Apple VP Behind Activity Rings Retiring After Misconduct Claims

[MacRumors]

Apple's vice president of fitness technologies Jay Blahnik will retire this summer, bringing to an end a 13-year stint with Apple that was marred by accusations that he created a toxic work environment and sexually harassed an employee.

In an email to employees this week, Apple said Blahnik, 57, will retire in July "to spend time with his family and make an exciting move to New York City," according to The New York Times.

Blahnik joined Apple in 2013 after two decades as a consultant at Nike. He played a central role in developing the Apple Watch's iconic Activity rings (the three colored circles that users close daily by exercising, standing, and burning calories) and later oversaw Fitness+, Apple's subscription workout service featuring video classes for strength work, HIIT, cycling, meditation, yoga, and more.

His leadership of the Fitness+ team however drew serious complaints. In an August 2025 report by the Times, nine current and former employees accused Blahnik of being "verbally abusive, manipulative and inappropriate." More than 10 of the roughly 100 employees on his team had sought extended mental health or medical leaves of absence since 2022, the report said.

Apple settled one complaint alleging sexual harassment by Blahnik and is currently defending him in a separate lawsuit brought by employee Mandana Mofidi, who accused him of bullying. That case is scheduled to go to trial next year.

When employees raised concerns about Blahnik's conduct, Apple initiated an internal investigation and found no evidence of wrongdoing, so Blahnik remained in his role. At the time, Apple spokesperson Lance Lin called the NYT report full of "many inaccurate claims and mischaracterizations," but didn't specify which claims the company disputed.

It's unclear who will succeed Blahnik at Fitness+. Meanwhile, the future of Fitness+ is itself said to be "under review," according to Bloomberg, with services chief Eddy Cue apparently "considering changes" to the service.

Apple Fitness+ launched in 2020. In the U.S., the service costs $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year. Apple Fitness+ is also available as part of the Apple One Premier bundle, with U.S. pricing set at $37.95 per month.

Article Link: Apple VP Behind Activity Rings Retiring After Misconduct Claims

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

Don't worry am not going to say the joke in my head about rings.

 

[Pezimak]

If there is any truth to the accusations, it's pretty disgusting that he is being allowed to 'retire' and the Apple board hasn't got the guts to fire him, instead he will be rewarded handsomely for his failures and mistreatment of staff (again if true).

 

[Elwe]

“bullying” in the workplace is not a defined crime (by federal or any US state title or code that I’m aware of).

 

[vertsix]

Good. Get out. He gives me bad vibes and his division hasn't been putting out great stuff anyway. Time for someone new.

 

[Elwe]

If there is any truth to the accusations, it's pretty disgusting that he is being allowed to 'retire' and the Apple board hasn't got the guts to fire him, instead he will be rewarded handsomely for his failures and mistreatment of staff (again if true).

“
Apple initiated an internal investigation and found no evidence of wrongdoing
“

 

[newtestleper]

Good to know useless management happens at the very top of Apple as well as at store level.

 

[jlc1978]

“bullying” in the workplace is not a defined crime (by federal or any US state title or code that I’m aware of).

IANAL, but I suspect the actions would run afoul of other laws, depending he circumstances.

 

[Genelec8341]

Headline: NYT conducts overdue internal investigation of wrongdoing and reports findings.

 

[iMac The Knife]

Creating a toxic work environment and sexually harassing an employee...this guy? Never! 🤣

 

[boswald]

Sadly, he looks like a guy I grew up with. A guy I used to adore. Now I won't be able to look at him the same way. Thanks, Apple! 😀

 

[nfl46]

Creating a toxic work environment and sexually harassing an employee...this guy? Never! 🤣

View attachment 2619164

Dude looks like an older version of Ken (Doll). Haha.

 

[tyranne201]

It’s sad Tim Cook supported that creep.

 

[tyranne201]

“bullying” in the workplace is not a defined crime (by federal or any US state title or code that I’m aware of).

Bullying is basically harassment

 

[CharlesShaw]

played a central role in developing the Apple Watch's iconic Activity rings

AW was a day one purchase for me, and I'm very active, but can never close the stand rings because I stand or use a tall stool at work. So even though I do lots of cycling, stair master, walking, and weight training, the "iconic Activity rings" are never completed, which is an annoyance. Almost as much of an annoyance as the frequent reminders to use the free 3month Fitness+ memberships I keep getting, which I don't need.

 

[tyranne201]

IANAL, but I suspect the actions would run afoul of other laws, depending he circumstances.

He commented about woman’s body. That’s creep enough. Look at that face.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

AW was a day one purchase for me, and I'm very active, but can never close the stand rings because I stand or use a tall stool at work. So even though I do lots of cycling, stair master, walking, and weight training, the "iconic Activity rings" are never completed, which is an annoyance. Almost as much of an annoyance as the frequent reminders to use the free 3month Fitness+ memberships I keep getting, which I don't need.

I don't have the Apple Watch anymore, but how could you not get the stand rings? If you walk or move around at all during the hour it counts it. I was almost always at 16-18 stand hours a day, unless I was sick.

I'm extremely active, but finally got tired of the rings altogether..and the constant charging.

 

[TheBeverage]

Let’s all remember these are only allegations, eh? No need to crucify the guy in the court of public opinion.

 

[CharlesShaw]

but how could you not get the stand rings? If you walk or move around at all during the hour it counts it.

It's crazy, right? If I look at the history, the only days I close the stand ring are on lazy weekends when I'm not working at the standing desk, but instead watching TV and standing up for snacks and restroom breaks.

 

[gknewell]

The dude looks like a nightmare to work with.

 

[Lunarman25]

He looks a bit dodgy 😬

 

[gknewell]

Let’s all remember these are only allegations, eh? No need to crucify the guy in the court of public opinion.

He wouldn’t be “retiring” if there weren’t credibility to the claims.

 

[jonblatho]

“bullying” in the workplace is not a defined crime (by federal or any US state title or code that I’m aware of).

It doesn't need to be a "defined crime" by name, but depending on the nature of the conduct, bullying in the workplace can easily cross a line into civil liability and (less commonly) even criminal liability.

IANAL, although most workplace HR trainings cover the above.

 

[Happy_John]

The "diplomatic" resolution to legal difficulties. Remove the source of the problem without an official "walk the plank", private "out of court" settlements for the aggrieved.

I doubt we'll be hearing any more about this.

 

[ItsASpider]

I don't have the Apple Watch anymore, but how could you not get the stand rings? If you walk or move around at all during the hour it counts it. I was almost always at 16-18 stand hours a day, unless I was sick.

I'm extremely active, but finally got tired of the rings altogether..and the constant charging.

Because the Apple Watch doesn't consider standing... well... standing. The ring doesn't get filled up simply because you're standing, you very specifically have to hold your hands down. So people who work at a standing desk for example won't complete their standing ring despite standing up regularly or even all day, unless they walk away from that desk every once in a while within the hour.

It's a great metric in theory, but the Apple Watch is simply very bad at actually measuring it.