Review: Activity Awards Bring Your Apple Watch Fitness Achievements to Life

[MacRumors]

Activity Awards is a new site that offers physical representations of the digital fitness awards that Apple provides when Apple Watch owners meet their goals.

Available in the form of magnets, the Activity Awards are designed to look like the in-app awards that can be earned through the Fitness app. Each magnet is modeled after a different award, with the Activity Awards site offering all kinds of options.

There are awards for meeting goals like 7 day move, exercise, and stand requirements, along with awards for special activity challenges such as the badge that Apple gave out in August for hiking, running, walking, or doing a wheelchair workout of a mile or more.

The magnets are priced from $10.99 to $13.99, and some of them are available in full color or a "black out" mode that's entirely in black and silver.

The magnets are made in the style of enamel pins and are bright, colorful, and well made. They feel like high-quality magnets, and have a built-in magnetic backing to attach them to refrigerators or other magnetic surfaces.

The Activity Awards have a good weight to them, and the magnetic strength is in line with what I would expect from a premium magnet (I stuck two of them together and it was near impossible to pry them apart).

I did notice some slightly sharp edges on a couple of the awards so I might not let kids play with them, but it doesn't matter too much on a magnetic surface. Some of the magnetic backs also seem to be cracked in half, and I'm not sure what that means for longevity. I also broke two of the magnetic backs in half by stacking them on top of one another to bring them from one room to another, so if you buy these, make sure not to do that.

All of the designs are close to spot on, and there's no mistaking the Activity Awards for the Apple Watch awards that are displayed in the Awards section of the Fitness app. You can't get all of the awards that Apple offers in magnet form yet, but I imagine Activity Awards is working on other options to include in the future.

Activity Awards is not affiliated with Apple and I don't know what Apple thinks about Apple Watch fitness-inspired awards being made available in a format that's making money for someone other than Apple, but the site's founder told me that the Activity Awards are not a 1:1 match to the Apple awards with font and Pantone colors changed for production, plus the design is flat.

The company does want to make it clear that the pins are not coming from Apple and are designed as supplementary and complementary to the Apple Watch.

Bottom Line

Every week, I read stories on the internet from people who have been motivated to get fit thanks to the Apple Watch, and working out and keeping up with a routine can be a lot of work. Having a physical representation of a workout achievement that's visible every day could be inspirational and a reminder of what's been accomplished.

I think the Activity Awards have the potential to be a nice gift for someone who has put a lot of effort into working out with the Apple Watch, or even a self gift for those who want to be reminded of what they can achieve.

Some of the designs, such as the Yoga Award and the Parks Award are also just objectively nice looking and have a nice, neutral design that Apple Watch owners might like to have on the fridge. Activity Awards does have some quality control issues to deal with, so keep that in mind if you plan to buy these. Treat the magnetic backings carefully, because they can break.

How to Buy

Activity Awards can be purchased from the Activity Awards website with prices ranging from $10.99 to $13.99. Sets are also available.

Note: Activity Awards provided MacRumors with Activity Award magnets for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.

Article Link: Review: Activity Awards Bring Your Apple Watch Fitness Achievements to Life

 

[SirAnthonyHopkins]

just awful.

 

[DocMultimedia]

And how long until Apple shuts them down? A week?

 

[HeavenDynamic]

Nice concept but hella expensive.

 

[Canyda]

Pin one to my Star Trek tunic and see if anyone notices.

(Note: I don't actually own a Star Trek tunic. Not that there's anything wrong with that.)

 

[icanhazmac]

LOL, merit badges for the gym!

 

[vicviper789]

It would be cool if they had one for things I am good at like eating tacos and laying in bed for days at a time

 

[williamyx]

Hey, this is really cool– especially if you've hit a major milestone like 1k days closing all rings or something

 

[Hodar1]

Is anyone motivated at all by these badges? I could see grade school kids possibly competing for vitual badges - but seriously, throwing "gold stars" at an adult is kind of insulting and degrading. If and/or when I work out - it's for my personal gain. I couldn't manage to care less about what somebody at Apple thinks about my workout regime, if I tried. I am honestly more concerned about the welfare of the squirrel that lives trees behind the house, than I am about the badges - and those squirrels steal my apricots every summer.

 

[jimbobb24]

These are awesome. Not clear on the negativity. I love getting these digitally and having one or two in real life would be very cool. The little knickknacks of life and memories. Very fun.

 

[routine_analyst]

The world is full of such odd people.
These pins plus the plush Macintosh = 🤢

 

[Canyda]

Is anyone motivated at all by these badges? I could see grade school kids possibly competing for vitual badges - but seriously, throwing "gold stars" at an adult is kind of insulting and degrading.

Umm... yes. Me for instance (and I'm 52). Several of my friends. People are all motivated in different ways, and mine is definitely tangential "gifts" or "awards", even if it's just a virtual badge in an app.

 

[jarman92]

Is anyone motivated at all by these badges? I could see grade school kids possibly competing for vitual badges - but seriously, throwing "gold stars" at an adult is kind of insulting and degrading. If and/or when I work out - it's for my personal gain. I couldn't manage to care less about what somebody at Apple thinks about my workout regime, if I tried. I am honestly more concerned about the welfare of the squirrel that lives trees behind the house, than I am about the badges - and those squirrels steal my apricots every summer.

Lol it has nothing to do with what "somebody at Apple thinks," the awards are based on your personal goals and workouts. And yes, literally millions of people are motivated by things like this, whether it's on Watch or Peloton or any number of fitness apps/programs. It's totally fine, it works for them, and nobody needs your sneering condescension about their motivations.

 

[QuiteSure]

Just bought 3 for my wife. I think they're very cool.

 

[dvanwinkle]

While this is cool, I'm holding my breath until Apple shuts this down. I think I'll be okay.

 

[iSayuSay]

Is anyone motivated at all by these badges? I could see grade school kids possibly competing for vitual badges - but seriously, throwing "gold stars" at an adult is kind of insulting and degrading. If and/or when I work out - it's for my personal gain. I couldn't manage to care less about what somebody at Apple thinks about my workout regime, if I tried. I am honestly more concerned about the welfare of the squirrel that lives trees behind the house, than I am about the badges - and those squirrels steal my apricots every summer.

If not for Apple Watch (and COVID quarantine), my weight would still be at 230lbs. Bought a Series 5 and now I'm down to 164lbs, I'm doing 5K run at least, daily. And I also have some toned muscle. I'd like to be reminded how lazy and obese I was if not for the Watch. So these physical pins are a sweet reminder that I was a fat guy once, but no more thanks to Apple Watch.

I'd buy the whole sets since I gain almost all of them in my Fitness app.

 

[JimmyBanks6]

If not for Apple Watch, my weight would still be at 230lbs. Bought a Series 5 and now I'm down to 164lbs, I'm doing 5K run at least, daily. And I also have some toned muscle. I'd like to be reminded how lazy and obese I was if not for the Watch. So these physical pins are a sweet reminder that I was a fat guy once, but no more thanks to Apple Watch.

I'd buy the whole sets since I gain almost all of them in my Fitness app.

Well done iSayuSay, that is an impressive achievement!

 

[myrtlebee]

How is this not a copyright infringement? As an artist who goes by the rules, it pisses me off to see how many people and small businesses get away with it for so long and make tons of money while I rely on original content.

 

[cjboffoli97]

How is this not a copyright infringement? As an artist who goes by the rules, it pisses me off to see how many people and small businesses get away with it for so long and make tons of money while I rely on original content.

I think it IS copyright infringement. Some designers had to work to create those designs. And someone else is taking them, altering them slightly (size, color, font) and is making a product that they're selling for profit? Despicable.

 

[iSayuSay]

Well done iSayuSay, that is an impressive achievement!

Well thank you, good sir. Looking back my old photos I never felt more embarrassed. My Apple Watch literally saved my life. At first closing my rings felt like a silly game. Now it's a habit that I cannot break off from.

 

[James Godfrey]

Already I am thinking what a pile of shyte, but I am also questioning if they come with a power brick?

 

[Franklin Klein]

Is anyone motivated at all by these badges? I could see grade school kids possibly competing for vitual badges - but seriously, throwing "gold stars" at an adult is kind of insulting and degrading. If and/or when I work out - it's for my personal gain. I couldn't manage to care less about what somebody at Apple thinks about my workout regime, if I tried. I am honestly more concerned about the welfare of the squirrel that lives trees behind the house, than I am about the badges - and those squirrels steal my apricots every summer.

Agreed...they are fun little “okay thank” notifications but it’s pathetic if people regard them so highly that they’d want a physical version to display (especially given that many are easy to manipulate).

Your “award” is not feeling as winded going up stairs, or the way your jeans feel now, or better lab results at the doctor.

 

[centauratlas]

And how long until Apple shuts them down? A week?

Time to load up because they'll be collectors items shortly.

Unless Apple buys them or grants them a license.

 

[btrach144]

Apple needs to do more with the rewards system. This is a great idea that someone had to make it into a physical representation. They even have a subscription model setup for the 2021 awards. Very clever business person behind this.

Going to pick up a few for my proudest accomplishments.

 

[rgbrock1]

If not for Apple Watch (and COVID quarantine), my weight would still be at 230lbs. Bought a Series 5 and now I'm down to 164lbs, I'm doing 5K run at least, daily. And I also have some toned muscle. I'd like to be reminded how lazy and obese I was if not for the Watch. So these physical pins are a sweet reminder that I was a fat guy once, but no more thanks to Apple Watch.

I'd buy the whole sets since I gain almost all of them in my Fitness app.

Congratulations and good for you!