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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I’ve been eyeing the Apple Watch! I love just how much it can do. This review definitely just got me even more excited to eventually get one!*
Ok this is awesome!!! ????
I have the Fitbit charge HR and like it but I am dyingggg to try the Apple Watch! ??I am a yoga instructor too and have heard you can adjust the music from your phone playlist on your watch?! That is too good! ??
I have a fitbit one and would like to upgrade. An apple watch would be amazing! *
OMG, I’ve read this post like 4 times. Commented yesterday but have no idea why everyone is including an * in their comment, lol.
I would love an Apple watch to help me just leave my phone alone! I’d love to know when I get a text without constantly looking at the phone screen. I feel like it takes so much away from time with my kiddos. *
I have a very basic Fitbit and the Apple Watch sounds so much cooler haha! *****
I have been wanting an apple watch but my husband seems to think I don’t need it 🙁
*I use a Fitbit HR. My goal is 7500-10,000 steps a day. I am intrigued by the Apple Watch.
As a yoga instructor, love the Apple option of controlling music *
I loved my fitbit but I was allergic to the material that the bands were made out of. I’ve been looking at the Apple Watch but have yet to bite the bullet and buy one!
Fitbit is more inclined to track your fitness and programmed for it while the Apple watch can be used for it as well but maybe won’t give out as much details? Depending on the app I guess! *
I currently have an Alta, but not the one with the heart rate monitor. Very curious about trying the Apple Watch with that feature. And I think people still say YOLO. I teach at a college and still hear it in the halls … so you are covered! *
I have heard great things about both! *
Tracking my steps definitely helps keep me motivated as well! *
You’re review is not making it easy to resist wanting an Apple Watch! * 🙂
Great review! I have a Fitbit, but have been interested in an Apple Watch for a while now. Thanks for all the helpful info!
I love my fitbit (it’s a charge, not an alta, but I would imagine the alta would fit into my life in a similar way), though I have been toying with the idea of an apple watch for awhile now because they are so sleek and beautiful (and do so much more than fitness tracking). But, I worry an apple watch would be too distracting and might not help me hone in on fitness goals quite as much as my fitbit does. *
Love my Apple Watch but cracked the screen taking it off to bathe my daughter. ??? It has changed how I workout. It also helps me to achieve my daily move goal. I also like that I can see my friends’ movement. This gives me motivation to move more throughout the day.
I don’t use a fitness tracker right now *but it’s something I’ve been looking into for a couple of years*! I had no idea the Apple Watch also functioned as a fitness tracker-that’s so cool. My movement goals as of now are just to get outside every single day. I’ve found that if I’m lacking motivation to actually workout, then just getting myself outside and enjoying the fresh air can help boost my mood and I’m more likely to get active afterwards, whether it’s a hike, a run, or a full gym workout!
I’ve been drooling over the Apple Watch! *
I’d love to try an Apple Watch! The metrics are so pretty and clean. I also love the music aspect of it. Really killing two birds with one stone there.
I’ve been using the Charge HR for a while – I am intrigued by the apple watch but also now that the fitbit ionic is out I want to see that as well. I don’t know if I really need all the bells and whistles though! *
I had one of the early versions of the Fitbit and it had a clunky, ugly black wristband. They are so much nicer now! *
*Need an Apple Watch!!
Thank you so much for this! I’ve been trying to decide which to get!*
I have been wanting to get an Apple watch for so long! Love hearing your opinion on it! *
I want an Apple Watch so bad! Thanks for doing this review! *
I think the music feature makes the Apple Watch the winner!!*
Great comparison! I have been considering getting a fitbit, but have also been tempted by the Apple Watch! *
I like the alta but I think I would love the apple watch!*
I want an apple watch so bad…maybe one day I will bite the bullet and purchase one…
Great post, now I really want an Apple Watch! I wear a Fitbit for my health insurance (points for my HSA) wondering if they have added the Apple Watch as a tracker.*
*Thanks for sharing your perspective, as always! I’ve been using a FitBit Alta, but have been eyeing up the Apple Watch for about a year now. Your review is getting me closer to pulling the trigger. I’m also a coach, so it would be very helpful to have a hands free timing device for training sessions!
** New Years Resolution is to run the Hapalua Half Marathon in Honolulu in April. Debating between investing in an Apple Watch or sticking with the tried and true Garmin Forerunner! **
* I honestly didn’t realize the Apple Watch did so much. I’m not a watch person, but after reading this, COUNT ME IN! *
I have a fitbit separate from my watch and it would be so nice to have a watch that does it all! *
I would love to have an Apple Watch to help me stay active in the tiny pockets of time throughout the day as a full time working mama!*
I’ve been dying to try out any fitness tracker, I like the idea of the Apple Watch making me get up to move or to access texts or music while my phone isn’t on me! *
I currently have a Fitbit Alta* but would sometimes love to have more tracking features!
I love my Fitbit charge 2 but now I want an Apple Watch!*
Love this review/comparison! Definitely pining after the Apple watch :)*
I love my *Alta!
I’d love an Apple watch becuase I think it would help me stay off my phone more. I have a fitbit and I can read text messages, but not reply. It never fails that when I pick up my phone I find myself checking facebook and Insta. My 2018 word is “focus” and the mindless apps definitely don’t help that!
I love my Apple Watch! It’s been perfect for tracking my runs during marathon training. *
* I think the apple watch has a prettier interface but I think Alta is nice because you don’t need an apple phone. *
I had a Fitbit and absolutely loved it, but once I got the Apple Watch I was hooked. I love closing my rings and find that it’s a great source of motivation. I charge it overnight, every night, and that seems to work great for me. *
I have wanted to get either one of these, just don’t have the cash yet. I want to know how much I am burning when I am out walking and starting the couch to 5K app. *
**I use a Polar watch and love it but I’m suuuuper tempted by the Apple Watch too!**
I had a Fitbit that died, and I have been really interested in getting something else. I agree that I pay much better attention to how much movement I’m getting when I’m wearing a tracker. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on both!*
I have an Atla and really like it but have been considering upgrading. I would like one more details for workouts. Plus so many people have said they feel like the Apple Watch helps them break away from their cell phones. Huge goal! The battery life concerns me though. *