Over the years, Apple Fitness has expanded their catalogue to include hundreds of activities. As someone who struggles with exercises outside of running the paradox of choice stops me in my tracks when it comes to yoga, core, or strength workouts. Normally, when I feel like it’s been a while I’ll go in and say I have 10 or 20 or 30 minutes and select one of the videos. It’s inconsistent, but it was better than nothing. Thankfully, Apple has attempted to solve this by giving users the ability to create a custom plan.
I’ve recently completed my second custom plan and overall I’ve been extremely happy with it.
Before I go into my overall thoughts, I want to walk through the process of creating your plan.
The process starts on the Fitness app. I typically use my iPhone when I do it. If you don’t have a custom plan configured, right at the top of the Fitness+ tab the app will prompt you to Build Your Plan.
The prompts are simple. Select the total time you’re available each day, which days, how long the plan will go, and then select the type of videos. Then you get a chance to review the the plan and commit to it.
My first attempt at the custom plan was only four weeks, three times a week, for 30 minutes a day. I selected Core, Strength, and Yoga. My second attempt was for eight weights, four times a week, for 45 minutes a day. I selected Core, Strength, Yoga, Mindful Cooldown, and Meditation.
I followed each of the programs perfectly. I made sure that this would be a priority for me. The one thing that I noticed is that with my selection criteria, the Core workout was prioritized above all else. Core workouts are not easy and I never selected them when I’d randomly pick exercises. Every exercise needs a strong core and because I hate doing core workouts I was probably leaving performance on the table. The first few weeks of the program were really hard to spend twenty minutes shredding my core. However, as I was moving through the 12 weeks I noticed the core workouts were easier. My running form elevated faster than I’d expect1. Planks and crunches were hard but they started to feel easy. Unbelievable. I don’t have a six-pack (because I like food too much), but even my wife has noticed a difference.
For me, doing the Core, Strength, and Yoga sessions help my running. If I wasn’t in the middle of a marathon training program I would also mix in HIIT and Dance workouts.
The one downside to the program is the achievements. You are given a Fitness achievement if you successfully complete all of the custom workouts. My eight-week program had 96 workouts. I dutifully completed all 96, but at one point a 5-minute cooldown wasn’t recorded that I finished. It was annoying that I couldn’t find a way to alleviate it. I’ll know that I was perfect, but the program still has some bugs.
