
Fitbit's Alta HR is an update to the original Alta, adding heart rate sensors to the bracelet-like activity tracker. The Alta HR has advanced sleep-tracking functions, monitoring deep, light, and REM sleep, as well as the time awake, and providing a breakdown of overall sleep quality. The device uses accelerometer data, an algorithm, and heart rate variability to estimate sleep stages and track the duration of each sleep phase. While the sleep tracking feature has been found to be inconsistent at times, it generally provides more detailed insights into sleep patterns and their impact on overall health.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Sleep tracking | Tracks sleep stages (REM, light, deep) and time awake |
Sleep insights | Provides insights and advice on sleep habits and overall health |
Sleep goals | Allows users to set sleep goals |
Silent alarms | Wakes up users with a silent alarm |
Heart rate monitor | Tracks heart rate throughout the day and during sleep |
Calorie-burn estimates | Provides more accurate estimates of calories burned |
Resting heart rate | Provides users with their resting heart rate |
Target heart rate zones | Allows users to view target heart rate zones |
Water-resistant | Water-resistant enough to withstand rain, sweat, and light splashes |
Battery life | Up to 5 days of battery life |
What You'll Learn
Fitbit Alta HR's sleep tracking capabilities
The Fitbit Alta HR is a slim fitness wristband that has been refreshed with a heart rate monitor and longer battery life. It is one of three devices to get Fitbit's forthcoming sleep-tracking features. The update will allow the Alta HR to detect light, deep, and REM stages of sleep. This is a significant improvement from previous Fitbit trackers, which could only monitor the number of times wearers woke up throughout the night, the amount of time they spent awake, and the times at which they fell asleep and woke up.
The Alta HR's sleep-tracking capabilities are made possible by its ability to tap into heart rate variability as a source of information. This allows the device to estimate what stage of sleep the wearer is in and track how long they stay in each phase. The data is presented in the form of a colourful, detailed sine-like wave graph. The device also provides wearers with Sleep Insights, which are tidbits of information and advice around sleep that are geared towards the individual wearer. For example, Fitbit users sleep 15 minutes more in the winter.
The Alta HR is geared towards providing basic activity tracking, such as steps taken, distance covered, and calories burned. It also provides the usual move reminders if the tracker detects that the wearer has been sedentary for too long. The heart rate monitor will also deliver the wearer's resting heart rate, which is a good indicator of overall cardiovascular health.
The Alta HR has a narrower footprint than Fitbit's flagship Charge tracker, giving it a more sleek and stylish design. It is water-resistant and comfortable to wear, with a watch buckle that makes it easier to fasten. The Fitbit Alta HR is a comprehensive sleep and activity tracker that provides valuable insights into the wearer's sleep patterns and overall health.
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Sleep Stages and Sleep Insights
The Fitbit Alta HR is geared towards the basics of tracking your steps, distance covered, and calories burned. It also has a heart rate monitor that provides more accurate calorie-burn estimates. The device also provides continuous heart rate reading during exercises, such as running, to tell you how hard you are working and which heart rate zone you are training in.
The Alta HR has advanced sleep-tracking functions that monitor light, deep, and REM sleep. It also tracks the number of times you wake up throughout the night, the amount of time spent awake, and the times at which you fall asleep and wake up. The sleep tracking feature is called Sleep Stages, and it is also available on the Blaze and Charge 2 wristbands.
Sleep Insights is another feature that will be available on all Fitbit devices with sleep-tracking features. It provides tidbits of information and advice around sleep that are geared towards the user. For example, it may tell you that Fitbit users sleep 15 minutes more in the winter.
The Alta HR's sleep tracking can be inconsistent. The device may stop tracking your sleep states if you sleep for less than three hours or if your battery level is critically low. It is also important to ensure that the device is positioned correctly on your wrist to get an accurate reading.
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How to track sleep with Fitbit Alta HR
The Fitbit Alta HR is a slim fitness wristband that comes with a heart rate monitor and advanced sleep-tracking functions. It can monitor light, deep, and REM sleep stages, as well as the number of times you wake up throughout the night, the amount of time spent awake, and the times at which you fall asleep and wake up.
To track your sleep with the Fitbit Alta HR, you must wear the device during sleep. Your sleep must be at least three hours long for the device to generate a Snore & Noise Report. The Fitbit Alta HR uses its microphone to register noise levels and snores, but it does not save any audio recordings. The device will then provide a summary of your nightly results in a report.
In addition to the Snore & Noise Report, the Fitbit Alta HR also offers Sleep Stages information. This feature allows you to view your sleep data, including the duration of your sleep, your sleep score, and your sleeping heart rate. To access this information, open the Fitbit app and tap the Sleep Duration tile on the Today tab. From there, you can select the desired week, month, or year to view your sleep stats for that period.
The Fitbit Alta HR also provides Sleep Insights, which offer personalised information and advice about your sleep. For example, it may tell you that Fitbit users sleep 15 minutes more in the winter. The device also has a silent alarm feature, which allows you to set an alarm that will vibrate on your wrist at the specified time without disturbing others.
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Fitbit Alta HR's heart rate monitor
The Fitbit Alta HR is an update to the original Alta that adds heart rate sensors to the bracelet-like activity tracker. The Alta HR is the fourth Fitbit product line to include heart rate sensors, with the Charge, Blaze, and Surge also having them. Fitbit had to develop a new chip to fit its heart rate technology into the tiny Alta wristband, which is 25% smaller than the Charge 2. The heart rate monitor will deliver your resting heart rate, a good indicator of your overall cardiovascular health. The fitter you get, the lower this will become as your cardiovascular system becomes more efficient.
The Alta HR has optical heart rate sensors built into the underside, so it records your heart rate throughout the day. Fitbit will now show you more advanced sleep data in its app. The Alta HR is geared towards the basics: keeping tabs on the steps you take during the day, distance covered, and calories burned. This is all augmented with data from the heart rate monitor, which Fitbit can now use to deliver more accurate calorie-burn estimates. Then there’s continuous heart rate reading during exercise—when running, for example—that will tell you not only how hard you’re working but also which heart rate zone you’re training in.
The Alta HR's sleep stage-tracking tool works by tapping your heart rate variability as a source of information. This lets Fitbit estimate what stage of sleep you enter (REM, deep, or light) and track how long you stay in each phase. Sleep sessions are now broken down into light sleep, deep sleep, REM stages, and time awake, with a breakdown of your overall sleep quality. The Alta HR will also alert wearers on the wrist when it’s time to go to bed in order to meet their sleep goals.
The Fitbit Alta HR is water-resistant, splash-proof, and sweat-proof, but it is not swim-proof. The company cautions against taking it underwater or into the shower. The Fitbit Alta will automatically track your sleep. Just wear it to bed! Use the Fitbit app to manually adjust your sleep or set sleep goals.
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Fitbit Alta HR's accuracy
The Fitbit Alta HR has advanced sleep-tracking functions, which provide deeper analysis of how you're sleeping. The Alta HR is one of three devices to get Fitbit's forthcoming sleep-tracking features, including Sleep Stages, which will allow the device to detect light, deep, and REM sleep stages. This is a significant improvement from previous Fitbit trackers, which could only monitor the number of times users woke up, the amount of time spent awake, and the times at which they fell asleep and woke up.
The Alta HR's sleep-tracking feature works as promised, but its accuracy is hard to verify. While the Fitbit app congratulates users on meeting their sleep goals or encourages them to work towards them, the accuracy of the sleep data is questionable. For example, one user noticed that their sleep-tracking chart for the night did not include any sleep stage information, only movement-based data about how long they had been awake, restless, and asleep. Another user noticed that their recorded sleep time had almost doubled since using the Sleep Stages feature, which may be due to the tracker's reliance on movement to determine whether the user is awake or asleep.
The Alta HR's sleep tracking capabilities are geared towards providing insights and are not 100% accurate. It is important to note that the Fitbit Alta HR is not a medical device, and its sleep-tracking features should be used for informational purposes only. While the Alta HR can provide valuable insights into your sleep patterns, it may not always provide a completely accurate representation of your sleep.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Fitbit Alta HR has advanced sleep-tracking functions. It can monitor light, deep, and REM sleep stages.
The Fitbit Alta HR uses accelerometer data, heart rate variability, and an algorithm to estimate sleep cycles and stages.
Simply wear the Fitbit Alta HR to bed. You can also set sleep goals and silent alarms using the Fitbit app.
The Fitbit Alta HR's sleep tracking is generally considered accurate and insightful, but it can be inconsistent at times. Factors such as sleep position, battery level, and tracker fit can affect accuracy.