Is Fitbit Alta HR waterproof?
Best Answer: No, the Fitbit Alta HR is not waterproof. It is only water resistant, which means it's able to withstand rain, splashes, and sweat. It is recommended that users remove the Fitbit Alta HR before going swimming or showering. If the Fitbit Alta HR gets wet or if you sweat a lot with it in, then it should be removed and the band needs to dry out completely before placing it back on your wrist.Amazon: Fitbit Alta HR ($128)
That's a bummer! So what is the Alta HR good for?
Even though you can't use the Alta HR for your swims or even in the shower, it's still a great activity tracker. Like other Fitbit devices, you can keep track of how many steps you take in a day, see burned calories and exercise, your sleeping habits, and much more. Plus, if you have other friends who use Fitbit, you can challenge them and see who can be more active.
Another thing that's great about the Alta HR is the fact that it has continuous heart rate monitoring thanks to PurePulse technology. This tech means that there's a green LED light on the back of the tracker, and this constantly flashes to reflect off of your skin and detect changes in blood flow. This data is then used to determine the number of beats per second for you, and it works best when it's directly on your skin.
The Alta HR monitors your heart rate 24/7, so if you want to make note of any irregularities, this is a great tracker to do the job. Plus, it's stylish and sleek.
But I wanted to swim with a fitness tracker. What are my options?
While the Fitbit Alta HR is not waterproof, the company does manufacture a few trackers that are waterproof, not just water resistant. However, keep in mind that some of the alternatives may not have PurePulse, so you won't get continuous, automatic heart rate tracking like with the Alta HR.
If you are okay with a waterproof alternative, Fitbit has the following options: Versa ($200), Flex 2 ($60), and Ionic ($300).
Fitbit Versa is a health and fitness smartwatch that will last over four days on a single charge. It does have 24/7 heart rate, and it allows you to listen to music sans phone, have apps, coaching, and more.
Flex 2 is a simple and barebones fitness band that's super slim and barely noticeable. It's swim-proof, and can even withstand chlorine and salt.
Ionic is another smartwatch from Fitbit. It offers fitness guidance, health insights, music storage, apps, continuous heart rate monitoring with PurePulse, and more.
Some of those options also use PurePulse but they're waterproof. Why is the Alta HR not capable of being waterproof?
Honestly, we don't know why Fitbit did not make the Alta HR waterproof. The Versa and Ionic both use PurePulse technology as well and are able to be submerged in water, so it's a mystery why the same treatment was not applied for the Alta HR.
Sleek and stylish heart rate monitoring
The Fitbit Alta HR is a stylish activity and fitness tracker that also monitors your heart rate 24/7. It is also capable of receiving call, text, and calendar notifications from your phone, and you can change out the bands to match your mood.
Minimalist fitness tracker
The Flex 2 is a simplistic and barebones activity tracker that you can take for a swim, even in chlorine and salt. It will also alert you to incoming calls and texts.
Smart watch for everyone
Fitbit Versa is a smart watch that features continuous heart rate monitoring with PurePulse technology and lasts over four days on a single charge. It monitors all of your activity and sleep, and can receive alerts for incoming phone calls, texts, and calendar events. You also get phone-free music and coaching.
The most advanced Fitbit yet
The Ionic does everything the Versa does, but better. It also has battery life of five days and built-in GPS, so you don't need your phone at all to track where you've exercised. It also has 24/7 heart rate monitoring with PurePulse.
