Apple Holds 'Close the Rings' Apple Watch Fitness Challenge for Employees

In February, Apple held a "Close the Rings" Apple Watch fitness challenge for its employees, designed to encourage them to be more active.

Employees who completed all stand, movement, and exercise challenges on the Apple Watch each day for a month earned an Activity rings pin (which matches in-app badges) and a matching T-shirt. Pins appear to be available in gold, silver, and bronze, based on performance, while the T-shirt being awarded is black with colorful Apple Watch-style rings and text that reads "Close The Rings Challenge 1.0" on the back.

appleclosetherings

Image via Instagram user gabo_cr7

As noted by French site WatchGeneration many Apple employees have been posting images and messages on social networking sites like Instagram and Twitter, announcing the completion of the challenge.


Each of the pins is accompanied by the following message:

Welcome to the winner's circle.

You did it. You completed the Close the Rings Challenge, and this badge is proof. Wear it, display it, or place it on your fridge.

Let it be a reminder that even though the Challenge is over, your healthier lifestyle is just beginning.

While this challenge is limited to Apple employees, Apple has done public challenges that resulted in special in-app badges. On Thanksgiving, Apple challenged Apple Watch owners to run 3.1 miles as part of a Thanksgiving Day Challenge, and on New Year's, Apple encouraged Apple Watch owners to "Ring In The New Year" by closing all three Activity rings each day for a week in January.

Apple's Close the Rings employee challenge appears to coincide with a new "Close Your Rings" ad campaign that kicked off in January, but it is part of a series of wellness challenges that Apple encourages employees to complete each month.

Related Roundup: Apple Watch 11
Buyer's Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie. "Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
m5 macbook pro deal

Why You Shouldn't Buy the Next MacBook Pro

Tuesday February 10, 2026 4:27 pm PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models as soon as early March, but if you can, this is one generation you should skip because there's something much better in the works. We're waiting on 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, with few changes other than the processor upgrade. There won't be any tweaks to the design or the display, but later this...
iOS 26

Apple Releases iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3

Wednesday February 11, 2026 10:07 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3, the latest updates to the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 operating systems that came out in September. The new software comes almost two months after Apple released iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. According to Apple's release notes, ...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says These 7 U.S. States Plan to Offer iPhone Driver's Licenses

Monday February 9, 2026 6:24 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
Apple Logo Zoomed

Apple Expected to Launch These 10+ Products Over the Coming Months

Tuesday February 10, 2026 6:33 am PST by
It has been a slow start to 2026 for Apple product launches, with only a new AirTag and a special Apple Watch band released so far. We are still waiting for MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, the iPhone 17e, a lower-cost MacBook with an iPhone chip, long-rumored updates to the Apple TV and HomePod mini, and much more. Apple is expected to release/update the following products...

Top Rated Comments

115 months ago
Pins appear to be available in gold, silver, and rose gold
Bronze, not rose gold. Gold, silver, and bronze.

You know, like medals.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
busyscott Avatar
115 months ago
Looks like they worked about as hard on designing that t-shirt as they have on the Mac Pro over the last three years.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Asarien Avatar
115 months ago
I want that shirt! Someone please help me.
Dude, you're in too deep with this Apple loyalty thing. It's just a cheap shirt manufactured by international labor.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
115 months ago
Are the pot-bellied Ive, Schiller and Cue excluded?
[doublepost=1491955060][/doublepost]The only type of activity Apple employees should be doing is getting new and better product out of the door.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CaptMarvel Avatar
115 months ago
How's about another public challenge Apple?!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macfacts Avatar
115 months ago
Good for you? Not every company can afford such things, and not everything is done for a cash reward.
Apple can't afford .... LMAO
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)