Online fitness services such as Peloton and Daily Burn have become very popular, and now Apple wants its piece of the pie. The company now offers Apple Fitness+, aimed exclusively at Apple Watch users. Fitness+ combines your Apple devices, videos, and collected exercise data to allow you to have satisfying workouts.
This article will tell you all you need to know about Apple Fitness+. We’ll update it whenever there are new developments.
Updated 04/02/21: Apple has added new postpartum exercises for those looking to get back to exercising after having a baby.
The latest: Postpartum workouts
Apple has added a workout playlist specifically targeting postpartum workouts–for those who have recently had a baby. Apple describes the program like this: “This program is designed for anyone who has recently had a baby, with workouts that can help you feel stronger and more energetic as you take on the daily demands of parenthood. The Core workouts are about reconnecting to your core, building up your ab and back strength, and working your pelvic floor.”
Apple
How do I sign up for Apple Fitness+?
Apple Fitness+ launched on December 14, 2020, and requires iOS 14.3, iPadOS 14.3, and/or tvOS 14.3 or later to sign up and use Apple Fitness+. You also need to update your Apple Watch to watchOS 7.2 or later. An Apple Watch is required to use Fitness+.
Once the updates are installed, launch the Fitness app on your iPhone or iPad (iPad users need to get the Fitness app from the App Store). A new Fitness+ button appears at the bottom of the app. Tap it to sign up. If you already have Apple One, all you need to do is tap or click through a couple of screens about data usage.
Once you’re signed up, you’ll see the Apple Fitness+ workouts.
On an Apple TV, you may need to restart the device for Fitness+ to appear. Look for the Fitness app.
What is Apple Fitness+?
Internet-based fitness services and apps that work on your iPhone have been around for a while from companies like Aaptiv, Daily Burn, and YogaGlo. They saw a huge growth in popularity thanks to the Coronavirus pandemic. With the Apple Watch, Apple has a device that’s perfectly made to help people get the most out of their workouts.
With so many Apple Watch users using it as an exercise tool, Apple decided to create the Apple Fitness+ service. Fitness+ features a series of workout videos that users can play on an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV. Data is collected by the Apple Watch and displayed with the workout video, so you can track stats such as workout time, heart rate, and calories burned.
Data collected by the Apple Watch is displayed as you work out.
How does Apple Fitness+ work?
To get the most out of Apple Fitness+, you need an Apple Watch, which is used to track your data as you work out.
You then need another device on which to play the videos: an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV. Apple Fitness+ will be in the iPhone’s Fitness app. Apple has released a new Fitness app for the iPad and Apple TV that only contains the Fitness+ workout videos.
Apple has a catalog of workout videos for you to use. When you are ready to work out and start a video, your Apple Watch is automatically triggered to record your data. As you do the workout along with the video, your fitness data appears on the screen. You’ll also get notifications when you reach fitness goals.
Data summary after a workout.
When you finish a workout, you see a data summary screen, and there’s a “Burn Bar” that allows you to compare stats with other people who have done the same workout.
All that data that’s collected—will my privacy be protected?
Apple says that the workout recommendations are “powered using on-device intelligence,” so it’s not collected online. The calories burned and the trainers you choose are not stored with your Apple ID.
What types of workouts does Apple Fitness+ have?
Apple will offer 10 different workout types at launch:
- Core
- Cycling
- Dance
- High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
- Rowing
- Treadmill run
- Treadmill walk
- Strength
- Yoga
- Mindful cooldowns
- Pilates
- Meditation
New workouts within these categories are added weekly, so you don’t get bored doing the same workouts over and over.
Apple says it will offer a new workout video on a weekly basis.
Apple Fitness+ can make workout recommendations based on your past activity data collected by the Apple Watch. Filtering tools for workout type, trainers, duration, and music are provided so you can exercise the way you want.
What is ‘Time to Walk’?
In January 2021, Apple added a new feature to Fitness+ called “Time to Walk.” These are 25-40 minute audio programs wherein each episode features a famous guest who recorded their stories while “walking outside or in locations that are meaningful to them,” so it will feel like you’re going on a walk alongside them.
At launch, there were four guests: Dolly Parton, Shawn Mendes, NBA all-star Draymond Green, and Emmy award-winning actress Uzo Aduba, and the first season had a total of 18 episodes. A second season began on June 28, 2021. At the end of the walk, you’ll get a short playlist of songs shared by the celebrity walk-along buddy, but you’ll need a subscription to Apple Music to download them to your Apple Watch.
Time to Walk requires an Apple Watch and paired Bluetooth headphones. You can read more about Time to Walk here.
Do I need workout equipment for Apple Fitness+?
You can use your own equipment, so for example, if you want to do a Cycling workout, you can use your own exercise bike. You don’t need to buy special equipment (except of course an Apple Watch). Apple says that many of the workouts don’t require equipment at all.
If you have a gym membership, you can do Apple Fitness+ there. You can play the videos on an iPhone or iPad and use your gym equipment or workout rooms.
I’m new to working out, or I’m coming back to it after an absence. Would Apple Fitness+ work for me?
Apple Fitness+ has an “Absolute Beginner” program for users who are just getting started or are returning to regular workouts. The program teaches the body movements often used in the workouts, so you can feel comfortable while you find your groove.
Can I play music while I work out?
The workouts play music, and Apple Fitness+ works with Apple Music so you can save the songs played and use them for future workouts, or listen to them at your leisure. This requires an Apple Music subscription.
With an Apple Music subscription, you can access the music playlists used during workouts.
What devices do I need for Apple Fitness+?
Apple Fitness+ requires:
- Apple Watch Series 3 or later paired with an iPhone 6s or later, or an iPhone SE.
- If you want to use an iPad, you must have and iPad Pro, iPad (5th generation or later), iPad mini 4 or later, iPad Air 2, or iPad Air (3rd generation).
- Apple Fitness+ can be used on the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV.
Can I use Apple Fitness+ with AirPlay 2?
At its initial release, Apple Fitness+ did not work with AirPlay. That feature was added at a later date, and you can use AirPlay to stream your workouts from your iPhone or iPad to any AirPlay 2 compatible TV or Mac. However, the workout metrics collected by the Apple Watch will not be displayed.
How much does Apple Fitness+ cost?
Apple Fitness+ is a subscription service that is free for the first month. After that, you pay $9.99 per month, or $79.99 a year. A subscription can be shared with up to five other people through Family Sharing. An Apple Music subscription is not required.
Apple Fitness+ is part of the new Apple One service bundle, where you can sign up for several Apple services, such as Apple Music, Apple TV+, and iCloud in addition to Apple Fitness+ for a special price.
Can I try Apple Fitness+ for free before I sign up?
You can. There are a few trials plans available, but they may expire so check for their availability. Anyone who buy a new Apple Watch Series 3 or laterwill get a free 3-month Apple Fitness+ trial.
Where is Apple Fitness+ available?
- Austria
- Australia
- Brazil
- Canada
- Colombia
- France
- Germany
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Italy
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Portugal
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Spain
- Switzerland
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
