Apple Fitness+ is a workout streaming service that costs $11.99 per month or $119.99 per year, and requires an Apple Watch to use

Apple Fitness+ delivers guided workouts through your iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV, but you need an Apple Watch to track your heart rate and calories during exercise. The service includes classes in cycling, running, strength training, yoga, dance, rowing, HIIT, core work, and cooldown sessions. New workouts are added several times per week, and you can filter by trainer, duration, music, or difficulty level.

The monthly subscription renews automatically unless you cancel it. If you buy an Apple Watch, iPad, iPhone, or Mac, you get three months free; after that, you pay the standard rate. The service works on any Apple Watch model from Series 3 onward, so you don't need the newest version.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple Fitness+ requires both an Apple Watch and an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV to work — you cannot use it without the watch.
  • The monthly cost is $11.99, or you can pay $119.99 once per year and save about $24 compared to monthly billing.
  • New workouts are added multiple times each week across ten different exercise types, so the library grows constantly.
  • If you purchase an Apple device, you receive three months of service at no cost before the subscription begins charging.
  • You can share your subscription with up to five family members through Family Sharing, so the per-person cost drops if others in your household use it.

What workouts and trainers you actually get

The service includes ten workout categories: Cycling, Running, Strength, Yoga, Dance, Rowing, HIIT, Core, Pilates, and Cooldown. Classes range from 5 minutes to 45 minutes, and most are 20 to 30 minutes long. Each workout is led by a trainer on screen, and the Apple Watch displays your real-time heart rate, calories burned, and progress toward your daily activity ring.

New workouts drop several times per week — typically Monday through Friday — so there is always fresh content. You can search by trainer name, music genre, or difficulty level. The library includes beginner-friendly sessions and advanced classes, so the service works whether you are starting from zero or already exercise regularly.

The trainers are Apple employees, not celebrity fitness influencers. They cue you through movements, offer modifications for different fitness levels, and play curated music during the session. You can repeat any workout as many times as you want.

How much it costs and what payment options exist

Apple Fitness+ costs $11.99 per month if you pay monthly, or $119.99 per year if you pay annually. The annual plan saves you about $24 compared to twelve monthly payments. Both options renew automatically, and you can cancel anytime through your Apple ID settings.

If you purchase an Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you receive three months of Fitness+ at no cost. After the three-month trial ends, your subscription converts to a paid plan at the standard rate unless you cancel it beforehand.

You can share your subscription with up to five family members through Apple's Family Sharing feature. Each person gets their own workout history and activity tracking, but they all use the same subscription. This means if four people in your household use it, the cost per person is roughly $3 per month on the annual plan.

What devices you need to use it

An Apple Watch is required — the service will not work without one. You also need an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV to view the workouts. The Apple Watch displays your metrics during exercise, and the larger screen shows the trainer and workout instructions.

The Apple Watch can be any model from Series 3 onward, including the SE and Ultra models. You do not need the newest generation. The watch must have watchOS 7.2 or later installed, and your iPhone must run iOS 14.3 or later.

If you have an older Apple Watch (Series 1 or 2), Fitness+ will not work on it. You would need to upgrade to a newer model to use the service.

How Fitness+ compares to other workout subscriptions

Peloton Digital costs $14.99 per month and works on any smartphone, tablet, or computer — you do not need special hardware. Beachbody On Demand costs $14.99 per month and includes hundreds of programs beyond just daily workouts. YouTube has free workout channels with no subscription required, though they lack the personalized tracking that comes with a smartwatch.

The main advantage of Fitness+ is the integration with Apple Watch. Your heart rate and calorie burn feed directly into your activity rings, and the watch vibrates to alert you during key moments in the workout. If you already own an Apple Watch, Fitness+ is cheaper than Peloton and includes more variety than most free options.

The main disadvantage is the hardware requirement. If you do not own an Apple Watch, buying one to use Fitness+ costs $250 to $800 depending on the model, which makes the subscription a much larger investment upfront.

How to start and cancel your subscription

To start a subscription, open the Fitness app on your iPhone or iPad, tap the Fitness+ tab, and select a workout. If you do not have an active subscription, you will be prompted to start a free trial or begin a paid plan. You can also start through the Apple Watch app on your iPhone by going to Fitness+ and tapping "Try Free" or "Subscribe."

If you received a free trial with a new Apple device, the trial begins automatically when you set up the device. You can check how many days remain in your trial through Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions > Fitness+.

To cancel, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions > Fitness+ and tap "Cancel Subscription." Your access continues through the end of your current billing period. If you cancel during a free trial, your access ends immediately.

What happens to your workout history if you cancel

Your workout history and personal records remain stored in your Apple Health app even after your Fitness+ subscription ends. You can view past workouts, calories burned, and activity data anytime. However, you cannot start new Fitness+ workouts or access the class library once your subscription is no longer active.

If you resubscribe later, your history is still there. The service does not delete your data when you cancel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Fitness+ without an Apple Watch?

No. The Apple Watch is required to use Fitness+. You can view the workouts on an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV, but the watch is necessary to track your heart rate and calories. Without it, the service will not let you start a workout.

Does Fitness+ work with non-Apple devices?

No. You need an Apple Watch and an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV. The service is exclusive to Apple's ecosystem and does not work on Android phones, Wear OS watches, or other devices.

Can multiple people use one Fitness+ subscription?

Yes, through Family Sharing. Up to six people can share one subscription, and each person gets their own workout history and activity tracking. Each person needs their own Apple Watch and Apple device to use it.

What if I buy an Apple Watch — do I get Fitness+ free?

You receive three months of Fitness+ at no cost when you purchase an Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, or Mac. After three months, the subscription converts to a paid plan unless you cancel it before the trial ends.

Can I pause my subscription instead of canceling?

Apple does not offer a pause feature for Fitness+. You can cancel anytime and resubscribe later without losing your workout history. Your data stays in Apple Health even when your subscription is inactive.