Just in time to help you combat the Christmas weight gain, Apple is back with a big update to its Fitness+ platform. This heart-pumping streaming service has been trying to get users up off the sofa since it launched back in 2020 and now features even more ways to get active and reduce those January stress levels.
From Monday 6 January, subscribers will be able to access a swathe of bonus features aimed at building muscle, keeping calm and getting more exercise. So what’s new?
Firstly, Apple Fitness+ has improved its strength training thanks to the launch of an all-new progressive program that guides you through the process of building and maintaining strength. To help you look more like Thor than Mr Bean, there are now a dozen 30-minute workouts aimed at targeting every major muscle group.
Next, there’s a nice change if you love a bit of Yoga with Fitness+ adding workshop-style experience sessions called Yoga Peak Poses. These have been created to help you master and get more confident when trying specific poses such as Dancer, Twisted Hand to Big Toe, and Crow.
Another new addition from Apple’s fitness team is Pickleball training. It might not have taken the UK by storm just yet, but this is now one of the world’s fastest-growing sports and is especially big in the US. It’s a mix of badminton, tennis, and table tennis and to help you master this activity, Fitness+ now offers a Strength, Endurance, and Agility for Pickleball program. It even features guidance from professional pickleball champion Catherine Parenteau, who has been ranked No. 1 in the world.
If you fancy giving it a go, the program includes a mix of exercises inspired by Parenteau’s own training regimen, all designed to help you feel confident and perform your best on the court.
Along with Catherine Parenteau joining Fitness+, professional dancer Alex Wong has also recorded a special 20-minute Dance workout to get your heart rate up.
Other changes in this Apple Fitness+ release include an introduction to Breath Meditation which is aimed at helping users manage stress and enhance focus. There are also more stars coming to the Artist Spotlight series including Janet Jackson (starting January 13), Coldplay (starting January 20), Bruno Mars. There are also more famous faces coming to the Time to Walk feature.
This will allow you to listen to more stories from the likes of award-winning actor and comedian Adam Scott, record producer Steve Aoki and popstar Rita Ora as you go on your daily stroll.
Finally, Fitness+ says it is now collaborating with Strava, to bring a new integration to the Strava experience, and a special offer to Strava subscribers. That means new and existing Strava subscribers can redeem up to three months of Fitness+ at no cost.
As a quick reminder, Fitness+ is available on a host of Apple devices and costs £9.99 per month or £79.99 for the year.
