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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Your comment about the battery life was interesting – this is probably the single biggest disincentive for me with “smart” watches. When will someone make an automatic smart watch that can recharge from all the movement we do while exercising? **
I haven’t had either, I have a garmin, but the Apple watch seems like a great reminder to stay active throughout the day!*
I really like having a tracker and having goals to hit – bonus if it can tell the time or I can get a text message! *
I like my Fitbit, but having an iPhone, I have wanted to try the *Apple Watch!
Thanks for taking the time to compare both products and provide such an informative review. I am leaning toward an Apple Watch after reading your notes! Happy New Year! Your blog has been a great source of encouragement and positivity for me and my fitness journey!*
My brother in law has the Apple Watch and raves about it. My mom received the new Alta for Christmas and can’t stop talking about it! Looks like a win win either way. I have a fit bit charge and it’s out of date but it definitely keeps me moving when I’ve been sitting at my desk too long. *
*Your rose gold Apple watch is so pretty! I’m also a huge fan of fitness trackers because they’re so motivating.
I have been eyeing the Apple Watch* Thanks for the thoughtful review!
I’ve used the Fitbit in the past, but would love to try the Apple watch. I try for 10K steps per day:) *
*you can just do so much more with the Apple watch!
I would love to try the Apple Watch! *
The Apple Watch looks pretty cool*
I have one of the original FitBits, and it just annoyed the heck out of me. I could rock in my rocking chair, and it would count it as steps. Hah! *
*I have been coveting an apple watch for quite some time now! (My husband always asks me why I think I *need* one and I’ve never really had a great answer except, ‘because I do’. Now- thanks to this post- I have multiple reasons why I need one ready to go for the next time he asks:).
I love that you can adjust volume for your phone from the watch – this would be so handy when teaching! Occasionally as I’m teaching my barre class, I’ll need to pause the music momentarily to explain a move in the upcoming track and it would be so much easier, convenient, and frankly, professional, to do it from my watch as oppose to running to the sound system to pause my phone!*
As a new mom (for the third time) I totally agree, sleep tracking is SO depressing! *But that apple watch does seem awesome!*
Love this review! * I’ve been eyeing both trackers and am torn!
I’ve been trying to decide on Apple Watch vs Garmin. Curious about something that my husband can use to track me while I run alone in the mornings before the sun comes up since he had an android and I have an iPhone! Thanks for the insight on the Apple Watch! *
This was so helpful, as I’ve been shopping around for the right smart watch! Music is key for a good workout, especially long runs. *
You’ve rekindled my desire for an Apple Watch*
I’d love to try the apple watch*
I’ve been meaning to get a new fitness tracker of some sort!*
My husband has an Apple Watch and loves it…I’ll admit I’m a tiny bit jealous!! *
I want an Apple Watch sooo badly but I haven’t been able to take the plunge. This might be the push I needed! *
I’ve already told you about a million times already, but I’m really excited for WSU! I wear an old school FitBit but would love to upgrade to a newer fitness tracker, especially one with the HR monitor. *
Love the look of the iwatch!
I previously had a Motorola smartwatch that I adored, but the battery started to dwindle, so I switched to a Fitbit Blaze last spring. I love that it’s still a Fitbit, but with many of the features of a smartwatch (texts, emails, music, etc.). With a pretty sedentary desk job, I love any extra motivation to get steps in wherever I can! *
* I laughed out loud at your comment about tracking sleep! I have a 9 month old at home and the sleep struggle is real. She slept through the night last night, and I woke up at 5 a.m. and just HAD to make sure she was still alive. Of course she was alive … AND awake after I checked on her. ???
I also feel like fitness trackers can be quite motivating! I’m a very goal-oriented person, so having a step/activity goal helps me move even when I’m not 100% feeling it!*
I currently have a fitbit flex 2 but I’m interested in trying an Apple watch *
I am a Fitbit lover because of the battery life! However I feel like an Apple Watch is practical for every use every day. Still not sure which one I’d prefer. I would probably never buy an Apple watch for myself but I would love to win* one!!!
I just bought my mother in law the Alta for Christmas. She was afraid the Apple Watch was too big for her.****
I love the idea of completing the rings! I’m usually a numbers kind of girl, but a different and more colorful display would be much more fun than the one on my current health-insurance issued step counter! *
* I didn’t think it would be that hard to hit 10k a day with a toddler but it is!! * I’m glad I’m not the only one
* I got a Fitbit Ionic for Christmas, with the offer to replace it with another tracker if I wanted. I’m still trying it out and seeing what I’ll do!
I’ve been dying for a newfitness tracker myself! I don’t have an iPhone so I’ve been eyeing the new fitbits that have similar functions to the apple watch*
*Thank you for the review, it is really helpful because I never really got the hype about the Apple Watch. It seemed like just another gadget from Apple and I never really thought of it as a tracker. I use the Garmin vivoactive HR but I feel like it is too big. I love everything that it does but it feels just too bulky for my wrist. My current goal is to get 10k steps a day as well.
I have a Charge 2 but would love to try the Alta*!
I liked reading your review on the two. I haven’t been able to pull the trigger on an Apple watch yet. *
I got my husband an apple watch for Christmas and now I want one! **
I’ve been wanting to try the Apple Watch, just haven’t pulled the trigger yet*
* I have an Alta but have been eyeing the Apple Watch for a while. I almost bit the bullet and bought myself one as a Christmas gift to myself, but couldn’t justify it since my Alta still does the trick
* I have the fitbit Flex 2 but I bet the Apple watch’s features are very useful to have. *
I have been wanting to try one of the newer Garmins, but now I kinda want to try the Apple watch! *
Im a fitbit lover myself, although Ive always enjoyed the charge more than the alta. However I heard wonderful things about the apple watch!**
I love that the Apple Watch is water proof and you can dress it up or down!! ****
I would love to try an Apple watch!*
*I have the Fitbit Charge 2 but I feel like it’s too big. Hoping to upgrade to the Apple Watch soon.
I haven’t been loving my fitbit anymore (I have a big clunky one) so would love to win! *
I’ve never been sure I wanted an Apple Watch, but I have an iPhone, and in addition to fitness tracking, I love the idea of not having to look at my phone for calls/texts.*
I love the Fitbit but want an Apple Watch! I’ve been waiting for the right time. Great review! *