Apple Fitness+ Guided Walks: Celebrity Workouts on Your Apple Watch

Apple has introduced an interesting addition to its Fitness+ premium workout service. Approximately a month and a half after the initial launch of Fitness+, the company is releasing a supplementary feature designed to expand exercise options beyond iOS devices and the home environment. Available today for Fitness+ subscribers, Time to Walk presents a new, guided walking experience led by a rotating selection of well-known personalities.

The initial group of hosts is quite varied, as demonstrated by the first announced names, which are being delivered through a software update. This first set includes Dolly Parton – a celebrity with widespread appeal in 2021 – and Draymond Green, a professional basketball player whose recognition may be more limited. Also participating in the launch are musician Shawn Mendes and actress Uzo Aduba, known for her role in “Orange Is the New Black.”

Currently, five episodes are available, accessible as activity cards within the Apple Watch Workout app. These cards should begin appearing in the app’s feed very soon. Future episodes will be added on a weekly basis.

The concept is simple. Apple invites guests to record themselves during a walk, sharing personal anecdotes and a selection of three songs. The app plays the music and displays visuals on the screen to create an engaging, yet unobtrusive, accompaniment to the user’s own walk. Users have the option to save the songs to an Apple Music playlist or revisit the episode at a later time. For individuals who use wheelchairs, the feature is presented as “Time to Push,” building upon Apple’s existing wheelchair fitness tracking capabilities.

Participation requires an active Apple Fitness+ subscription, due to its close integration with the premium fitness service. Both features are also connected to other Apple services, such as Music, which the company has established as a core component of its workout offerings.

I have always enjoyed walking – preferring it to driving or public transportation whenever feasible. However, the past year has significantly increased my focus on walking as both a reason to leave my apartment and a means of exercising while gyms were closed. It has been a substantial factor in maintaining my well-being during the pandemic.

Typically, I listen to music or podcasts while walking. I have experimented with “walking meditations” previously, but found them less effective when navigating a busy environment like the 59th Street Bridge in Manhattan. Time to Walk offers a different approach, simulating the experience of walking alongside another person. Guests share their thoughts and experiences in a conversational manner, relating often personal stories. The intention is that walking can be a beneficial activity for clearing the mind, particularly for creative individuals.

According to Apple’s Jay Blahnik, “Walking is the most popular physical activity globally and one of the most beneficial things we can do for our health. A walk can be more than just exercise; it can help clear your thoughts, solve problems, or gain a new perspective.” He continued, “Even during these challenging times, walking has remained accessible to many. With Time to Walk, we’re providing weekly original content to Apple Watch within Fitness+ featuring a diverse range of inspiring and entertaining guests to encourage our users to stay active through the power of walking.”

Similar to Fitness+, this new feature is timely, as many regions, including the U.S., continue to experience pandemic-related restrictions. With ongoing reports of new variants and cautions against resuming normal activities, Time to Walk aims to provide engaging companionship during walks.