Apple's Jay Blahnik Explains How Fitness+ Will Work for Beginners

Apple's Fitness+ service is set to launch next Monday, and ahead of its debut, Apple's senior director of fitness technologies Jay Blahnik has been doing interviews to explain how it all works.

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In an interview with Fast Company he spoke about how Apple Fitness+ is tailored to users of all levels, explaining details on how it will work for beginners.

Each Fitness+ video includes three different trainers on the screen at the same time, and at least one of these trainers will be doing a "modified" version of the workout that's simpler or less taxing. In a cycling workout, for example, one trainer might pedal more slowly, or in a yoga workout, one of the trainers might do simpler poses. In many cases, the alternate trainers you see in workout videos will be the leads of other kinds of workouts.

Apple has also added a series of 10 to 20 minute videos for those who are new to workouts and not ready for the standard workouts. These videos have a single instructor and provide instructions on equipment setup or how to do a particular exercise.

"One of the things we've heard that's been consistent is that working out is tough for people," Blahnik tells me. "If you're a beginner, it's tough because you don't know what to do, you don't know where to start, or maybe you're not in great shape and going to a gym or taking a class is actually way too much ... of a commitment when you're brand-new."

"It was clear to us from the very beginning that if we could do something to make working out a better experience for everybody, that felt like a really great thing to do for Apple Watch customers," Blahnik says.

The app is also designed to offer up suggestions for new workouts based on the workout types that people have completed. "We've done some really intelligent things to make it simple to get to your next best workout," said Blahnik.

The algorithm will suggest the workout types that people prefer, but it will also offer up recommendations for complementary exercises. For those who like to run or cycle, as an example, Fitness+ might suggest a HIIT workout or a yoga routine.

Fitness+ is set to launch on Monday, December 14. It's priced at $9.99 per month and also included in the $29.99 per month Apple One bundle. Apple is giving those who purchased an Apple Watch Series 6, Apple Watch SE, or Apple Watch Series 3 after September 15, 2020 a free three-month trial.

For more on Fitness+, make sure to check out our guide.

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Top Rated Comments

artfossil Avatar
60 months ago
I'm pleased to see that Apple has given thought to workouts for beginners, which also includes those who are older or who are rehabbing.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zacpme Avatar
60 months ago
This is the best article/interview I've seen yet: https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a34862533/apple-fitness-plus-streaming-exercise-videos/
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple Freak Avatar
60 months ago
This is intriguing to me, I used to be in pretty good shape, played ice hockey and all kinds of sports but that was years ago. I plan on starting with some of the beginner stuff and seeing how it goes.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Alan Wynn Avatar
60 months ago

Will profiles for each family member using the app need to be setup on the Apple TV?
Yes, that is current approach.

I assume this will be required if each users watch is going to show data on the screen.
At launch, from my understanding, only one user can be paired at a time. The plan is to make it so two or more people can be using it at once with their data being displayed at the same time.

Since the iPad doesn't support multiple profiles this won't work so well with the iPad i use with my bike.
It is possible that the Fitness+ App will support multiple profiles even if the device as a whole does not.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
unashamedgeek Avatar
60 months ago
I'm concerned they aren't going to have long enough or hard enough workouts. Finding services and videos that offer workouts that are 30 minutes or less is pretty easy. I'd like to see something more in the P90X area for duration and intensity. That's my other concern, this all seems like one-off workouts without being a program. The one-off might work well for cardio style workouts, but I don't see how that works for strength based that focus on areas unless everything is just total body.

Edit: I admit that for $80 this is a day one buy for me and I'll be comparing it the subscription I already pay for Beach Body.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dandoodle Avatar
60 months ago
Looking forward to giving the three month trial ago.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)