We used Apple Fitness Plus for two months. Here’s what you need to know
Often in our reviews the question is “Is this thing good?”, but for the Apple Fitness+ review the real question becomes “Who is it good for?”. Four Verge staffers spent months exercising with Apple’s latest service to see how it compares to others like Peloton and if it's worth your money.
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What tech do you use for your workout?
Apple Watch SE and fitness pluss
youtube
@@rohaanmanzoor3268 ah yes the classic
Oculus Quest 2
@@Segel lmfao
Love the different takes all in one video. Everyone's workout is different and they'll all use Apple Fitness differently.
Great to hear that & glad you liked it! 🙌 - Vjeran
Agreed, that alone made this a way more compelling watch than most tech reviews!
Agreed!
Lmao it is better than nothing, I was doing nothing before and I’m basically active everyday now
The editing for “turn the voices down and turn the music up” is sick, such a good touch
I lost 12 pounds one month using it. The system is good, and the trainers are great! For the people who doesn’t work out daily and are still healthy, this is nothing. But for me, it’s life changing.
Yeah, it's a great service. I've been loving it as well. Even as a gym rat, it's been life changing for me.
Congratulations!
What workouts and trainers do you use? Is there enough variety?
Good job! Keep it going 👍🏼
12 pounds in a month. Seriously?
"I'm slug adjacent" Dieter, 2021.
Me too
This is the first in-depth review that I've seen about the service. I'm glad it was from The Verge :)
We got you! 🙌 - Vjeran
this was such a good review, and part of that is how the verge used one of it's biggest strengths, i.e. it's size and number of people, to cover something from multiple angles. I really love the Verge, and this kind of lifted up why for me
🥺 thank you!!
@@TheVerge FLBT is so right
Although you cannot stream it to your tv. Other than that great review
@@TheVerge go IC bbbbbbbbff cm toy thank everyone I am nkkkkngvnjmm hi jk kjkkknm Uiuujjjjj I juiioo u ukulele
I enjoyed the incorporation of everyone’s conclusions on their time with the app. Everyone’s workouts are slightly different and the multiple viewpoints showed just that.
I think it would be fair to include the overhead costs of owning a peloton bike vs. generic w/AF+. Or also AF+ vs. peloton digital only. The costs can vary greatly and definitely would affect engagement and the need to stick with a platform if invested.
This is my favorite The Verge review so far. I really enjoyed the format of getting different perspectives which was perfect for a product that feels very different for different users.
**DISCLAIMER** You cannot send this to your TV with Airplay in iOS 14.4. You will see a black screen. Apparently this will be fixed in iOS 14.5
I assumed apple did this on purpose. Good to know
@@khill704 I mean obviously not on purpose if they’re going to fix it in the next update
@@HemanthYalamanchili obviously they didn’t know it was going to be fixed
@@khill704 Hanlon's razor
Glad to here this! My iPhones a little too small!
This was a great format. Loved all then perspectives!
Woohoo! Love to hear that feedback! (Constructive criticism also welcomed 😉) - Vjeran
I'm glad you posted this review after 2 months of using it! I think the issue with apple fitness is that there was WAYYYY to many free stuff out there, and unless you're just super busy, you can develop your own routine
This is a really good review. There was a lot of time and effort put into
This review is it. I like the style. It offers different problems, perspectives, and conclusions. This pretty much answers all the questions I had about the service.
Agreed. Just put the damn app on MacBooks apple ffs.
Or buy a $50 Lightning to HDMI adapter
Yeah, I kinda don’t get it either...
@@daniebello i read that it doesn’t work with the lightning to hdmi adapters. Typical apple. But does work with usb c to hdmi so it’ll work with the newer ipads
I would expect it after the airplay roll out is done
Or full airplay support. Doesn’t even show the ring or stats when you use airplay and like, why?
I love it so far. I love the trainer's style. Apple is going for the general market which is key because the average person may not want to go for something like a Peloton. I think it's a key app to keep the general public healthy. It's maybe for beginners/casuals, but that's not a bad thing at all. It's all their first few months, so don't expect it all off the bat. I agree however that it should be available without the need to go buy the latest apple tv or a tv with apple airplay included. I ended up having both, so worked out for me, but it should be on the Macbooks as standard too.
This was such a grat review. Love what the Verge crew is doing lately.
Just wanna give a huge thumbs up to this review, I miss this dedicated wide reviews of products and services. Lately all tech reviews, including the ones from The Verge sometimes, try something for two days and you can see the lack of insight on the experience and the rushing. This is how it's done, I'm happy waiting for weeks or months to get a better review. Kudos to all the team.
One very important aspect of Apple fitness classes that i really appreciate is that it tends to revolve around the medical recommended work out duration for optimum health - 15 to 20 minutes. I personally prefer longer work outs, but I sometimes do not have the time to do a longer work out. Watch your heart rate variability spike up as you do apple fitness classes. You don't get overly sore and can do work out every day. I like the classes a lot.
Where are you getting that number from? I’ve always heard an hour a day at least
@@BlueEyesToon this is result of studies on elderly people observed from the 1960s until now. the researchers found that 15 min activities was enough to keep people healthy. As for sports and improving your fitness level, I'd go 40min. Apple workouts are a wonderful way to get in the habit and improve your base level form to take on more challenging work outs.
I kinda disagree with Ashley's conclusion, the path forward for Apple shouldn't be to provide their own equipment but to embrace more open technology (i.e. Ant+, or a Mac Apps) to reduce the barriers for more people to join at the level they want.
I believe that right out of the gate they made a good entrance. The fact that they are adding workouts each and every Monday is great as well as the time to walk.
We need more collaborate videos like this, this was tons of fun!! This is something I didn't realize we needed
This is one the best reviews I’ve ever seen. It’s so obvious now that if you have the people, use multiple reviewers for each product! It’s a much more comprehensive look.
I gotta admit, I would actually appreciate one like the SNL skit, where the trainers are passive aggressive and mean. The current trainers are too nice and supportive, which doesn’t help me at all.
Apple would never go for that lmao
😂😂😂😂😂😂
They could do that and still be nice though. For instance “ push it some more, you are in the bottom of the pack, you can do this” if they would call you out based on your stats would help.
It's very Hollywood, which I know is obvious but I would love some more realism and human acting from the coaches. I want to do workouts that have them also feeling the burn, not smiling like robots throughout a round of burpees and saying "Motivational quote 321" to the camera.
@@braddavister137 Oh that would be cool
Ive Gotta say this is such a well done video, production value is huge, all the different viewpoints and honest opinions really made this video great. Thanks for such a good video to watch!
In this quarantine,having a professional continuously motivating you to workout is very helpful.I like the service ❤️
I would definitely buy it if I ever worked out
10:15 totally on board with the assessment here
It’s awkwardly uncomfortable 😆
Excellent job guys, I’d call that a useful, compact yet comprehensive review. I’m subscribed!
Since no ones gonna say it. THANK YOU for the aspect ratio. Your videos look great on my iPhone!
Great review
YES @ THE MACBOOK THING IT DRIVES ME CRAZY THAT I CANT DO WORKOUTS ON MY COMPUTER
Totally agree with wishing I could turn up the music and down the talking. Particularly in the dancing workouts, I’m here to dance! I also wish there was a clear way to give feedback to apple on all these things.
Love this guy’s review! So clean and to the point! 👌
It’s reviewed like this that make me love The Verge. Thank you all so much!
Excellent review format!
Excellent review. Loved all the various points of view and exercise levels and preferences. Thank you!
LOOOOVE your review. So cool to hear a selection of different perspectives with really thoughtful insights - thank you! I absolutely relate to the gripes raised here so it's good to know them before getting invested!
The treadmill workouts are 🔥
insanely well rounded video. nice one guys, thanks 😊
I’ve been using it and I love it
Great video, thanks for the review!
Excellent, thank you, very helpful.
I’d like to see Apple add sensor support to connect heart rate monitors, speed, cadence and power. I don’t the trainers being a little vague on instructions as long as I can see a personalized and specific intensity onscreen
I agree with the general sentiments in this video. It's cool and has good groundwork down, but just not quite there yet for me. Maybe they'll improve upon it a bunch and throw another trial out once they do and get me hooked. It's a little too limited in what it offers, how you can watch the videos and a bit too clunky to find things when you're looking for specific workouts.
That portion between 10.18 to 10.45!!! Brilliantly put 🤣
This format of review is really cool. Maybe do the same for other devices too?
i don't think i'd ever use something like this but i gotta echo the rest of these comments saying this is a really well put together video. really highlights the strengths (heh) of the whole group, impeccable editing, just like. it's a good video. 10/10
Great video as always from The Verge team. Due to my gym currently being shut in the UK due to the pandemic, I’ve been doing two 3km walks per day, where I use the Apple Watch Series 6 to track my fitness.
Thank you for watching! - Vjeran
Great review and interesting with different reviewers!
Dieter is spot-on about the vibe from the trainers 😂
On my series 6, Waiting !!
Now, THAT'S A GREAT REVIEW! THIS right here Is the kinds of review I subscribed to watch on The Verge. Visually interesting reviews that actually shows how a product appeal to all kinds of people. Kudos for such a great video! (Is it just me or the video gets instantly cooler when Becca gets the camera?)
🥺🥰 thank you! - Vjeran
I enjoy it. I already have my favourite trainers but have been in since the beginnings. I do find now tho I have taken the moves I enjoy the lost and just made my own workouts. I do come back every Monday tho to see what’s new
Monica brought up a good point about the limited time frame of the workouts, but I actually view that as a positive. I like the shorter times of the workouts because I try to do a minimum of an hour a day and because all of the Fitness+ workouts are shorter than that...I need to string some together to hit my time target...and with that, I’m putting more variety in my workouts than I did pre-Fitness+. I definitely would like to see longer workouts, but I do find the shorter ones useful for the sake of variety of workout sessions. As for Time to Walk...I haven’t gotten a chance to try that one out yet (need some better weather)! I’m interested though and looking forward to trying it!
I go by the mantra of daily 20-30 minute fitness is better then 1-2 60 min plus workouts. You don’t need more then 45 minutes a day.
Easy moderate or hard just goes back to our RPE rate and having a good understanding of fitness but even if you don’t know that terminology you you’re so still knows what feels extremely hard and what feels like a piece you can keep up with the pace that you feel like you can improve with
Poor Vjeran, he did nothing wrong. Thank you to all the people who worked behind the camera, you do not get thanked enough :)
Lol! Appreciate you! 😄 - Vjeran
I like it a lot. I would say I am in the advanced category and already have my own routine, but I never saw this as a replacement. It is additive and fills in the gaps on my less intense days. More importantly though, it provides variety, as I was not doing any yoga before for example.
production quality 🙌🏻
I liked seeing all the Verge employees in a single video. Please do that more often.
Great review, but ... my only concern is the recurring use of Peleton as a reference point, because being from Sweden I’ve never heard about it before this review.
What about les millson demand? I’m using it and it’s great
I am working on my own On Demand Fitness Platform now so I am checking on competition :) Great video! Thanks
I love the idea of Fitness + and the watch feature is cool. Unfortunately all of the workouts are beginner level. They need an intermediate and advanced option. Les Mills and Beachbody have superior workouts.
I’m semi-interested, but for me it also means finding an iPad mount for my bike. I just bought a stationary trainer like Dieter, but it’s not going in my living room! Can anyone speak to how they liked the workouts via AirPlay? I remember hearing it won’t show your fitness info on the screen without an Apple TV.
6:05 THANK YOU for covering that. Most people can't get Fitness plus on their TV. Who wants to work out watching a tiny phone screen?
uhh , a lightning to hdmi cable?
Such a weird limitation. Apple TV+ is on a bunch of different smart TVs and devices now - Roku, Fire TV, Samsung & LG TVs, Playstation, etc. why couldn't they do the same for Fitness+?
@@a12345678a11ex doesn’t work either!
Can’t you airplay it? Airplay is supported on a wider range of devices than running the app natively.
The walk with me is great.
I signed up for Apple Fitness+ and really like it. I do treadmill, HIIT, and am about to buy a rowing machine. I like the way it game-ifies my fitness time, and I am try to complete all the treadmill workouts, which might take me another year. Definitely good, if you’ve got Apple devices.
Man looks perfect for me. Any idea on when it's launching in India?
I love the Verge so much
Dang. As a 43-year-old, Gen X - who’s all in on Apple One Sub - and recently purchased a bike trainer for my bike as well. I felt like I was listening to myself as Dieter talked. Ha. I do need to try out those guided walks though. Those sound pretty cool. I heard about them but completely forgot to check them out.
Verge is an island.. serene and almost unique✨
Good balanced review
i looove that multiple people participated in this review
Love how the video was created.
I like it (got a 3 month free trial with my new watch) but....I need more equipment to make it worth it. I have a treadmill and some weights but that's it. For me personally, I'd need a stationary bike and a rowing machine too. The other workouts aren't really my thing. So I probably won't be keeping it past my trial. Agree that it's more for beginners or people who don't have a structure to their workouts (me). I just did a walk while listening to music, podcasts or audio books and would adjust speed occasionally. Having the trainers nudging with incline or speed increases and stuff was nice.
This service it’s not available in brazil, sadly . I would love to use apple fitness +
I hope apple adds more mindfulness things especially in the age of COVID. I know for a lot of students like myself and peers, mentally speaking, it’s been a challenge with online school, the lack of physical interaction and being stuck in the house. It’s take a serious toll on all of us but kids and students significantly. I think did good with fitness+ as a beginning stage and for beginners like myself but of course there’s always room for improvement.
Great review! The service is how I thought it would be. Really wish the time to walk feature was available separately like the guided runs for the Nike run+ app. For some people that need a bigger screen but don’t own other Apple products such as the TV our bigger iPad, one could also use the lightning to hdmi adaptor that works wonders!
Whenever I go to the gym I get injured and basically have to skip a months of exercise, but with the proper techniques and warmups of Apple, it all comes together nicely! Not perfect, but great for techies! 8/10
Great review!
Is there a way to use the app without having to connect to Wifi on my phone?
Apple really does a good job when designing based on user experience.
Or not, no searchbar, we can only see the last few episode of coaches impossible to find firsts episodes… etc
Now Apple fitness has become better and more fun to do workouts. I'm a beginner and their workouts are helping me achieve my fitness goals, I'm halfway through and I'm seeing results already. 🙌🏻 Highly recommend it, and you don't need an Apple Watch anymore to start working out.
These vids never miss
I agreeeee I hated using it from my phone I wish it ws integrated with apple tv which I have on my fire stick
in the tried but didn’t stick camp. also, thanks for making video just in time to remind me to cancel my free trial
My main complaint is that intermediate and advanced weightlifters need not apply. Of course they’re unlikely to show us heavy barbell lifts, but it would be nice to see full-body dumbbell routines.
Best review ever! Truly honest and unbiased.
Nice steel bikes in the video. Cool review.
Love having multiple different takes on the same app. Super helpful and the diversity of opinion was enlightening
Glad you liked it! Definitely curious to see what people think of this format for future videos. - Vjeran
I agree with most of your annoyances about Fitness+. No MacBook integration, bit too over enthusiastic, lack of proper filters (particularly for fitness levels) and distinct lack of diverse content. Personally I’ve been using FIIT (Not sure if available in the US, UK here 👋). And it’s just better established, more diverse, friendly but not too in your face trainers and stuff that keeps me engaged to keep coming back.
Agree with everyone reviewing the service.
Fitness+ isnt even available where I live, but still enjoyed this
I haven’t tried this yet but I have an Apple Watch, iPad Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, air pods and iMac so I have the ecosystem. I am looking to trial this so I can give up my gym membership.
Just use AirPlay to stream to your MacBook if your screen is so small.
Ty
Loooove Apple Fitness +!