Apple, that’s not what I meant when I said Fitness + Needs Goals

When Fitness + fell a few weeks ago, we were quite impressed with the launch, but the service is not perfect. One of our gripes was that you could only filter workouts by music, length, and trainer – those of us hoping to run by goal (i.e. run a 5k, make our way to a pull-up, etc.) or intensity were out of luck. That’s why, when I opened the Fitness + app today to browse the new workouts that drop every Monday, I was pleasantly surprised.

A video message from HIIT trainer Kim Ngo greeted me at the top of the app, with a description that Lily: “Limited Edition Goal Setting Workouts and New Prizes.” My eyebrows flew into the stratosphere. Obviously, Fitness + is still in the works, but it had to be record speed for a fitness app implementing early user feedback. In the video, Kim – who despite her bubbly personality is a cardio murder machine – pointed out two workouts this week that are part of a “goal-setting series.” Oh there is a new limited edition challenge for Apple Watch owners in the New Year (close the three rings for seven days in a row at some point in January.)

I was delighted. I did the two highlighted workouts: a 20 minute strength training and a 10 minute HIIT workout. I’m sweaty enough. What I didn’t realize was that what Apple meant by “goal setting” wasn’t some type of fitness program … as much as the instructors encouraging me to start running. on my New Years fitness goals. Because, did you hear? IApparently it’s a new year.

In strength training, coach Gregg mostly talked about how I should note what were my weaknesses and strengths, and that I needed to focus on the areas in which I wanted to become stronger in the coming year. Well yeah. But getting some pretty obvious advice and pep talk wasn’t exactly what I meant when I said Fitness + should include goal-oriented programs.

Other fitness apps often include a few programs that let you work out something. In running applications, these are often structured classes like a sofa at 5 km or improving your pace over a specific distance over a period of 8 to 32 weeks. In Aaptiv there are programs on the topic “Get stronger,“ which is a collection of classes ranging from goals such as’ muscle gain,“ learn how to use kettlebells or perfect your pushup. While Fitness + offers an Absolute Beginner program to help complete beginners participate in various types of training, that’s about it.

That’s not to say Fitness + is bad, it just underscores that this platform is built around the idea of ​​connecting more with Apple’s ecosystem. A stupid part of my lizard brain definitely said, “Ooh! Limited edition badge that ultimately means nothing? Sign me up! What a great integration! »Do I feel more prompted to do Fitness + workouts every time I receive a notification on my wrist that a friend just finished a Fitness + workout? Unfortunately yes. I am a fitness lemming. Whipping in Apple Music, there is now an Apple Fitness + Studio Series since its launch, a group of playlists curated by instructors for different genres and types of workouts. If you browse the accessories in Apple’s online store, you will now find product links instructors use in videos, including a $ 120 Manduka Yoga Mat.

What Apple does with Fitness + is basically take a page from Marvel’s playbook and create a universe of interconnected. products, services and personalities. It’s no different than what Peloton has It’s done, but the cost of entry is lower because, even if you’ve bought an Apple Watch, iPad, and Apple TV, it’s still possible to get it all for less than the price of a Peloton bike. (But unlike Peloton, Fitness + requires at least a few hardware: you can subscribe to the Peloton app without spending money on a bike.)

Cynically speaking, you could convincingly demonstrate that Fitness + is first an Apple ad and then a fitness app. It’s a bit hard, considering there are some things Fitness + does really well. The service is really carefully designed and inclusive. But a lot of that attention lies in how it ties into Apple hardware and services. Just ask the dozens of people who complain in the forums that Fitness + is not compatible with AirPlay 2 for radiant workouts on a bigger screen. It’s not something that was never built to be alone or for play well with other ecosystems. If it were, I don’t think I would be sitting here yearning for some missing features like more goal-oriented programs, options for varied equipment, a focus on intensity and difficulty and possibility. to diffuse my apple– free television.