I was soooo happy that so many of y’all participated in my Instagram story poll this week where I asked you to send me questions that you have about Apple Watches! I’ve been wanting to write this post for a while because I often get questions about my watch/watch band, so I thought it would be easiest to put it all in one post for you. “Everything you need to know” about Apple Watches is kind of a loose title for this post – of course there’s always more you can know and learn, but this is everything I think you need to know if you’re considering purchasing an Apple Watch yourself!
Here’s how this is going to work: I’m going to tell you which watch I have and why I like it, then I’m going to dive into your questions in a Q&A format at the end of the post! Let’s get to it.
PS – The pictures in this post are from last weekend when Rudd and I drove the Blue Ridge Parkway! It was SO much fun and it made me reallyyyy want the fall season to get here quickly. (It was only 60 degrees up on top of the mountains!) Don’t be surprised if I only start posting about fall outfits from now on ?
Crew Neck Sweatshirt • $15
New Balance Coast v4 Shoes • $64.95
New Balance Impact 3 Shorts • $45
Vachetta leather apple watch® strap • $68
My story with Apple Watches started almost 2 years ago when I got my Series 2, 38mm Apple Watch with an aluminum case for Christmas in 2016. I honestly didn’t really know what I was getting into, but I knew that I wanted one! What could be better than answering phone calls, receiving/sending texts, tracking your workouts, and using your GPS right on your wrist?? Since then, I’ve absolutely fallen in love with mine and it’s one of my favorite things I own.
With all of that said, I need to clue you in on a little piece of info: When Apple came out with the Series 3 Watch earlier this year, they discontinued the Series 2 version because it was so similar…so now your options are either a Series 1 or a Series 3 Watch. Like I said, the Series 3 has all of the same features as a Series 2! It just has a longer battery life, brighter screen, and other minor upgrades. I would personally recommend the Series 3 over the Series 1 for two reasons: The Series 3 Watch is waterproof (you can swim with it on) and it holds charge for a much longer time! It’s processor is also much faster and the screen is shatterproof. My Series 3 Watch is currently 15% off at Macy’s right now until 8/26 – shop it while you can!!
As far as my Apple Watch band goes, I have two different ones that I wear consistently. The first one is my white rubberized sports band that I wear when I workout or when I’m swimming. It’s super easy to clean no matter your activity! Last year I invested in a more “fashionable” everyday watch band from Kate Spade. It’s made out of tan leather and has held up really well! (You’ve probably noticed I wear it in almost all of my photos.) It comes in black as well if that’s more your speed.
Q: Should I get my Watch with or without cellular data?
The cellular data feature is something that is only available with the Series 3 Watch. This means that you can use your Watch just like you use your phone! (AKA – receive/make calls, texts, e-mails even when you are away from your phone.) This feature isn’t necessary for me because I’m rarely without my phone! You can do the same things with your Watch without cellular data if your phone is within a short distance from you. For people who may be away from their phones often (I.E., the next question), cellular data may be right for you.
Q: Which one is best for running long distances?
The Series 3 Watch with cellular data capability would definitely be ideal for this. This would eliminate the need to take your phone with you because you’ll be able to make calls/send texts with your Watch and stream your music! The waterproof feature would also come in handy in case you’re a long distance swimmer or something super athletic like that.
Q: What are your favorite Apple Watch bands?
My favorites are the original sports band from Apple (comes in lots of colors!) and Kate Spade’s leather watch band.
Q: Is it better than a Fitbit?
Ahhh the age old question. I honestly cannot give good information on this because I’ve never used a Fitbit. However, I do know that a Fitbit cannot make calls/send texts/give me Instagram notifications and for those reasons I must say that Apple Watches are better than Fitbits.
Q: How accurate is the health information?
SO ACCURATE it’s actually scary. I can only say this because I was really curious one time and did a pretty in depth experiment. Okay so it was actually very simple, but I walked around my house and counted my steps while I watched my Watch track them – the number was exactly the same! For those concerned about heart rate/calorie count accuracy, I once took a Barre class with a girl wearing a heart rate monitor strapped around her chest to track her calorie burn. We swapped info after class and everything was the same! I trust my Watch’s health data more than anything.
Q: What do you use your Apple Watch for the most?
I use my Watch most often to track my workouts and to check my texts. It’s so nice that even if my phone is sitting in another room of my house, or if I’m in a meeting or conversation where I don’t want to pull out my phone, all I have to do is turn my wrist towards myself to read the incoming text! The Watch gives you a tiny little vibration to let you know you’re receiving a text.
Q: How does it track your exercise? I.E. steps, heart rate.
Apple Watches track your exercise by monitoring both your steps and your heart rate. For example, if you’re on a run, it tracks both of those to tell you how many calories you burned and how many steps you took. But, if you’re taking a spin class, it’s only going to monitor your heart rate to tell you how many calories you burn because spinning doesn’t count as actual steps. However, the “fitness rings” on the Watch actually monitor Movement, Exercise, and Standing. Exercise counts as anything that elevates your heart rate, and Movement counts as any time you actually move your body, even if its walking into another room.
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