Fitness and fashion collide once again but strays away from the usual workout clothes and minimizes down to an active wristband.
The fitness industry has merged together with the fashion world many times to produce bright workout clothes. It’s a team that’s found success in many different venues, but now the combination has produced something that doesn’t cover as much skin as previous collabs. As the New Year rolls in Fitbit, the activity-tracker company has already released new products to the public. Just last month the company introduced the Blaze fitness watch, and now the company presents the new fitness accessory to look for: the Alta.
Comparatively the Alta tracker wristband is quite similar to Fitbit’s other product the Charge, however the main difference is all in the eye of the beholder. Both bands cost the same $129, and provide the same services of monitoring steps, workouts, and sleep cycles. The Alta also provides extra, such as sending alerts to the wearer when inactive. The “Smart Track” feature recognizes specific physical activities done by the wearer and then caters to the data received from the exercise. This comes in handy for athletes since certain practices like running, kicking a soccer ball, or even playing basketball are all exercises but cause people to exert energy in different ways. But one drawback is that the Alta has a shorter battery life than the Charge, causing one to question the need to pick the former over the latter. But the main attraction of the new fitness wristband comes from the aesthetic appeal, specifically the visual aesthetics.
The new Alta band is slimmer than previous products and comes with customizable bands. There are the standard colored plastic band options, but for an extra price customers can also buy metal or leather accessories to go with the new Fitbit. It is also the company’s most affordable product with an OLED display and is more tap sensitive. The Alta is the low-key fashionable accessory for those who want something to wear daily without the look of a large fitness band around their wrist. This decision for a more fashionable look comes after the mixed reviews about the look of the Blaze, which shows similarities to the Apple Watch. The rest of the features of the band are standard to what Fitbit offers, but are less intensive on the physical activity. This goes along with the casual look of the band.
Although some have come out to say this isn’t the most fashionable option among the fitness bands offered, it is clear Fitbit is attempting to fix the problems with their products’ stagnant looks. But no matter the reviews the new bands will be shipping out in March, and with a recognizable brand like Fitbit it is bound to make a splash in sales.
With experience from the Alta, perhaps Fitbit will venture further into the fashion world to provide the public a true accessory/jewelry like fitness tracker.