original Fitbits and finally made the switch to the *Apple Watch. I love the many features from the stand up alerts to the breathing reminders. The only negative is the battery life.
It’s nice to see a side-by-side review! * I’ve been looking at Apple Watches but felt like I can’t really bite the bullet and buy one while I have a perfectly good Garmin, but in the future, I think it’ll be my next choice!
I always wonder how good the Apple Watch is for running. *
*I have been SERIOUSLY considering an Apple Watch to keep better track now that I’m pregnant AGAIN haha. Thanks for the review!!! <3 hope you're well friend! xoxo
I am a little embarrassed to admit I still use the original FitBit. Haha. It’s still working so I keep on…even though I’d love to try the Apple Watch **
*Love* this post! I have had my FitBit Flex (you know the one with the 5 little dots that blink at you and no real screen haha) for ages. It’s nice for counting calories and sleep patterns but that’s about it. I’ve been wanting to upgrade for awhile and was between an apple watch and another tracker! Looks like the Apple Watch would be the better choice… maybe Santa will come late for me 😉
Whoops – good for counting STEPS not calories. Ain’t nobody got time for dat 🙂
I love this review! I’ve been thinking about getting an Apple Watch for so long, and since it’s my birthday today I think I just might treat myself :). I used the Alta for a while, but I gave up on it. I missed having a tracker that detected HR and it’s just not as pretty as the Apple Watch! *
*I have always wanted to try the Apple Watch. It seems like such good quality and would be a great asset to my fitness regimen.
This review was very helpful! I’ve been curious about the two watches *
I have a fitbit Alta that I really like. And also a Garmin when I run. And I carry my phone for music. Seems like an apple watch would work for all three! *
* Great review! Thanks. I wondered about the Apple Watch vs a Fitbit. I have an Alta and love doing challenges on the Fitbit app but the Apple Watch sounds great!
I don’t have a tracker but I *used to have a plain old Fitbit. It would be nice to have one again. You make the Apple watch sound super appealing. Do you need to have a data plan to use it or have an iPhone?
Love this review * I have been a loyal FITBIT user and am consider changing to AppleWatch.
I’ve thought about getting a fitness tracker but can’t decide which one is better between all of the options!*
I love the accountability you get from fitness trackers!*
*I have a Fitbit Alta that I love. I have had multiple fitbits over the last 6 years, but I’m definitely leaning towards the Apple Watch these days with all the cool w tea technology it can do!
I would love love love an Apple Watch! *
*I thought about asking for the Apple Watch for Christmas, but I wasn’t convinced that I NEED one. Maybe I do 🙂
* I have the polar 360 but both of these seem like fierce competitors!
I have only had a basic Fitbit, but Have been thinking about an *Apple Watch. I think you talked me into it!
An Apple Watch has been on my wish list! Sadly, Santa did not bring it this year *
I bought an Apple Watch for my teenager for Christmas but now maybe I need one too! *
After reading this review, I *really* want an apple watch!!