Buzz
Apple Fitness+ is now live, and owners of an Apple Watch Series 3 or later can explore its features. The subscription costs $9.99 monthly or $79.99 annually, with a complimentary one-month trial available when purchasing or upgrading an Apple Watch.
Fitness+ allows users to stream workout videos on devices like iPhones, iPads, or Apple TVs while syncing real-time data such as heart rate from their Apple Watch. Additionally, workouts can be accessed directly on iPhones or iPads without needing the watch.
Getting Started with Apple Fitness+
To use Fitness+, ensure your devices are updated to iOS 14.3, recently launched, and WatchOS 7.2. Before diving in, verify that both your Apple Watch and iPhone or iPad have the latest software updates installed.
Launch the Fitness app on your iPhone, previously known as the Activity app. (This is the app that tracks your progress with “closing your rings,” typically installed during Apple Watch setup.) At the bottom, you’ll find a “Fitness+” tab where you can subscribe to the service.
If you’re using an iPad, download the Fitness app from the App Store to get started.
What Does Fitness+ Offer?
The home screen presents a wide range of workout categories, such as HIIT, yoga, strength training, core exercises, treadmill runs, cycling, dance, and mindful cooldowns. Apple promises weekly additions to the workout library. The interface highlights curated suggestions like “popular,” “for beginners,” and “quick workouts.” You can also explore more sessions from your preferred instructors.
Every workout includes a description of its accompanying music genre, such as “energetic anthems,” “hip-hop/R&B,” or “relaxed beats.”
Certain workouts require equipment. Beyond treadmill and cycling sessions, there are routines for rowing machines or those needing “light and heavy dumbbells.” Most workouts range from 10 to 30 minutes, with a few 45-minute cycling and yoga options and a brief 5-minute cooldown available.
If you enjoy a particular workout, simply click “Add” to save it to the “my workouts” section at the bottom of the screen. I personally tested a few of the 10-minute sessions.
Exploring the Workout Experience
Once you tap “Let’s go” on your device, your Apple Watch will display a start button. The watch interface mirrors the standard workout tracking found in the Activity (now Fitness) app.
The Absolute Beginner HIIT workout truly caters to newcomers, featuring a series of gentle 30-second exercises perfect for those just starting their fitness journey. (Despite the “HIIT” label, this workout, like many online, doesn’t involve high-intensity intervals.)
I also sampled the opening minutes of a Reggaeton dance workout, which was straightforward to follow and offered a balanced, moderate intensity.
A “burn bar” displays how your performance stacks up against others who’ve completed the same workout. (With your consent, the app aggregates your effort level for future comparisons.) Post-workout, you’ll see metrics like elapsed time, calories burned, and heart rate, with the option to finish or proceed to a “mindful cooldown.”
One notable gap in the app is the inability to filter workouts by intensity, though each session includes a preview to give you a glimpse of what to expect. Overall, it’s a straightforward yet effective fitness app.
