When Apple rolled out Fitness Plus, I scoffed. I figured I don’t need a “guided workout” and mine was good enough.
After years of being lazy and fat, I started exercising in 2021. I began with an indoor walking workout; basically pacing back and forth in my home office and keeping my heart rate around 120. I also started doing 10,000 steps every day. Last spring, I added push-ups, sit-ups, and air squats 3-5 days a week. I started gaining some strength, which was nice. A friend of mine gave me a piece of exercise equipment similar to the Tony Little Gazelle, and I started using that.
This was beneficial. The brain fog I had went away. I have more energy and strength. My thinking was clearer and got more done. I used to say I didn’t have time to work out. Now I realize I don’t have time to NOT work out.
But I had no real variety. About a week and a half ago, I upgraded to the Apple Watch 8. I gave my old 6 to my wife. After my run to Best Buy and setting the watch up, I was already into the afternoon and hadn’t done a workout. I tried to switch things up and run in place for 20 minutes. Then my legs were so sore I could barely walk for 3 days.
I thought what the Hell? I’ve been working out. Yes, but I’d been doing the same two workouts for a year and a half. I should have known better.
Fitness +
I started looking at the 3 month trial of Fitness +, and figured “why not?” I wasn’t sure I’d use it much.
Of course, it only works on three devices: iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. It does not work in the Apple TV app on Roku or on my iMac. I started using it on my iPad, set up on a tray table in my office. But this setup is sub-optimal. If you are in a workout that includes floor work, you have to pause and move the iPad. I broke down and bought the 4k Apple TV so I can use it on my television.
So far, I find a lot of benefit from Apple Fitness. I could probably handle the more advanced workouts, but I’ve been working through the beginner level. At least I have the conditioning to handle them, although being middle age, my balance on my right knee isn’t so good.
It displays the rings from your watch on the screen, and offers a timer for how long you’ve been doing the workout. Or if you’re in a specific exercise, it will count down. In the HIIT workouts, you’ll do 30 seconds at a time.
One nice benefit is I can pause the workout right from my watch to get a drink or move my mouse. Sometimes on slow days when I’m working at home I’ll do my workout, then if an email or Teams message comes in I can pause and handle it.
The Workouts
Each workout includes three trainers. One trainer will be in the foreground leading the workout. The others stand behind and to the left and right of the leader. They will explain the exercises and form, and offer different ways to the the exercise. One trainer will typically do it lower intensity and the other higher intensity. But it’s helpful and motivating and I like this format.
Conclusion
I’ve completed most of the beginner Strength, HIIT, and Kickboxing workouts. I might try dance or Pilates tomorrow. I’m not going to do Yoga for my own reasons, but there seem to be plenty of workouts available. Today I tried one of the mindful cooldowns. I think this might be a useful service.
