Subscription-based fitness training has grown incredibly popular. Peloton was among the first companies to implement the business model, and it has worked for them.
Over the years, we have seen countless other subscription options. Some have been good, others - not so much.
The tech giant Apple has been trying to make a break with the fitness crowd, which is why they developed and released something called Apple Fitness Plus.
So, let's talk about it.
What is Apple Fitness+?
Apple Fitness Plus, also spelled Fitness+, is an online, subscription-based exercise platform. The platform includes:
- Apple Watch integration.
- Countless pre-recorded exercise videos with three instructors.
- Sessions you can follow along.
Unlike most instructional videos, Apple Fitness+ is great because one instructor tells you how to perform the regular exercise. Another modifies it for people with injuries, and the third person shows you a more advanced variation. And this all at the same time.
Their training sessions are also flexible, and you can pick between lengths from 10 and 45 minutes.
What is great is that you can integrate Fitness+ with Apple Music to enjoy your favorite tunes while training.
What does it feel to do Apple Fitness+ Workouts
As you dive into Fitness+, the platform presents you with numerous categories for activities. For example, you can pick between yoga, dance, strength training, treadmill workouts, cycling, stretching, etc.
As with all Apple products, the design is beautiful, and browsing through the Fitness+ interface is easy and seamless. Even if you have never logged in, you will figure it out within minutes. Once you have picked your category, it is time to choose the specific session you want to do. These vary greatly depending on length, intensity, type, and more.
You are likely to notice during your first Fitness+ session how focused the coaches are on mental health. You are not just there to work hard and get a sweat going. Each instructor approaches classes with a positive attitude, helping you feel better and more motivated to be a great person.
Following along workouts occurs naturally because their sessions are structured intelligently, and you have the freedom to pick the ones that fit your fitness level best.
We recommend watching workouts on Apple TV if you have it. Newer smart TVs can also stream your Fitness+ workouts through Apple Play. It is not necessary, but it makes the entire experience that much better. Apple's production value on each video is fantastic, and a bigger screen with better speakers would help you appreciate it more.
Despite being follow-along-types of workouts, Apple has made the experience unique for many people because you can pick between three trainers to follow during your session.
For example, if you struggle to keep up with the leading trainer, follow the one on the left. In contrast, if what the primary trainer does feels too easy, follow the one on the right for a more challenging workout.
What we think of Apple Fitness+
The Good
Perhaps the greatest benefit of Apple Fitness+ is that the platform feels like a personal trainer in your pocket. But, instead of simply using an app that lays out your workouts in a few lines, you have access to numerous fantastic trainers that educate and inspire you.
As such, you feel much more motivated to finish your sessions, and you understand how to perform each activity well.
Speaking of activities, a fantastic benefit of Apple Fitness+ is that you get three trainers demonstrating the same movement. One shows the classic exercise, another gives you a modified version if you are injured, and the third gives a more advanced move. And, you can tweak your training to fit your needs perfectly.
The third great benefit of Fitness+ is the platform's overall flexibility and versatility. You can pick from numerous training categories, styles, and session lengths to exercise just as you enjoy.
For example, you can choose strength training workouts to build muscle, but you can also try yoga, meditation, cycling, and more. You can also pick shorter and longer sessions depending on how much free time you have each day.
All of the advantages make Apple Fitness+ a fantastic companion for everyone who seeks guidance. Plus, the added flexibility makes the platform a great addition to your workouts while on the road. All you need is your Apple Watch, and you are good to go with a variety of training styles and fun workouts.
The not so Good
We have known for a long time that Apple loves drawing customers in and having them buy as many devices as possible. Their ecosystem is terrific, and customers often start with one product and purchase numerous others later.
Things are no different for Apple Fitness+ because, while the subscription costs $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year, it requires an Apple Watch (series three or higher). In addition, the watch itself requires an iPhone to set up, given that the device was intended to be a companion for Apple's phones.So, while Apple Fitness+ can be great, its cost is not the only thing you should consider.
Another issue with Apple Fitness+ relates to the instructors. As discussed in previous points, Apple's fitness subscription allows you to learn from numerous fantastic instructors, but you might struggle to follow their directions and do exactly what they want.
The main reason is that everyone uses different bikes, rowing machines, and such. Because of that, your instructor can not give you specific recommendations like the ones you can receive when using a Peloton bike. Instead, they can give you general guidelines like, "Go slow." or "Cycle at a moderate tempo."
The third drawback of Apple Fitness+ relates to their filtering options that could be better. For example, let's say that you only want to train specific parts of your body, and you are looking for a good weight training workout in Fitness+.
Your best bet is to go through each workout and read the description for what muscles you will be training and what equipment you will need. A much better option would be if you could use filters to narrow down your choices and find the best possible workout in just a couple of minutes.
Is there a free version of Apple Fitness+?
After the 1.-month free trial period, you will have to upgrade to the paid version, where you will have access to unlimited workouts. The monthly plan costs $9.99, but you can pay $79.99 for an entire year.
You might want to check on seasonal deals. Currently, you can get 3-months of Apple Fitness+ free when you buy a new Apple Watch.
And is there an Apple Fitness+ promo code?
Unfortunately, there are no discounts for Apple Fitness+. You can use gift cards or the mentioned 3-months promotional codes. However, this is connected to buying a new Apple device.
Fitness+ with the Family Plan
Apple’s services often come at a premium, but here’s some good news!
If your household wishes to use Apple Fitness+, a single subscription can be shared among all members included in your Apple Family Plan. By using Family Sharing, you can extend your subscription to up to five other family members. Here’s a simplified three-step process to get started:
- Set Up Apple Family Sharing: Begin by setting up Apple Family Sharing and adding your family members. Notably, this setup also enables sharing of various Apple services like Apple Music, Apple Arcade, and iCloud storage.
- Subscribe to Apple Fitness+ (or Apple One Premier): Next, ensure that you are subscribed to Apple Fitness+ or Apple One Premier.
- Enable Share with Family: Lastly, make sure that the 'Share with Family' option is enabled.
And that’s it! Every family member can now access Apple Fitness+ on their respective Apple devices, and interestingly, all members can work out simultaneously using different devices.
Integration of Apple Fitness+ with other Apps
You can sync a compatible third-party workout app with the iPhone’s Fitness app to enhance your fitness journey. Any workout you complete in a compatible third-party app appears in your activity summary.
Of course, these completed activities will contribute to your Move ring progress in the Fitness app. Be aware, you need to grant permission to share data with the Health app.
If your fitness app is unavailable, the iOS 17 software update has introduced the ability to create custom workouts in Apple Fitness+.
Our Conclusion
One of the biggest tech giants has officially launched a digital streaming fitness service. This demonstrates that the concept of working out in your own home is not going anywhere anytime soon. Apple is known for releasing products that set the standard, and they are also known for acting quickly to fix issues, which is why their sport-streaming deal might just be more than an attempt to carve a niche in the crowded content industry.
Are the gyms we know history? Not yet! Convenience is great, but the flip side of that convenience is that it is much easier to ignore your alarms than to cancel on a friend or trainer waiting at the gym.
If you are interested in a premium fitness app, which is not limited by a phone brand, you might want to checkout Fitbod.
