Walking dogs in autumn: I test Apple Fitness+ at home

In the cool season, the cat-cow or the dog looking down outside in the meadow quickly get cold paws. So I prefer to do these yoga poses in my living room in autumn. That's why I'm trying out Apple's yoga programme for at home. It's part of the paid subscription "Fitness+" that Apple has been offering for a year now.

If you're in the Apple cosmos, you may have come across the fitness app with the coloured rings. It lands on your iPhone when you download iOS 16.1 or pair it with an Apple Watch. You can also find it on Apple TV.

Until recently, only those who owned an Apple Watch could follow the fitness call from Cupertino. Since 24 October, the company has somewhat opened the gates to its paid subscription. Now you just need an iPhone to break a sweat with the app.

Fitness+ costs 12.90 Swiss francs / 9.99 euros a month - or 99.00 Swiss francs / 79.99 euros a year. If you buy a new device - iPhone, Watch, iPad or Apple TV - Apple gives you three free trial months. If you don't buy a new device, you get one free month.

In addition to yoga, there are 5- to 45-minute workouts in the categories of strength, HIIT (high-intensity interval training), mindful cool-down, Pilates, treadmill, cycling, dancing, core, rowing, walking and meditation. Currently, the workouts are guided exclusively in English. Subtitles in other languages are possible, but quickly become impractical - especially for the yoga flow.

How does it work?

I select my workouts in the fitness app. To do so, click on the "Fitness+" tab. On the overview page, I select Yoga and can filter the episodes by release date, trainer, duration or music.

When I click on the green "Let's go" button, an interesting interaction begins. At the same moment, my Apple Watch joins in. It jumps into workout mode on its own and starts measuring my heartbeat and calorie consumption. It also displays these measurements to the left of trainer Jessica on the screen. Fantastic!

Now all I have to do is follow the workout. Most of the time, the 6.1-inch display of my iPhone is too small for me to do that. So I send the episode via Airplay to my 77-inch TV, where I can better watch the yoga flows filmed in 4K. This step also works flawlessly most of the time - only a few times does the connection between iPhone, Apple Watch and TV break down.

When I'm away from home, I watch the lessons on my Macbook or iPad. If you have an Apple TV box, you can also select your workouts directly in the TV app. The intelligent interaction of Fitness+ with my iPhone, Apple Watch and TV is very convincing. But how are the yoga classes?

Flowing exercises, beautiful combinations ...

I find the movements and sequences good overall. The sequences are varied and I always discover nice new stretches. Trainer Jonelle and trainer Molly lead me through comfortable "slow flows" without crazy contortions. That means there are a few careful vinyasas and cosy warrior poses in these episodes.

In the "Energetic Flows", on the other hand, you will also find flying doves, crows or other challenging positions. With several repetitions of certain sequences, these episodes leave me quite out of breath - just as it should be.

Also, the tips on how to get out of the way are very useful.

The tips on posture are also understandable and sometimes really cleverly explained. For example, trainer Jessica uses simple metaphors to show you how to position your hands correctly in the downward dog position.

Fitness+ wants you to be fit and healthy.

Fitness+ wants to make the training sessions especially accessible to beginners. That's why a person in the background shows simpler versions of the exercises. I find that appealing. Also that trainers have different ages and bodies.

... yet little yoga feeling

I find the music that accompanies each yoga episode - and most other workouts - less good. For the first time, I realise this in one of trainer Dustin's sessions. I raise my arms, take a deep breath and am about to flow through the sun salutation - but the pumping bass distracts me from my inner peace. It somehow doesn't connect with the "hip-hop/R&B" playlist in the background.

Unfortunately, many episodes feature the "Chill Vibes" playlist. But you won't just find neutral electronic beats there either. Suddenly Daft Punk, the Rolling Stones or Billie Eilish are singing to you in the background. Actually cool, but from my point of view not music for the yoga mat.

I also find the overly enthusiastic motivation of the trainers somewhat out of place. Take Jonelle, for example: although she competently guides me through a relaxed workout, she cheers me on at the same time as if it were a tough HIIT workout. I prefer the calmer style of Youtubers Mady Morrison or Adriene Mishler.

Summary: Who is the yoga programme from Apple Fitness+ for?

Fitness+ offers you a wide selection of yoga flows that are professionally produced. New episodes are added all the time, so you'll always have new material at your fingertips. Physically, you can relax as well as challenge yourself. Trainers explain exercises in a comprehensible - if sometimes a little too enthusiastically. The background music is in the same vein. At best, it goes unnoticed; at worst, it is disturbing.

I wouldn't subscribe to Fitness+ just because of the yoga programme. But I have also tried a few other workouts. I really liked the dance and Pilates workouts - especially because the music playlist really fits there. So if you're in the Apple cosmos - preferably with an Apple Watch - and you're looking for a versatile, beginner-friendly workout app with a wide selection, the free trial month of Apple Fitness+ is worth considering.