Photo Credit: Solen Feyissa
Apple Fitness+ is launching a new ‘Time to Walk’ audio stories feature for subscribers, where guests tell inspiring stories.
The new feature is described as “an audio experience in the Workout app where guests share inspiring stories as you walk.” The concept isn’t new; it’s something some health and fitness apps have been doing for a while now. For example, Zombies, Run! is an app that tells a post-apocalyptic story while you exercise – encouraging you to run from imaginary zombies.
But this is the first time a major player like Apple has gotten on board with spoken word fitness audio.
Apple Fitness+ subscribers will be able to open the Workout app on their Apple Watch. A new Time to Walk icon will appear and, when tapped, reveals several audio stories. There are only a few audio stories available right now, but you can bet Apple will begin expanding that catalogue.
While the feature isn’t available right now, it appears Apple is getting several singers on board. A screenshot from a reverse app engineer on Twitter reveals some of the Apple Fitness+ audio stories available at launch. A 30-minute story from Shawn Mendes appears, along with stories from Dolly Parton, NBA star Draymond Green, and actress Uzo Aduba.
Apple Fitness+ audio stories will be launching soon, though there’s no exact release date.
Settings for the ‘Time to Walk’ feature have started showing up in beta builds of WatchOS. The stories themselves are not yet accessible, though they may launch as soon as next week after updates. An additional setting on the watch will download new Time to Walk stories as they appear on the service.
Apple Fitness+ launched last month as part of Apple’s new bundled subscription plan. It provides users with access to a library of workout videos encompassing a wide variety of core strengths. Yoga, dancing, running, walking, cycling, rowing, and other exercises are represented.
The one downside to these videos is that they need a screen to complete. Time to Walk utilizes Apple Watch metrics to give users a workout that can be completed without watching a screen. Apple Fitness+ is currently available in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and the UK. The service is priced at $9.99/month or $79.99/year here in the United States.
Apple is hoping to dominate the fitness sector, and spoken-word audio may help it achieve that. Expect to see more celeb partners announcing their ‘Time to Walk’ stories in the coming months.