Runtastic gets the fitness into your basic timekeeper

The smartwatch may well be the watch of the future, but not everyone cares about a second screen on their wrist. Runtastic is approaching the smartwatch differently, making the smarts more about staying fit while still being able to tell the time.

That’s the general idea being put forth via Runtastic, which has predominantly been a software company making apps for your phone to track your health, but now is working with its own hardware.

In fact, the first piece of hardware to come from the Adidas-owned company will be fitness gadgets made for your wrist, but there’s a good chance they don’t look like any other fitness gadget you’ve seen prior, and that’s because of one basic reason: Runtastic’s gadgets look like watches.

Forget what you know about the digital-specific smartwatch or the fitness bands put out by numerous companies, because Runtastic’s approach has more in common with a conventional analogue watch, at least from the looks.

The moment you set eyes on any of the Moment range being put out by the company, you’ll be thinking of a standard watch. Not a smartwatch and not a fancy watch, but just a watch, and a watch designed for every day life.

Runtastic Fun
Runtastic Fun

And that’s kind of what it is, with a fitness tracker built inside the watch capable of tracking steps and activities, talking to an app made for iOS and Android that will tell you distance travelled, duration of your activity, calories burned, and even tell you a bit about your sleep, using the movement tracker to determine how good a rest you’re getting.

“Over the past few years, we have seen the majority of players in the health and fitness space – Runtastic included – try to address the needs of users with a diverse array of tracking devices,” said Florian Gschwandtner, CEO and Co-founder of Runtastic.

“Looking at the products currently available, we strongly felt there was a large gap between fashion and functionality. Therefore, we developed the Runtastic Moment to be an all-encompassing device that is easy to use, aesthetically pleasing and habit-forming.”

Runtastic Elite
Runtastic Elite

The design is simple enough, though, and as mentioned before exists in a watch. There’s a degree of waterproofing applied to this watch, making it waterproof up to 100 metres, letting you swim and shower with it on, and there’s no charging either, thanks to the Runtastic Moment relying on a long-lasting lithium battery.

Perhaps most interesting about the range we’re seeing from Runtastic is how equal the devices are, because whether you spend $210 or $280 — and these are roughly your cost choices — you’re still getting the same device, just with a choice how the product has been dressed up.

For instance, if you opt to spend less, you’ll find either the Runtastic Moment Fun or Runtastic Moment Basic, both of which offer the same tracking technology in a design made to be simple and youthful, with bright colours and a focus more on that simplicity.

Runtastic Basic
Runtastic Basic

If you want something designed to be more robust with scratch-resistant glass and steel casings, the more premium Runtastic Moment and Runtastic Moment Classic are more suitable, though again, we’re just talking about design changes, because what’s on the inside stays the same across the range.

“We’re eager to connect with individuals who prioritise ease of use with convenience and style,” said Gschwandtner.

“A watch is the most common piece of jewellery for men and women, and we’re excited to provide our community with a top-quality product that allows them to simultaneously look great and collect interesting – potentially life-changing – data.”

Runtastic Classic
Runtastic Classic

Pricing for the Runtastic Moment range sits at either $209.95 for the Basic or Fun editions, while the Elite and Classic variations can be found for $279.95, with all models found in stores across the country now.