Three Weeks with Apple Fitness+
In recent years we have seen many attempts from Apple to integrate new services with their hardware. Fitness+ has the potential to be one of the best integrations since the launch of iCloud backup. To assess Fitness+, we must consider two aspects: technology and the fitness program.
Technology
Apple has done a decent job with the design of the Fitness+ app. This app has a clean UI with easy navigation. You can quickly find your desired workout by selecting the workout type or with one of the suggestions based on your usage history. In each of the categories, you can filter by duration, trainer, and music type.
Music is one of the features that Apple tries to integrate with other services. In each video, trainers provide a playlist that you can access through Apple Music. But the most captivating integration is with the Apple Watch.
Before starting a session, the app asks you to connect to your Apple Watch. This connection allows the watch to choose the proper workout mode for the selected video. Additionally, watch information such as workout time, heart rate, calories burned, and activity circle progress are always on the screen. And it is quite motivating to see your rings close as you push yourself during the workout. But the most attractive part of the integration is the burn bar. In HIIT, treadmill, cycling, and rowing workouts, you get an indicator that compares your calorie burn performance against other users that have completed the workout.
This app is a great first iteration. But there are some areas that Apple Fitness+ can improve to distinguish itself from the competition. The first issue is that the application requires users to have an Apple Watch. Currently, there are no features that make the watch an essential part of the experience. Allowing users to workout without a watch would be a great way to expand the app’s reach and attract new watch buyers.
The second issue is multi-user support. Many of the workouts offered in the app are great for small spaces, perfect for a couple or a small group. But currently, the app only allows for one watch to be connected. Apple could support multiple users by having several tiles on-screen (Apple TV) or alternating tiles (iPad, iPhone).
The last aspect that could add value to Fitness+ is better integration with the Apple Watch. Currently, the app only mirrors some of the watch information on the screen, and in some instances, the app shows a calorie “intensity” comparison between users. But the watch could be a real differentiator if it counted repetitions, compared against historical performance, or used the sensors and AI to help you improve your workout and overall fitness.
Today the technology or app behind Fitness+ is fine, it is on par with competitors, with the added value of selecting the correct exercise type on the watch and showing the information on the screen. But to get a full assessment we must also consider the workout videos.
Fitness Program
The videos are great. You can find workouts for every kind of need: HIIT, Yoga, Core, Strength, Dancing, Running, Cycling, and Rowing. The trainers provide a perfect balance of charisma and energy to keep you moving. Additionally, the trainers always offer modifications to adapt the workout to your desired level of intensity. But what sets Fitness+ apart is the high-quality production and the fresh content with new videos added every week.
Even though each video is great when you consider the whole program it is lacking. It is difficult to build a routine with the current videos. You cannot filter videos by difficulty level or muscle group. Additionally, in strength workouts, there is no time to grab the correct dumbbell for each movement. This makes it hard to maximize the benefits of the strength training session. Finally, there is a lack of cohesion between videos. If you want to work out for more than 30 minutes, it is difficult to find a complimentary workout. And if you want to cool down at the end, it is also impossible to find the proper cool-down routine for the workout performed.
Apple can mitigate one of the flaws in version 1.1 by adding video playlists. For example, a playlist with two complementary strength workouts, a quick core workout, and a mindful cool-down that focuses on trained muscles.
Conclusion
In the end, Apple Fitness+ is a set of workout videos with high-quality production, fresh content, capable trainers, and a user-friendly app. These attributes make Fitness+ a fantastic alternative for someone who wants to be active. But for those seeking a fitness program or routine, this service is not there yet.
