With the weather rapidly changing for the wetter, it’s time to get our indoor fitness regimens in check! Apple Fitness+ incorporates metrics from Apple Watch right to your iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV, regardless of your fitness level.

I’ve been checking out a few of their classes during a free three-month subscription that comes with a new Apple Watch (I’m currently using an Apple Watch 6).

Apple Fitness+

The three-month plan gives access to studio-style workouts by world-class trainers that includes a selection of motivational music from renowned artists.

Apple Fitness+

Spanning professional athletes, yogis, personal trainers, martial artists, health coaches, gymnasts, Ironman champions, marathoners, fitness club founders and many others, Fitness+ trainers offer an inviting, multidimensional experience for all.

Apple Fitness+ Apple Fitness+

Once I pair my Apple Watch 6 with an iPhone (currently using an iPhone 12), opening the Fitness+ app reveals the offer to redeem three months for free (CAD $12.99 per month once the trial expires).

Apple Fitness+ Apple Fitness+

Fitness categories include HIIT, Yoga, Core, Strength, Dance, Cycling, Treadmill, Rowing and Mindful Cooldown. There’s also four cool programs, each incorporating a series of episodes to watch: Get Ready for Snow Season, Workouts for Beginners, Workouts for Older Adults, and Workouts for Pregnancy.

Strength with Gregg
[Strength with Gregg]

If you like what you hear (and have an Apple Music subscription), you can check out the tunes included in each workout — the songs are listed directly next to and below the episode.

Apple Fitness+

You can view all Fitness+ trainers; when you click on a name, a screen opens to reveal a short bio as well as their workouts. I also discovered a Guest Trainer in the mix. And if you become a fan, you can follow your favourite trainers on Instagram!

Using a custom recommendation engine, Fitness+ check for your previously completed workouts and then suggests new options to match workouts you’ve selected most often, as well as new workouts to balance your current routine.

Apple Fitness+ Apple Fitness+

There’s also an intuitive filtering tool to choose what’s most important to you: workout type, trainer, duration, or music. And if you’re an Apple Music subscriber, favourite music from Fitness+ workouts can also be easily saved and listened to later, whether for a workout or just personal enjoyment.

I get motivated when I hear music I love, so this feature is right up my alley.

Dance with Ben
[Dance with Ben]

The What’s New in 60 Seconds gives a weekly update on classes and musical artists spotlighted in some of the workouts. Before I launch into one of the Pilates classes, I check the type of music and add the class to my Workouts.

Apple Fitness+ Apple Fitness+

I even get a chance to preview the workout and read a short intro on what to expect from the pilates as well as equipment needed for the class (in this case, a set of dumbbells and yoga mat). With a 20-minute, chill vibe class waiting for me whenever I’m ready, this is a great way to take exercise indoors with a fitness pro.

Even cooler, I can actually download the class if I’m travelling and want to do the class without the need for wifi.

Once I select a workout and start it on my iPad (iPhone and Apple TV are other options), the corresponding workout automatically starts on Apple Watch. During the session, real-life metrics from Apple Watch are shown on the screen to help inspire you to finish. Post-workout, you have a choice of cool-downs to round off the session (both workouts and cool-downs are registered on the watch).

For example, when the trainer says to check heart rate or begins a countdown timer, those numbers animate on the screen. If you do own a treadmill and select that session using Fitness+ on Apple GymKit-enabled machines, the workout will prompt you to tap to connect your Apple Watch so that the metrics are in sync.

Apple Fitness+ Apple Fitness+

And if you’re into pushing your limit with a little healthy competition, the optional Burn Bar shows how your current effort stacks up against anyone who’s done the same workout.

The familiar Apple Watch Activity rings also appear, highlighting progress and launching an animated celebration as they close. Activity Sharing lets you share completed Fitness+ workouts with friends and family as well as post them on your chosen social channels.

Apple Fitness+ Apple Fitness+

Current Plans/Hardware Requirements

– 3 months of Apple Fitness+ is included (with an Apple Watch Series 3 or later).
– Apple Fitness+ is included in the Apple One Premier plan, which, where available, also allows access to Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+, and 2TB of iCloud storage for $33.95 (CAD) per month, and can be shared among up to six family members.
– Fitness+ requires Apple Watch Series 3 or later, paired with iPhone 6s or later or iPhone SE.
– For usage with iPad, Fitness+ requires iPad Pro, iPad (5th gen or later), iPad mini 4 or later, iPad Air 2, or iPad Air (3rd gen).
– Fitness+ is supported on Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD.
– Apple Music subscription is not required.

Visit Apple online for more info.

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