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 like how the Apple Watch tracks swimming and stores music!
*Thanks for the comparison! I’ve been thinking about getting an Apple watch for a while and this info was really helpful!
I always wear my Garmin and love it for running!! I debated getting the apple watch for Christmas but decided to hold off. I would absolutely LOVE to win the apple watch. I love all the functionalities – one of my goals is to switch up my workouts and keep it fresh. This would help!! Forgot the * 🙂
I aim to hit 10,000 steps but it’s tough some days! Especially in the winter here in NYC! *
This was so helpful…and so not. I’m working toward my first marathon in 2019 (trust me, need the year to prepare) and definitely need a better pacer than my iPhone. I also am ready to peak into how exactly bad my sleep is, so I can work on techniques to make it better. Both seem like they have their own benefits – guess I’ll need to keep researching and find what’s going to be best for me. ****
* I’ve been using the Fitbit One for a few years and like how simple it is. I can also clip it to my bra or pants if I don’t want it to be visible (ie fancy night out or at a wedding… dancing ups my step total for the day by a ton — ha!)
*I like my Fitbit but have always wanted to check out the Apple Watch!
Just based on cuteness alone, I’d go with the Apple watch. Also the Alta seems so small it would be hard to really see what’s going on. I believe the Apple watch is waterproof, which as a mom would be amazing – bath time is basically just a continuous tidal wave 🙂 Obviously a huge price difference, but I think the Apple watch would be worth it!
*
The alta is nice, but I don’t think you get as much function from it. The apple watch just offers more! *
* Literally have a Fitbit Alta HR in my shopping cart at this moment, but I haven’t pulled the trigger. I’d LOVE an apple watch, but its just not in the budget right now. #christmasandbirthdays Trying to get back on track this year and lose those last pounds I’m still blaming on baby 7+ months later…sigh… Thanks for the shot at this!
*I had a very basic fitbit for a while, but I didn’t enjoy it that much. I think if I had an Apple watch or another fitness tracker with more features and a built in screen so I can see progress in real time, I might get more into it! It was also hard to make the fitbit look cute with an outfit, but the Apple watch is so sleek and awesome.*
Eek I forgot this *
I have been using fitbits for a while (most recently the HR) but recently have been interested in upgrading to the apple watch for all of the reasons that you mention. Thanks for the review 🙂
I love the timer on the Apple Watch! ***
Love the comparison reviews! **
I love wearing a fitness tracker. The Apple Watch* makes perfect sense since you can also use it for music and your phone.
Trackers can be so helpful when starting a new goal – and helps to keep you *honest* at all times!
Been wanting a watch tracker for awhile- still have the old school tiny Fit Bit that just tracks steps- and not super accurate:) ***
I so agree on the sleep tracker / ignorance is bliss, since my toddler has decided sleep is the devil. I have a Fitbit, but would love an Apple Watch mostly just so that I could compete with my husband for activity time/steps. *
Such a great post on the fitness trackers. I have had the Fitbit Alta for over a year** and I love it. It motivates me daily to crush the goal of 10k and workout or to be active daily for atleast 30 minutes. I didnt research much about Apple Watch as its too pricey.
This is perfect timing! I didn’t *love* my Fitbit, but I have my eye on an Apple Watch!
I’ve used the Alta and liked it, and am currently using the garmin fr 230 because I like the gps tracking on runs. With the alta, I also had to wear a gps watch or use my phone to track my outdoor runs. The downside of the garmin is that its pretty bulky, especially on my very small wrists. I would love to try the apple watch, it looks sleek and has so many capabilities! *
I love wearing a fitness tracker! I’ve had a fitbit for years, but I’m wanting to try the apple watch too*
I like that the Apple Watch offers phone features! *
* Do you have to have an iPhone to use the Apple watch? I currently have a FitBit Surge and I love it. My husband has the new Ionic and it has a few more features than mine…
I have a Samsung phone so no apple watch for met. I have a Blaze and love it. *I got my daughter, who is a dancer, the apple watch for Christmas and she is in love. I think school is the only time she sits down. lol
See pervious-leabing toward an Apple watch now! :). Oops forgot my ******
* I have done so much research on these watches but never bought one for myself. I think they would be extra motivating for me in 2018! *
Since I am not an Apple Fan, I would love to try a fitness tracker. Hubby got me a Garmin for Christmas years ago but it finally died a few months ago.****
My tracker is a Fitbit Charge 2 and it is great. However, seeing my daughter’s Apple Watch extra features * has been enticing. Would love to try one.
Ignorance IS bliss, but if you do want something for sleep tracking (and a way better wake up), I recommend you try the app Sleep Cycle for iphone – you can use it as an alarm to set a wake up window and it listens to your movements and breathing to wake you up at the point of your sleep cycle where you’re not in deep sleep. It also has gentle wake up sounds that gradually get louder rather than a blaring alarm sound! *
That Apple watch is beautiful. I used to have a Fitbit, but before they got fancy with heart rate monitors, etc. I would love to try an Apple watch!*
I’ve only used a Fitbit a few years ago, which I am so-so about because I found it uncomfortable and ugly, but I’ve also always wanted to check out the Apple watch! *
I’ve been trying to decide if I should get an apple watch or not. Thanks for the thorough review! *
I love my FitBit but have been wanting to try the Apple Watch!* Thanks for your review.
I love the Apple Watch* also! It’s great for keeping me accountable on my daily steps!
I walk to work, I think it’s about 1.5 miles (*maybe?) each way … having an apple watch would be amazing to track how much activity I’m getting! I’m pregnant with my first baby right now and sometimes I’m so exhausted by the end of the day it’s all the exercise I can manage for the day. haha
Have had a Fitbit for years top-level struggling with the cost, but after this really leaning toward an Apple watch!
I have been so curious if the Apple Watch is worth it for workouts, so *thank you* for this review!
I’m ready to take charge of my health and fitness again this year. I find the accountability of a tracker are helpful for keeping me more active. I’ve been know to do jumping jacks and high knees before bed to get *credit* for my 10,000 steps 🙂
I would love a fitness tracker! My daughter was born 8 weeks ago and this would be great for our outings!**
Love these kind of posts!! *
Great comparison of the two! I’ve been wanting to check out the Apple watch *
hahaha – loved the comment about sleep tracking and moms. *sigh – but true… I’ve been flirting with the apple watch for a long, long time. I miss tracking my workouts.
I’ve been using a Garmin for the last few months and love that it has the heart rate monitor on the wrist… but it’s not as cute as the Apple watch! *
I have never used either but would love to try one. Sounds like they are both good options. *sarah
I’ve worn a garmin in the past but I’ve been eyeing the apple watch forever, it seems like the most versatile and best on the market for sure! * Have a great day!
I have a the Jawbone up2….which has pretty much died on me and won’t sync so I need to upgrade to a more reliable fitness tracker to keep me on track in 2018! ***
I used a fitbit regularly for 2 years but then it broke and I never got a new one. I think this post makes me want to check out the Apple watch and all the cool features! *
Love the comparison! I got a really cheap fitness tracker, and as expected it doesn’t do much. I need one that does more!*
Do you have the waterproof Apple Watch? I’m trying to decide if it’s worth it to get that version. I always left my FitBit on, but I don’t know how I’d feel about leaving an Apple Watch on while showering or in the pool. Thoughts? **