Apple Fitness Plus offers workouts that fitness enthusiasts of all levels can enjoy

Apple is known to pack the best high-tech features in its phones and laptops, and the same goes for its workout programs. Apple Fitness Plus is a fitness subscription that iPhone users can access under the Apple Fitness icon. This function tracks your step count, but you also have the option to subscribe to Apple Fitness Plus if you’re looking to start working out with fitness classes. I’ve been testing Apple Fitness Plus for over a month and tried out fitness classes as well as Time to Walk and Time to Run.

Apple Fitness Plus has some notable features that set it apart from other fitness subscription services. After testing many of these apps and fitness apps in the past, I was able to see how Apple Fitness Plus is different and is doing its own thing to try to lead by example. Check out my review below if you’re interested in trying Apple Fitness Plus for yourself.

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How much does Apple Fitness Plus cost?

Apple Fitness Plus is exclusive to iPhone users and offers a free trial for new subscribers to test out Apple Fitness Plus. If you buy a new or later iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, Apple Watch Series 10, Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Ultra 2, or Apple Watch Series 6, you can get a three-month free trial before committing to a subscription.

If you decide to sign up when your trial ends, Apple Fitness Plus will save you $10 per month or $80 per year. Otherwise, the cost is $11 per month after a one-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 does Apple Fitness Plus offer?

Apple Fitness Plus offers 12 types of classes such as strength training, HIIT training, core exercises, meditation, yoga, Pilates, dance, kickboxing, cycling, walking, and rowing. You can create your own program based on how many days a week you want to exercise, the type of exercises you want to do, and even the duration of the exercises. There are also programs in the group for beginners, basic 30-day challenges and more to choose from. You can create stacks, allowing you to save as many exercises as you can do in one session.

Additionally, Apple Fitness Plus has Time to Walk and Time to Run, which are narrated audio clips (similar to podcasts) meant to be listened to while you walk or run. Time to Walk features celebrities and other notable figures sharing a story about their lives so you can listen to them while you walk. The duration of the clips ranges from five to 45 minutes. The running time is narrated by a running coach who describes in great detail the location they are running in, whether it is Florence, Italy, or Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

The versatility of Apple Fitness Plus is that you can stream workouts to your iPhone, iPad, tablet, or Apple TV. This makes it easy to access even if you are traveling and looking to work out. One of the best ways to see what you’re getting from your workouts is to connect Apple Fitness Plus to your Apple Watch. This is optional, but if you want to see your metrics during class, Apple Watch provides real-time data on the screen. You’ll be able to view your heart rate, calories burned, and progress in the three activity rings.

My Experience Using Apple Fitness Plus: Pros

These rings indicate your goals for the day and each symbolizes moving, exercising, and standing. The blue ring indicates when you stand or how many times you move during the day, the green tracks for exercise time and the red tracks for active calories burned throughout the day. One of the slogans used during classes is “Close Your Rings,” which refers to these activity rings that the Apple Watch uses to track your activity.

I’ve used Apple Fitness Plus in the past, but not as my primary workout source. This time I used it over the course of a month alongside my regular exercise programme. I didn’t customize my workouts, although that’s a good option, but I explored the different categories that Apple Fitness Plus offers. One of the first things I noticed that made the subscription stand out from other fitness apps I’ve tested is how comprehensive it is. Not only do the trainers verbally tell you what to expect during the workout, but they also use American Sign Language to sign instructions for users with hearing loss.

The workouts are easy enough to follow whether you’re looking to challenge yourself or slim down. The on-screen class has instructors shadowing the instructor, and one of the instructors will always show you step-back moves in case you’re just getting back into the workout or want to make modifications.

One of the features of Apple Fitness Plus is that it offers classes for different lengths of time, which is useful for me as a working mom with limited time. I loved being able to do 20 or 30 minutes of strength training and feel accomplished in completing it. I would adjust the intensity like the weights I was using based on how much energy I had on any given day or how strong I felt. I kept track of my data using my Apple Watch and enjoyed having this extra information at my fingertips during my workout. Your heart rate and calories burned are clearly displayed along with the amount of time remaining during the exercise period.

I also particularly enjoyed the Time to Walk series because I could use my AirPods and shut out the world while taking a walk during my lunch break. I felt meditative – like when I listen to a podcast. I also liked that the celebrities who narrated Time to Walk, like Danny Trejo, were out on a walk and you could hear the soothing sounds of nature in their surroundings. The childhood stories they shared were also entertaining enough to keep me enthralled for a 30 or 45 minute walk.

I’ve been trying to get back into running, so I decided to try Time to Run. This was helpful because it took the stress out of hitting certain steps and times that I normally followed. The running time provides a different background depending on where the narrative coach is working. In my case, I chose Florence because I was nostalgic for Italy. A running coach narrates the scene and encourages you to slow down or pick up speed at certain points. The length of these workouts is also doable and provides approximately 30 minutes or 40 minutes to 1 hour. These are ideal options for the runner who is not in training mode.

Cons of Apple Fitness Plus

One downside of Apple Fitness Plus is that it can only be accessed by Apple users. It would be great if Apple allowed Android users to try out the workouts as well.

Another thing I’ve noticed is that while the workouts are great for someone who’s not looking to set personal records and just wants an easy way to move every day, they may not be challenging enough for a more powerful athlete. An experienced athlete may benefit more from a sport-specific program.

Although Apple Fitness Plus lets you customize your programs, I think it lacks guidance on how to stick to it, and this is where it could use some new AI capabilities to motivate you. It would also be nice to have a personal trainer option (even at an additional cost) for users who want a more personalized experience.

New additions to Apple Fitness Plus

With the latest iOS 18 software update, Apple Fitness Plus has also gotten a facelift. The update lets you create your own personalized space and has new search features. The search features are useful because you can filter based on class, instructor, workout duration, equipment, and even music type. Fitness Plus rewards have also been enhanced and you can explore the library spaces. All the new updates are aimed at making the user experience easier and keeping you motivated and consistent with your routine.

Final thoughts

Overall, I think Apple Fitness Plus is an ideal fitness subscription if you’re already an iPhone user or if you’re looking for an easy-to-follow workout program. Its comprehensive nature is engaging and a good way to get back into a fitness routine that keeps you moving in multiple ways. It’s also a good thing that it’s compatible with your Apple devices so you’re always in sync.

You’ll find something you like, whether you like yoga or running. It’s also budget-friendly, so you won’t feel like you’re burning through the cash on monthly fees. If you’re looking for a workout app or want more of a personal training feel, you can always check out some of CNET’s other apps Recommended workout subscriptions.