AlterMe’s Revamped Smart Ring & Training Plans Now Start at $499 – How Does It Compare to Oura?

After testing the wearable and all-in-one platform for about four months, we learned a lot about what we really needed in a smart ring and fitness app

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With the rise – and convergence – of wearables, biomarker testing and AI, taking control of your health has become more accessible than ever. AlterMe is among the tech wellness companies offering personalized health and fitness programs for weight loss, building strength, improving diet and other goals – all informed by your DNA.

The company recently revamped the pricing for its standalone DNA tests and health and fitness programs. Previously $149 and up, AlterMe’s DNA Fitness and Health Reports start at $39 for the DNA Starter option (reg. $99) and $399 for the DNA+ Advanced test (reg. $799). AlterMe’s smart ring and training plan program now starts at $499 and comes in three tiers: Active ($499), Essential ($1,099) and Advanced ($1,899).

I recently tried out the AlterMe Advanced Program, which bills itself as “the world’s first health and fitness program built from your DNA.” As an overall healthy person with a good understanding of my medical record and family history, my goal was to see if AlterMe’s combination of real-time biomarker tracking with my genetic data might affect my day-to-day habits.

Related: How Superpower’s Blood Test Helped Me Clean Up My Supplement Clutter

The full program with the AlterMe Ring includes a DNA analysis and a 12-month personalized fitness, nutrition and wellness plan with daily guidance via the app. (The company is offering a $99 discount as of press time.) There’s also a more expensive AlterMe Pro option ($2,299) that includes a smart mirror for workouts in addition to the ring. Financing is also available.

Per the company’s website, it’s backed by renowned health experts and researchers who have worked with Stanford, NASM, Mayo Clinic and the NBA, including athlete performance psychologist Dr. Wendy Borlabi, personal trainer John Schaefer, sleep physician Dr. Cheri Mah and athletic coach Paul Winsper.

It’s worth noting up front that AlterMe’s guidance isn’t meant to replace working with a primary care physician who may have more knowledge about your medical history. (Always consult a medical professional for any health issues.) Though I communicate with my doctor regularly when concerns come up, I tested AlterMe’s DNA test to see if it would be helpful in tracking biometrics and getting custom fitness, recovery and food guidance based on my genetics.

Below, keep reading to find out the difference between all of AlterMe’s DNA tests and program offerings, and for my honest review of AlterMe’s biomarker test, smart ring and all-in-one health app.

AlterMe DNA Test & Program Review: Pros & Cons

Pros: • Easy at-home saliva swab test (no blood test needed) • Standalone tests are affordable • Fitness advisor consultation • DNA data-driven insights and lifestyle guidance • Variety of fitness, nutrition and wellness features on app • Ring is comfortable to wear

Cons: • Full program is expensive ($1,699) • Cannot pair other smart rings with AlterMe app • Difference between tests vs. full program is confusing

AlterMe Program Review: The Bottom Line

If you’re someone who wants a highly personalized health and fitness plan that integrates seamlessly with real-time activity, nutrition and recovery tracking, then AlterMe’s program and ring are worth the investment for genetics-driven insights, tailored guidance, a variety of workouts and ongoing assessments to help you reach your goals.

AlterMe DNA Tests: What’s the Difference?

If you don’t want to dive straight into the full AlterMe Program (from $499), you can start by purchasing just the DNA tests.

The DNA Starter test ($39, regularly $99) analyzes 12 key traits for nutrition (response to protein, carb and fat), exercise (your athlete type, how you lose and keep weight off, cardio response, bone density risk and what motivates you) and sleep and recovery (stress and anxiety resilience, risk of inflammation and mental decline).

The more comprehensive DNA+ Advanced test ($399; reg. $799) covers more than 200 traits and includes a full genome sequence and ongoing DNA analysis. In addition to everything in DNA Starter, the Advanced test includes even more data points such as your metabolic type, macronutrient profile, insulin resistance, food sensitivities, injury risk, circulation and vascular recovery, oxidative stress and antioxidant defense, sleep chronotype, circadian alignment and adaptation, caffeine sensitivity and much more.

AlterMe’s 3 Health & Fitness Programs: What’s the Difference?

Since we originally published this review, AlterMe revamped its health and fitness program into 3 options. All 3 plans come with a smart ring, 3 resistance bands and access to the app with workout and recovery content, but here’s what sets them all apart:

• AlterMe Active ($499): Does not include DNA test or personalized workout and nutrition guidance
• AlterMe Essential ($1,099): Includes DNA analysis based on 3 traits and a personalized workout and nutrition plan via the app
• AlterMe Advanced ($1,899; use code LIMITED200 for $99 off): Includes comprehensive DNA analysis, personalized workout and nutrition plan, AI nutrition coach and weight loss and mobility assessments and tracking

AlterMe DNA Test & Program Review: How the At-Home Test Works

Anyone who endured COVID testing will ace AlterMe’s swab test. The DNA sample kit comes in the mail with clear instructions: Simply take the swab, swipe it around the inside of your mouth, put it into the collection tube and mail everything back in the included padded mailer with pre-paid shipping. Save for the plastic tube and bubble mailer, AlterMe’s test kit comes in entirely recyclable packaging.

AlterMe DNA Test Review: Results & Consultation

It took about 2 weeks for my DNA report to be ready after I sent off the saliva specimen. (AlterMe notes that test results are processed in 1-3 days for the DNA Starter test or 5-10 days for the DNA+ Advanced test.) I liked that AlterMe kept me in the loop at every step with notifications and texts when my swab was received and when it was time to book my one-on-one.

You’ll need to book a 30-minute DNA consultation with an AlterMe fitness advisor in order to receive your test results. Scheduling the phone meeting was easy and convenient through the online portal. Test results are then emailed to you during your touch base. (The DNA+ Advanced test includes a digital and printed report.)

AlterMe’s Results Summary for the Starter test explored 12 of my traits and whether certain ones were below, within or above average. As someone who is fairly in tune with their health and family medical history, the DNA consultation revealed the “why” behind what I like to do, giving me more clarity and understanding of my food cravings, workout preferences and motivations based on my genetics – and how to be the most efficient.

For instance, she noted that my exercise trait was Mixed (the other outcomes were Cardio or Strength), which explains why I feel my best and strongest when I’m doing a variety of activities rather than sticking to one type of workout. My takeaway: It’s not a lack of commitment when I regularly rotate between strength training, hiking, yoga and mat and reformer Pilates – turns out, I’ve just been following my instincts to work out different muscle groups.

Another unique insight was that my genetics dictate that I’m more externally motivated than internally. “You’re motivated by seeing external goals being met, such as seeing progress [or having accountability],” my advisor told me. “You have to find your ‘why’; if you’re externally motivated and you’re not seeing enough results, that’s when you get frustrated.” No wonder I’m consistent when I work with a personal trainer, take regular studio classes or exercise with friends. However, my advisor reminded me that other factors affect day-to-day motivation, such as stress and rest.

Other valuable pieces of intel included the impact of eating carbohydrates, protein and fat. My results aligned with general healthy diet recommendations (eat more complex carbs, good fats, fruits, veggies and proteins), and my detailed results connected the DNA dots between the best lifestyle choices and my genetic advantages and disadvantages, such as my family history of diabetes and heart issues.

For those who want to do an even deeper data dive, you can also request your raw genome data.

AlterMe Program Review: What’s In the App?

I tested AlterMe’s Advanced Program, which comes with a comprehensive DNA analysis, personalized workout and nutrition plan, AI nutrition coach and weight loss and mobility assessments and tracking.

The AlterMe app provides daily guidance on movement, food and wellness based on your readiness score from data gathered by the smart ring. The Today tab shows a summary of your current health and the day’s recommendations based on your Readiness Score, which takes into account your sleep data, HRV and other metrics. The Sessions tab tracks your weight loss and strength goals and offers a robust variety of strength, cardio and recovery classes in a range of levels, durations and preferences (such as joint-friendly adjustments).

The Stats section shows your history across readiness, sleep and activity, including daily, seven-day, 30-day and yearly averages. Last but not least, the Nutrition tab helps you track and plan your day’s macronutrients (protein, fats and carbs), log your meals by describing what you ate or taking a photo of your plate (or your food’s barcode or packaging) and generating recipes based on your meal type (breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack), cook time, cuisine preferences and your favorite (or not-so-favorite) ingredients.

AlterMe Ring: Sizing & Comfort

The standard AlterMe ring has a similar look, feel and sizing process as my third-gen Oura Ring, and comes in silver, gold and matte black. The wearable has a notch design similar to Oura’s first-gen model and feels just as comfortable.

The device has an LED-based PPG sensor for tracking heart rate and blood oxygen, an accelerometer for movement and activity and a temperature sensor. The battery lasts about 7 days and a full charge takes about an hour and a half.

AlterMe also launched the Ultra Ring last December (after I signed up for the program) with a battery life of up to 9 days and comes in silver, rose gold and matte black. It’s slightly thicker and more durable than the original ring, and AlterMe says it’s built for “enhanced durability for tougher conditions.”

AlterMe Advanced Program Review: What We Liked

Going into AlterMe’s Advanced Program, my main goal was to continue and build upon my existing workout and wellness routines. I wanted to maintain my strength, keep track of and improve my sleep (a never-ending journey) and get customized nutrition advice. After about four months of testing, the “gamification” of checking off my daily and weekly goals was integral in helping me stay consistent.

I loved the AlterMe app for new recipes and exercises, including the variety of classes, such as Pilates, full-body strength, cardio sculpt, meditation and yoga, to name a few. And while I only used the nutrition tracking occasionally, it was fun seeing the app generate fairly accurate macronutrient numbers of my food photos of grilled salmon, quinoa and broccoli (and my packaged Trader Joe’s dinners!)

I also relied heavily on my daily readiness score to plan my day more efficiently. One of the most helpful features was the AI coach that provided tailored workouts based on my previous night’s sleep. If I had a score of, say, 74 or below, AlterMe recommended a 20-minute cardio session or something less intensive. On days when my score was optimal (90 or above), it suggested a 30-minute workout with more strain. And on my low-energy days, AlterMe would advise me to skip workouts altogether and opt for outdoor walks.

While it seems more intuitive to gauge one’s state of tiredness in the morning, AlterMe’s data-driven guidance convinced me not to push myself on days when my body needed recovery.

AlterMe Advanced Program Review: Cons

For new users, the customer flow for simply buying a test or signing up for the full program can be confusing – especially given the major price difference between the two. The “Get Started” button on the homepage and the “Buy Now” button in the upper-right-hand corner both take you through the AlterMe Program process, but the only way to find the standalone tests is by hovering over the Products menu link and selecting the DNA Tests option. And once you get to the DNA Tests page, there are inconsistencies with the product names. (As far as we can tell, the DNA Starter and DNA Light are the same thing.)

When we first published this review in April, we also noted that the biggest downside of AlterMe’s training program was the $1,699 price tag. (It is now $1,800 when you use the coupon code LIMITED200 for $99 off.) Since then, the company has restructured its plans with an entry-level option starting at $499. Still, we believe the AlterMe Advanced Program is worth the investment if you don’t have health insurance or a plan that covers extensive blood tests, nutritionists and personal trainers, as it comes out to just $150 per month for 12 months.

Another criticism was that it would have been nice to have an option to receive more alerts from the AlterMe app, such as recommended times to work out, eat or get to bed. The platform now has Daily Plan and Bedtime reminders and Streak Support notifications to keep you motivated. (The predecessor to AlterMe’s ring was the medical-grade Signal wearable, which apparently had more alerts.)

AlterMe vs. Oura Ring Comparison

The last time I had an Oura membership was with the Gen2 ring. The company partnered with Quest Diagnostics to offer Health Panels last October, so their offerings and data insights have changed quite a bit since I last wore Oura.

Oura’s Health Panels service costs $99 and covers 50 biomarkers and requires an active membership, which is $69.99 per year (or $5.99 per month). Factor in the cost of the hardware itself ($299 and up for the Gen3 ring, $349 to $499 for the Gen4), and the first-year cost for an Oura ring with a membership and biomarker testing is $468 and up. Similar to AlterMe, Oura syncs your biological data with your sleep and activity.

While Oura’s membership, hardware and biomarker testing combined are a fraction of the cost, the app doesn’t include workouts. AlterMe is the better option if you want an all-in-one platform for tracking your health, a custom fitness program tailored to your biological characteristics and real-time recovery score, macronutrient tracking and personalized recipes to help reach your goals.

I’ve also tested the Samsung Galaxy Ring ($399.99+), though not as extensively because I use an iPhone. However, it’s a great option for those with Android and Samsung phones; read more about it here.

AlterMe DNA Test & Program Review: The Verdict

Overall, AlterMe has helped me take more control of my health and make efficient day-to-day decisions. The features that were most valuable to me were the DNA Fitness & Health Report and the app’s personalized fitness and recovery guidance. The platform gave me clear, actionable insights, and the data-driven plan, based on my real-time rest and stress levels, gave me the confidence and assurance that I was making the best moves for my mind and body.

Learn more about AlterMe’s test and programs here.

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