Apple Adds Postpartum Workouts to Fitness+

[MacRumors]

Apple today added a new range of postpartum workouts to Fitness+ to help mothers return to regular exercise after childbirth.

Almost a year after Apple introduced new Fitness+ workouts geared toward pregnant women, the company today launched a range of workouts for the postpartum period. The series, titled "Get Back to Fitness After Having a Baby," contains seven workouts in the Core, Strength, and Mindful Cooldown categories.

This program is designed for anyone who has recently had a baby, with workouts that can help you feel stronger and more energetic as you take on the daily demands of parenthood. The Core workouts are about reconnecting to your core, building up your ab and back strength, and working your pelvic floor. The series starts with a Core workout to help you create a foundation for getting stronger and avoiding setbacks. There are also upper-body, lower-body and total-body Strength workouts that use one light to medium dumbbell or just your bodyweight. And the Mindful Cooldowns include stretches that target common post-pregnancy tight spots, plus meditations that focus on themes like patience and self-care. Throughout, there are exercise options to help you feel more comfortable, no matter what type of delivery you had. You can do any of the workouts on their own or combined with other workouts in this program or the Fitness+ library. Check with your healthcare provider before starting an exercise.

CNET reports that some of the new workouts target the pelvic floor to help restrengthen muscles supporting organs in the pelvis that relax during childbirth. There are modifications for different levels of intensity depending on the preferred level of activity after childbirth, and the Mindful Cooldowns include messages about the importance of patience and self-care for new parents.

Priced at $9.99 per month, or available as part of the $29.95 per month Apple One Premier plan, Apple Fitness+ is a subscription-based workout video service, available in over 20 countries around the world. A one-month free trial is available for all Apple Watch users.

Article Link: Apple Adds Postpartum Workouts to Fitness+

 

[MrENGLISH]

I’d love to see them add fitness workouts geared towards obese people who may not know where to start, require modified workouts based on size, and are otherwise too embarrassed to go to a gym.

 

[Marbles1]

I’d love to see them add fitness workouts geared towards obese people who may not know where to start, require modified workouts based on size, and are otherwise too embarrassed to go to a gym.

Good idea. I think sometimes they cater a bit too much to a stereotype in their heads of a tech savvy, smoothie drinking wealthy Californian.

 

[Zachari]

"Congrats on baby, now lose that weight girl!"

I was going to send this to my cousin who literally just had a baby today... but then I checked myself.

 

[chucker23n1]

I’d love to see them add fitness workouts geared towards obese people who may not know where to start, require modified workouts based on size, and are otherwise too embarrassed to go to a gym.

"Time to Walk" is arguably that. Haven't tried it myself, but taking a walk is a fairly easy way to get started. (Personally, I recommend finding a good podcast and listening to that.)

 

[heystu]

I think this is a great call. When my wife had our twins a couple years ago she had to give up her regular Les Mills workouts in favour of niche workout streamers on YouTube. For Apple to look beyond the regular fitness bunnies will win some people over. Personally I've just demolished a whole pack of bacon and am gonna lie down for a nap.

 

[jeffpeng]

I’d love to see them add fitness workouts geared towards obese people who may not know where to start, require modified workouts based on size, and are otherwise too embarrassed to go to a gym.

That would sell like hot cakes. Alongside the actual hot cakes, of course.

"Congrats on baby, now lose that weight girl!"

I was going to send this to my cousin who literally just had a baby today... but then I checked myself.

Frankly, every recent mother I've ever known had exactly two agendas: "give me some sleep, dammit", and "I'd like my old body back, please". So, maybe not the type of thing you gift someone, but there is certainly a market for it. Maybe a sufficiently funded Apple Gift Card will do the trick without being to much on the nose about it. Edit: plus actually being able to spend some money on something that isn't diapers or formula or new baby clothes or the 10 million things you thought you had thought of but didn't .... is actually a very nice thing. Man, thinking back ... so glad junior is halfway to drinking age by now.

 

[GenesisST]

I’d love to see them add fitness workouts geared towards obese people who may not know where to start, require modified workouts based on size, and are otherwise too embarrassed to go to a gym.

I dunno, I was 80lbs heavier last year. My Apple Watch helped me tremendously.

When using the Fitness+ trials for cycling and treadmill, they mention very often to "do you" and adjust for what you feel comfortable.

 

[orbital~debris]

some of the new workouts target the pelvic floor to help restrengthen muscles supporting organs in the pelvis that relax during childbirth.

This phrasing has the whiff of a writer who’s stuck in a sexist past (“lady parts”, “women’s bits” etc.)…

There’s no harm in mentioning correct names (as would be done when talking about the male body). Being vague like this just comes across as similar to people who avoid saying the word ‘menstruation’ or thinking mentioning periods is a taboo 🙄.

 

[nattK]

I’d love to see them add fitness workouts geared towards obese people who may not know where to start, require modified workouts based on size, and are otherwise too embarrassed to go to a gym.

Tell me you haven't used Apple Fitness+ without telling me you haven't used Apple Fitness+.

They literally have a collection of workouts called "Workout for beginners" and there is one modifier in every Fitness+ video for people who need them. And "too embarrassed to go to a gym"??? Depending on the equipment you have, most if not all exercises can be done in the comfort of your own home or backyard.

 

[autrefois]

I don’t often comment to praise Apple, but I think this is a great addition to Apple+ Fitness.

Sure I’m sure it’s going to be a selling point and good PR, but after childbirth a lot of people don’t know how to get back on track with exercising for health.

I don’t think this is a “you gave birth now lose weight honey” thing like someone joked — it fills a real need.

 

[Arnold Ziffel]

What about porker-specific postpartum exercises?

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

My wife would have been all over this.

 

[jlc1978]

... so glad junior is halfway to drinking age by now.

At which point you're glad to be of drinking age...

The good thing about Apple doing this is they probably will ensure the exercises are appropriate for the physical condition of a new mother; whether it was a natural or C section birth.

 

[Octavius8]

I would love trainings of different intensities and low-impact HIIT done by the main instructor, the “modifiers” are a bit silly actually. In my gym they had colors for different intensities of classes.

And off course, less fake smiles in all instructors ALL the time!.

 

[QuarterSwede]

Tell me you haven't used Apple Fitness+ without telling me you haven't used Apple Fitness+.

They literally have a collection of workouts called "Workout for beginners" and there is one modifier in every Fitness+ video for people who need them. And "too embarrassed to go to a gym"??? Depending on the equipment you have, most if not all exercises can be done in the comfort of your own home or backyard.

While that is true, it would help to have an example of someone more their size. This is partly why The Biggest Loser was so popular. Seeing someone who has trouble moving exercise and the limits they have, which aren’t the same for someone less heavy, is helpful and motivating to those who don’t fit the body type of the instructors.

 

[ELman]

Perfect timing. 4 of the instructors are out on maturity leave.

 

[Mmrevans]

I dunno, I was 80lbs heavier last year. My Apple Watch helped me tremendously.

When using the Fitness+ trials for cycling and treadmill, they mention very often to "do you" and adjust for what you feel comfortable.

Congratulations! It is great when people set a goal and can follow through. I think that the "beginner workouts", identified like that, might help some people see their path into fitness. That first step, or opening the first door, is a scary prospect for some.

 

[chucker23n1]

This phrasing has the whiff of a writer who’s stuck in a sexist past (“lady parts”, “women’s bits” etc.)…

There’s no harm in mentioning correct names (as would be done when talking about the male body). Being vague like this just comes across as similar to people who avoid saying the word ‘menstruation’ or thinking mentioning periods is a taboo ?.

No, the author literally means the pelvic floor. They are not referring to the vagina.

Tell me you haven't used Apple Fitness+ without telling me you haven't used Apple Fitness+.

They literally have a collection of workouts called "Workout for beginners" and there is one modifier in every Fitness+ video for people who need them. And "too embarrassed to go to a gym"??? Depending on the equipment you have, most if not all exercises can be done in the comfort of your own home or backyard.

It's possible to say "actually, it's quite good even for beginners, and it's mostly designed for home use" without being condescending about it.

 

[Killbill2]

I'd like to see Apple recognize that exercise isn't just a categorized "workout" but also daily activity associated with the workplace, from heavy lifting through to standing at a checkout, it would be nice if Apple recognized that working people may in fact get a considerable amount of activity that is as important to consider as any workout… There is "Functional Strength Training" but that doesn't really have the descriptive requirements like "Warehouse Picking" might have for an 12 hour Amazon worker.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

Remember how Apple used to justify the Apple Tax with great software like iLife?

All of their “services” seem like great ways to justify the Apple Tax. They could include ~4 years with the purchase of an Apple device.

Enough that it really feels like it was included with the product and not just a trial meant to get you hooked. And so when it runs out, what do you do? You don’t renew the service - you go and buy a new device because it’s old now.

As is, Apple is working on making a reputation that they’re a company that has fantastically overpriced products and they nickel and dime you. Somehow they’ve managed to combine the awful aspects of BMW’s reputation with the awful reputation of a company like Comcast.

 

[Runs For Fun]

I’d love to see them add fitness workouts geared towards obese people who may not know where to start, require modified workouts based on size, and are otherwise too embarrassed to go to a gym.

I feel like that's already who Fitness+ is heavily geared towards. As someone at an advanced fitness level I would like to see more intense/advanced/longer HIIT workouts. I tried Fitness+ and I found all of the workouts to be too easy.

 

[contacos]

I was like „postmortem“ workout? That would be a little late.

 

[Madmic23]

Ever since Betina (the trainer) got pregnant, it made me wonder: was this just a happy coincidence? Did she get pregnant and then pitch the idea of maternity workouts? Or did Apple sit down with all of the female trainers and say “so we need one of you to get pregnant so we can setup a special maternity workout section”.

I really hope it was the first one.

 

[Pecka]

Wonder when Fitness+ will come to Sweden.