5 DIY Ways to Transform Your Fitness Tracker

updated May 3, 2019

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Wearables like the Apple Watch, Fitbit, and UP by Jawbone can change your life in high-tech ways, from encouraging lots of steps and tracking your sleep to sending calendar alerts directly to your wrist. Thanks to their tech-y designs, however, they don’t generally come dressed properly for your chic arm party.

Stylish options are becoming more available: Tory Burch’s collaboration with Fitbit, for example, and the fashion-fave (and pricey) smart bangle MICA, made by Opening Ceremony and Intel. You can also now buy all kinds of charms and covers on Etsy to dress them up.

Still, the most affordable, creative way to go is to make over your wearable on your own, since you’ll be able to customize the design to reflect your unique personal style. Check out these five DIY blogger examples with easy-to-follow tutorials, below, for instant inspiration.

(Pro tip: Take a walk to the craft store to get your supplies and you’ll even rack up steps on the way.)

(Image credit: Mom Advice)

1. Hide it in a Cool Leather Cuff

Mom Advice’s creation comes with boho flair and is arguably the most fashion-forward of the bunch.

(Image credit: My So Called Crafty Life)

2. Add Studs

Get a little punk rock with studs and spikes, a la My So Called Crafty Life.

(Image credit: Downward Facing Chihuahua)

3. Give it a Tribal Print

A Sharpie Paint Pen is basically all you’ll need to decorate your band like Downward Facing Chihuahua, and you can get creative with a print that works for you.

(Image credit: Fit Body Nourish)

4. Add Bling

Rhinestone sheets give this option from Fit Body Nourish a bedazzled look.

(Image credit: Brandi Devers)

5. Make a Custom Leather Band

This tutorial to make a custom, bespoke Apple Watch band is the most involved, so only take it on if you’ve got serious craft skills—but the finished product is super chic.

Have you seen customized wearables you love or tricked out your own? Share with me in the comments!

Greetings! Carley Knobloch here, digital lifestyle expert and girl boss at CarleyK.com. I’m also a regular correspondent on the Today Show and the smart home expert for HGTV, where I help audiences understand the ever-evolving world of home technology in an easy, approachable way. I’m on a mission to tackle those home tech headaches that make you want to rip your router out of the wall and go live in a yurt. (Don’t do that!) For more tech hijinks, check out my blog or follow me on Instagram or Twitter.

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