Apple has launched its long-awaited on-demand fitness platform, which will utilise the tech giant's ecosystem of hardware and software to offer consumers a personalised exercise experience.
Called Apple Fitness+, the new service will deliver studio-style workouts to iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV products, while incorporating workout metrics from Apple Watch.
Apple says that by dynamically integrating metrics from Apple Watches, Fitness+ will be able to offer a more immersive experience – including the possibility to animate users on the screen during key moments in the workout. The feature will allow interactions in which the trainer can, for example, ask the user to check their heart rate, with the rate then being shown on the screen, or a countdown timer to appear during tough intervals to help users get through to the last seconds.
At launch, the platform will include more than 200 workouts across 10 popular workout types – from HIIT, strength, yoga and dance to core, cycling and treadmill. There are also "Mindful Cooldown" sessions, led by a team of specialist trainers.
Cycling, treadmill, and rowing workouts can be done using equipment from any manufacturer and most workouts range in increments of 10, 20, 30, and 45 minutes.
Music will play a central role too, as it will be weaved throughout the design of every workout. For each workout, users can choose from nine different styles of music to suit their tastes.
Fitness+ will be available as a subscription service for US$9.99 per month or US$79.99 per year.
“Being more active is one of the most important things we can do for our health, but we know choosing to work out can often be a challenge whether you’re very active or just getting started,” said Jay Blahnik, Apple’s senior director of Fitness Technologies.
“We’re excited for Apple Fitness+ to bring together the metrics from Apple Watch, great music, and a diverse and inspiring trainer team — in a uniquely simple, easy-to-access way across Apple devices — to encourage our users to get fit and stay healthy.”
