Apple Fitness+: Australian pricing and launch details
The new service offers fitness training and personalised tracking.
Apple's Fitness+ service, which provides personalised fitness training integrated with workout metrics from the Apple Watch, launches in Australia on 15 December.
"We're excited for Apple Fitness+ to bring together the metrics from Apple Watch, great music, and a diverse and inspiring trainer team — in a uniquely simple, easy-to-access way across Apple devices — to encourage our users to get fit and stay healthy," Apple's senior director of Fitness Technologies Jay Blahnik said in a statement announcing the service.
The initial service includes 10 workout types:
- Core
- Cycling
- Dance
- High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
- Mindful Cooldown
- Rowing
- Strength
- Treadmill (running)
- Treadmill (walking)
- Yoga
New workouts for each type will be added weekly, and additional types are expected to be added in the future. A recommendation engine suggests workouts based on ones you've previously completed.
Video-based workouts already abound, so how will Apple compete? A key factor is tight integration with the Apple Watch. For instance, countdown timers will be automatically shown during tough workouts. Some workouts can include a "Burn Bar" that shows how your performance compares to other people who've recently completed the same workout.
Workout information and completion data are automatically shared between your Apple devices, so you could use an iPad for workouts on the road but switch to Apple TV at home.
To run the service, you'll need the latest operating system on your devices (iOS 14.3, watchOS 7.2, iPadOS 14.3, and tvOS 14.3). Like most Apple services, its appeal is relatively limited if you're an Android user.
How much does Apple Fitness+ cost?
In Australia, Apple Fitness+ costs $14.99 a month, or $119.99 for an annual subscription (a saving of $59.89 a year). That subscription can be shared with up to six family members. If you already own an Apple Watch, you'll get one month of free access. New purchases of an Apple Watch Series 3 or later get three months free, though Apple has hinted that this offer may not be ongoing.
If you've signed up for the Apple One Premier bundle, Fitness+ will be included from launch. Apple One Premier costs $39.95 a month and also includes Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade and 2TB of iCloud storage per month. Cheaper Apple One plans don't include Fitness+.
Considering an upgrade for your iPhone? Check out Finder's reviews of the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 Mini.
Image: Apple
