Apple gets (distanced) match Fitness+ boost with Shareplay

Get fit at a distance

Apple Fitness+ users can now work out or meditate together from different locations with the power of SharePlay, the company has announced. And Fitness+ will be made available in 15 more countries from November 3.

Apple Fitness+ introduced support for SharePlay from October 25, 2021. It means you can workout in your front room using Fitness+ and do so together with family, friends and anyone else you fancy sharing a little socially distanced sweat with using iPad, iPhone or Mac, the company says in a release. SharePlay makes it possible for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users to have shared experiences with friends and family while on a FaceTime call.

Toward a  health insurance business

Apple also told us that from November 1, 2021, as part of their plan benefits, approximately 3 million fully insured UnitedHealthcare members in nearly every state in the US can enroll with Apple Fitness+ for a year-long subscription, at no additional cost.

UnitedHealthcare recently expanded its work with Apple to provide millions of members with access to Apple Fitness+. This is the first such offer for Fitness+ by a health insurance provider. Starting November 1, fully insured UnitedHealthcare members in nearly every US state will be able to join Fitness+ for free for a year.

Also read: How make Apple Watch stats better during Workouts

Starting next year, employers with self-funded health plans will be able to purchase an Apple Fitness Bundle, which provides a 12-month subscription to Apple Fitness+ as well as a $25 Apple digital gift card. More information about the Apple Fitness+ offer is available at uhc.com/apple-fitness-plus.

Feel the (distant) burn

Fitness+ subscribers can use SharePlay to start a group workout or meditation with up to 32 of their friends and family while using FaceTime on an iPhone or iPad, and the selected Fitness+ session will stream completely in sync for every participant.

Once on a FaceTime call, users will navigate to the Fitness app, select a workout or meditation, see their friends and family onscreen, and get started. You can also use an Apple TV to take part while staying connected with friends on FaceTime using their iPhone or iPad. When working out in a group through SharePlay, users will see their metrics and progress toward closing their Activity rings, while also seeing and hearing friends. During a workout, when someone moves ahead on the Burn Bar or closes their Activity rings, everyone working out will be notified.

Country Expansion

Fitness+ is currently available in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and the US. Beginning November 3, 2021, Fitness+ will be available in 15 new countries with the addition of Austria, Brazil, Colombia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates. Fitness+ will be available in English, with subtitles in Brazilian Portuguese, English, French, German, Italian, Russian, and Spanish.

Available in English, Fitness+ offers subtitles in Brazilian Portuguese, English, French, German, Italian, Russian, and Spanish.

Workouts include High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), Strength, Yoga, Dance, Core, Cycling, Pilates, Meditation, Treadmill (for running and walking), Rowing, and Mindful Cooldown, along with the excellent Time to Walk series. The latter now adds an episode from writer, educator, and actor, Marilee Talkington, who has appeared on the Apple TV+ series “See” and speaks about defying expectations and how she helps empower others to do the same.

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