Pilates, meditation, muscle strengthening, aerobic exercises… no less than eleven sports are on the menu of Apple’s new sports coaching service.
Go have some sport! The Apple Fitness + sports coaching service arrives today, Wednesday, November 3, in France, 9 months after the launch in the United States and in five other English-speaking countries. Inextricably linked to the Apple Watch, the connected watch that collects all vital data during exercises, this new service is available by subscription at a rate of 9.99 euros per month (1st month free or 3 months free with the purchase of a watch).
On the menu, we find a panel of 11 different disciplines : treadmill, rower, HIIT, pilates, muscle building and sheathing, yoga, walking, exercise bike, meditation, mindful stretching and dancing. And some 27 coaches – some are in their twenties, others in their sixties – work on different exercises. “We have chosen them with different origins, varied morphologies, multiple experiences … but they all have in common to be charismatic and motivating, explains to aufeminin Jay Blahnik, head of the platform Apple Fitness + and director of fitness technology at Apple.
Train seriously … but without taking yourself seriously
“Some have been ‘fit’ their entire lives, some are former world champions but others only recently discovered the appeal of the sport. Like one of our coaches who was in a rock band he years ago and did not have a very ‘healthy’ lifestyle. It also allows you to identify with their journey. Whatever happens, they will push you to work hard but in a good mood. The goal is to be as inclusive as possible with Fitness +. We have courses suitable for everyone, even for the elderly or beginners. There is no judgment, only one common goal: to want to improve or maintain one’s state of form “adds Jay Blahnik.
Once registered, all you have to do is launch an activity from your Apple Watch or the Fitness application on your smartphone, iPad or via Apple TV. Exercises last 5 to 45 minutes depending on the formats and are all in English with French subtitles because all workouts are performed by English speakers from the Apple gym located in Santa Monica, near Los Angeles, California. The level of the coaches is excellent and the types of training – as well as their intensity – very varied. Most are done without additional accessories, but some require the use of a treadmill, exercise bike or even dumbbells. The advantage is that you can use Fitness + at home or in a nearby gym.
“Each exercise has been entirely designed around the Apple Watch. The watch can display in real time important information on its condition: heart rate, calories burned, distance covered, etc.”, says Jay Blahnik. Besides, Fitness + only works if the watch is on your wrist. To choose an exercise, you can follow the daily suggestions of the service, which draws among the some 500 recorded sessions (Apple offers nearly a thousand in the United States and will enrich its French catalog by a hundred each month). It is also possible to do a search according to your desires: exercise time, desired discipline, favorite coach but also associated playlist. Indeed some reinforcement sessions are entirely focused around an artist (Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Calvin Harris…) or a musical style.
Note also that Apple has just integrated the SharePlay function in its Fitness + offer. This means that it is possible to participate simultaneously in the same session with relatives (up to 32 people!) And to exchange during training. History to make the experience even more fun.
Yoga, guided meditation, accompanied walking… Apple Fitness + also thinks about mental well-being
In its range of exercises, Apple also offers more zen sessions. With yoga but also guided meditation, offered in audio and video but also accompanied walking. The goal is to offer a complete panoply, which also complements the Mindfulness application introduced this fall on the Apple Watch. Because well-being also comes from the head.
In addition, Apple has thought of those who don’t want to limit themselves to exercising at home but are looking for an experience in the great outdoors. The brand has instituted walking sessions accompanied by personalities like Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, Naomie Campbell, etc. Here, equipped only with his watch or with his smartphone also in his pocket, we go for a walk, headphones – Airpods or not – in the ears while listening to what the guest is saying, who is walking at the same time as us. .
For example, Naomie Campbell offers three inspiring stories, including her meeting with Nelson Mandela and his influence on his life. She also shared three songs that have special meaning for her and some photos from her personal collection. To watch on your smartphone while walking. The goal here is to motivate people to be active and increase their NEAT, while listening to inspiring stories. Apple has already recorded two seasons of these guided walks and is preparing a third. What to find the motivation to stay active and active even with the coming winter.
Florence Santrot is the editor of aufeminin. Geek and athletic, she has a particular appetite for tech and fitness / outdoor subjects. Apart from that, she runs (a lot), she rolls …