Example of an Apple Fitness Plus class on the home page.
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iPhone users know that Apple offers all the best high-tech features in their software, and that applies to their programs as well. Apple Fitness Plus is a fitness subscription that iPhone users can find under the Apple Fitness icon. In addition to letting you know how many steps you’ve taken for the day, you also have the option to sign up for Apple Fitness Plus if you want to start your workout with a fitness class. Over the past month, I’ve had a taste of the Apple Fitness Plus experience, trying out different fitness classes and the Time to Walk and Time to Run programs.
Apple Fitness Plus has some great features that set it apart from other fitness subscription services. Having tested many of these apps and fitness apps in the past, we were able to distinguish how Apple Fitness Plus is different and makes a unique effort to lead by example. If you want to try Apple Fitness Plus for yourself, check out my review below.
How much does Apple Fitness Plus cost?
Apple Fitness Plus is exclusive to iPhone users, and new subscribers are offered a free trial to try Apple Fitness Plus. If you purchase a new iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Ultra 2, or new Apple Watch Series 6 or newer, you can take advantage of a 3-month free trial before committing to a subscription. Masu.
If you sign up when your trial expires, Apple Fitness Plus will cost $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year. Otherwise, it’s $10.99 per month after a 1-month free trial as a new subscriber without a new device. You can also share your Apple Fitness Plus membership with five other family members by setting up Family Sharing on your device.
What workouts are available in Apple Fitness Plus?
Apple Fitness Plus offers 12 classes including strength training, HIIT training, core training, meditation, yoga, Pilates, dance, kickboxing, cycling, treadmill, and rowing. You can create your own program based on how many days a week you want to work out, the types of workouts you want to do, and the length of your workouts. The collection also includes programs for beginners, 30-day core challenges, and more to choose from. Creating stacks allows you to save multiple workouts that can be performed in one session.
An example of a HIIT class cued up on Apple TV.
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In addition, Apple Fitness Plus has programs called Time to Walk and Time to Run, which are narrated audio segments (similar to podcasts) intended to be listened to while walking or running. Time to Walk features celebrities and other public figures sharing stories about their lives that you can watch while you take a walk. Segments vary in length and can be anywhere from 5 to 45 minutes long. Time to Run is narrated by a running coach who details the places he runs, whether it’s Florence, Italy or Prospect Park, Brooklyn.
The versatility of Apple Fitness Plus is that you can stream your workouts on your iPhone, iPad, tablet, or Apple TV. This makes it easy to access if you are traveling or want to attend a training session. One of the best ways to see results from your workouts is to connect Apple Fitness Plus to your Apple Watch. This is optional, but if you want to see metrics during class, your Apple Watch will display real-time data on your screen. You can view your heart rate, calories burned, and progress across all three activity rings.
These rings indicate your goals for the day, each representing a move, exercise, or stand. The blue ring indicates the number of times you stood or moved during the day, the green records your exercise time, and the red records your active calories burned throughout the day. One of the catchphrases used during class is “Close your ring.” This refers to the Activity Ring that your Apple Watch uses to track your activity.
My experience using Apple Fitness Plus: Benefits
I have used Apple Fitness Plus in the past, but not as my primary source for workouts. This time I used it over the course of a month in conjunction with my regular training program. While it’s a nice option to have, I didn’t customize my workouts, but I did explore the various classes Apple Fitness Plus offers. One of the first things that makes this subscription stand out compared to other fitness apps I’ve tested is how comprehensive it is. In addition to verbally explaining what to expect during the workout, instructors sign instructions using American Sign Language (ASL) for those who are hearing impaired.
Whether you want to challenge yourself or scale back, the workouts are easy to follow. In on-screen classes, students follow the instructor, with one student always demonstrating the regressed exercise movements in case they want to return to the exercise or need modifications.
One of the benefits of Apple Fitness Plus is that it offers classes of varying lengths. This is beneficial for me as a working mother with limited time. I loved being able to commit to 20 or 30 minute strength training workouts and feel a sense of accomplishment when I completed them. I varied the intensity, including the weights I used, based on how much energy I had that day and how strong I was feeling. I tracked my data on my Apple Watch and enjoyed having additional information at hand during my workouts. Your heart rate and calories burned are clearly displayed along with the time remaining during your workout segment.
I also particularly enjoyed the Time to Walk series because I could wear my AirPods and shut out the outside world during my lunchtime walks. It gave me a meditative feeling, similar to when I listen to a podcast. I also loved that celebrities like Danny Trejo, who narrated Time to Walk, were out on their own walks, and you could hear the peaceful sounds of nature all around you. The childhood stories they shared were also interesting enough to keep me interested during our 30- or 45-minute walk.
Time to Walk and Time to Run examples from the Apple Fitness Plus home page.
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I wanted to get back into running, so I decided to give Time to Run a try. It was helpful because it took away the pressure of having to hit a certain pace or time that I always follow. In Time to Run, different backgrounds appear depending on where the voice-over coach is running. In my case, I chose Florence because I missed Italy. Your running coach will explain the scenery and encourage you to slow down or speed up at certain points. These workouts are also doable in length, offering narrated runs of approximately 30 minutes, 40 minutes to an hour. These are a great option for runners who are not in training mode.
Cons of Apple Fitness Plus
One of the downsides to Apple Fitness Plus is that it is only accessible to Apple users. It would be great if Apple made the workout experience available to Android users as well.
Another thing I observed is that this workout is great for people who aren’t aiming to set personal records and just want to incorporate some movements into their day, but it’s not enough of a challenge for stronger athletes. That means it’s possible. Experienced athletes may benefit more from sport-specific programs.
Apple Fitness Plus allows you to customize your program, but I think it lacks guidance on how to stick with it. Here you can use some of the new AI features to motivate your users. It’s also nice to have the option of a personal trainer (even if it costs extra) for users who want a more customized experience.
New features added to Apple Fitness Plus
The latest iOS 18 software update also brings a makeover to Apple Fitness Plus. This update allows you to create a personalized For You Space and adds new search functionality. The search feature is useful because you can filter based on class, instructor, training length, equipment, and even music type. Fitness Plus benefits have also been enhanced to allow you to explore library spaces. All new updates aim to ease the user experience and keep users motivated and consistent in their daily lives.
final thoughts
Overall, I think Apple Fitness Plus is the ideal fitness subscription if you’re already an iPhone user or looking for an easy-to-follow workout program. Its comprehensive nature is appealing and a great way to easily get back into a fitness routine that moves your body in a variety of ways. It’s also compatible with Apple devices, so it’s always in sync.
Whether it’s yoga or running, you’re sure to find something you like. It’s also wallet-friendly, so you won’t have to pay a huge monthly fee. If you’re looking for a more workout-focused app or want to get more of a personal training vibe, you can always check out CNET’s other recommended workout subscriptions.
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Apple Fitness Plus is the perfect fitness subscription if you’re already an iPhone user or looking for an easy-to-follow workout program. Its comprehensive nature is appealing and a great way to easily get back into a fitness routine that moves your body in a variety of ways.
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