For the whole of quarantine, I’ve been locked in the same sad, hunched-over-a-laptop position on my living room couch. This hasn’t just given me tech neck, but made my entire body feel like it’s one giant knot. While in theory, it’s nothing that a daily foam rolling session couldn’t fix, I’ve been lacking the energy and self-motivation to do most things, let alone any form of active stretching or working out. In fact, I resigned myself to the fact that pulling myself out of this fitness slump would warrant a prompt of herculean proportions.
Amid the pandemic, and now the cold, dark descent into winter, many of us are more confined to our homes than ever before. Limited access to gyms and fitness studios, teamed with the general dystopian stress of the world, has left the odds stacked against us for regular, invigorating exercise. This is where at-home fitness by way of virtual classes, YouTube workout videos, and futuristic home systems such as Mirror and Peloton, come into play. When social distancing first began, I set out with the best of intentions for maintaining a fitness routine to help me stay active and stockpile much-needed endorphins, but ultimately my disjointed attempt at a routine (if you could even call the occasional streaming yoga class or outdoor run that) waned quickly and dramatically. Beyond daily sanity walks, I had essentially succumbed to my sluggishness, and it didn’t feel good—for my mind or body.
However, a glimmer of hope arrived earlier this fall with announcement of Apple Fitness+, the tech giant’s new, long-awaited fitness streaming service, out today. Among the rapid increase of similar offerings spurred by social distancing, there were a few things that set it apart. For one, there’s no way around the fact that Apple, with its cutting-edge drops, uncompromising standards, and total ubiquity, is deeply embedded in my life. Beyond the usual suspects (iPhone, MacBook, and Apple TV), I’m also an off-and-on Apple Watch user. So when I learned that the tech giant was building its fitness system around its wrist gadget, which has been helpful in keeping me in tune with my general wellness, my interest was piqued. This could be the thing to finally bring my body back into balance.
Needless to say, the time is perfect for Apple’s foray into the at-home fitness game. After testing the new system for a few days myself, I’m pleased to report it’s exactly what I hoped it would be: An intuitive, all-encompassing, and more affordable interactive workout system that I can tailor to both my fitness goals and logistical limits—particularly as they pertain to time, low-motivation, and the lack of space in my Brooklyn apartment. Below, a breakdown of what you need to know about the Apple Fitness+ system.
It’s Built Around Apple Watch
There’s nothing like the instant gratification supplied by wearable fitness trackers. In this spirit, Apple Fitness+ hinges on the Apple Watch and its live metrics so that you can see your heart rate, the calories you’ve burned, and where you stand on your activity goals based on your activity rings, which track and display how much you’ve completed. A fitness tracker not only keeps you accountable but, according to the American Journal of Medicine, also helps to boost motivation and accelerate physical activity.
It’s Accessible Anytime, Anywhere
If nothing else, quarantining at home has taught us how to adapt to small-space situations. In terms of optimizing your layout, having the right virtual tools in your toolbox helps. A lot. This is why one of the most exciting components for me is that the Fitness+ app works across the iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV in sync. It’s easy to oscillate between them as needed based on activity type, negotiating space with others, or just switching things up. While ideal for the times, Fitness+’s inherent mobility also lends itself to working out outdoors and on the go once traveling resumes.