Health and fitness have always been essential to the Apple Watch: step and movement trackers, sleep detectors and hearing health monitors are just the beginning. The Series 6 model has integrated sensors that can also monitor your blood oxygen levels, plus an ECG app to monitor your heart rate. And now, for the first time, Apple has launched a subscription-based fitness service – powered by the Apple Watch.
The first fitness experience built around Apple’s Apple Watch
Apple
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What is Fitness +?
A state-of-the-art training platform that combines guided studio exercises with the personalized interactive Apple Watch experience. Pre-recorded fitness videos can be watched via an iPhone, iPad or Apple TV – and while you work on metrics such as heart rate and calories burned, they are monitored by the watch and displayed live on your device’s screen.
Which Apple devices do you need to use Fitness +?
To use Fitness +, you need an Apple Watch (Series 3 or newer) and an additional Apple device to watch exercise videos – it can be an Ipad, iPhone or Apple TV.
Sherica Holmon conducts a Fitness + Cycling workout
Apple
What exercises can you do?
There are 10 different categories: High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), strength training, yoga, dance, core, cycling, treadmill (for running and walking) and rowing. There is also a careful relaxation section, where an instructor guides you through gentle stretching and meditation – designed to be performed at the end of your workout. There are currently over 200 different workouts at Fitness + and new ones are uploaded every Monday.
Are the exercises designed for home?
In the midst of a pandemic, flexibility is the key to a sustainable fitness regime; Fitness + provides that. As long as you have access to an Apple device and are wearing an Apple watch, you can work out at home, at the gym or even in a hotel room or in the park.
The Apple Fitness + app
Apple
Do you need access to fitness equipment?
There are a multitude of classes available that do not require any equipment – such as core, dance and HIIT – however, to reap the rewards of the program, it is useful to have access to a bicycle, treadmill, rowing machine or, at the very least, a set of dumbbells.
Is Fitness + suitable for beginners?
Really much. There is a designated section that has been designed specifically for beginners. These exercises are all low impact and last 10 or 20 minutes – and although some exercises for beginners use light dumbbells, it is also possible to do the entire program for beginners without any equipment.
Major studio workouts are suitable for beginners and advanced fitness enthusiasts. Each class has at least three instructors on the screen: there is an instructor who hosts the class, an instructor participating in the class and an instructor who demonstrates an easier version of the same routine. Therefore, if at any point the training becomes too demanding, there will always be an easier movement to try.
Fitness coaches +
Apple
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What differentiates Fitness + from other training platforms?
The Apple Watch is the main differentiator. In addition to adding an additional layer of interaction to someone’s workouts, showing meticulous – like heart rate and calories burned – on the screen of the device you’re using, it also connects the workouts you do on Fitness + with the rest of your workout for the day the day.
The instructors are also a highlight. There is a strong sense of inclusion among the dynamic list of coaches; for example, instructor ages range from 20 to 60 and all instructors use sign language whenever possible to help users with hearing difficulties.
Music on Fitness + is central to the overall experience and motivating playlists have been carefully selected to suit each workout. Users can select a workout based on the music genre – there are nine different styles to choose from: Recent hits, Relaxing vibes, Optimistic hymns, Pure dance, Reminiscent hits, Everything Rock, Latin Grooves, Hip Hop / R & B and Top country .
Betina Gozo conducts a Fitness + Strength workout
Apple
Available now, £ 9.99 per month or £ 79.99 per year after free trial, three-month free subscription to purchase Apple Watch Series 6. Visit apple.com for more information
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