Strava subscribers will get three free months of Fitness Plus, while Strava athletes will appear in Fitness Plus programming.
Apple Fitness Plus and Strava are taking their collaboration to the next level with a groundbreaking integration designed to enhance the way users engage with their workouts. This partnership is set to transform Fitness Plus’ presence in the Strava app, offering more detailed workout insights, featuring Strava athletes in Fitness Plus content, and introducing an exclusive free three-month trial for Strava subscribers. Here’s everything you need to know about this exciting update.
Revamped Workout Summaries
Starting today, Fitness Plus workouts in the Strava app will feature enhanced summaries, including a thumbnail of the workout, episode details, music genre, trainer information, key metrics, and achievements. This level of detail represents a major upgrade, aligning Fitness Plus with other premium Strava integrations such as Peloton and Ladder.
Previously, Apple Watch users could import workouts into Strava, but the experience left much to be desired. Summaries were limited to basic stats like activity type, calories burned, and heart rate metrics, with no context about the class or instructor. Now, users can easily identify their Fitness Plus classes and enjoy a more comprehensive view of their workout history.
Integration Goes Both Ways
The collaboration doesn’t stop at better summaries. Strava subscribers in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia—both new and existing—can now enjoy a free three-month trial of Apple Fitness Plus. Unlike previous trials, this offer is open to users regardless of whether they own an Apple Watch. All that’s required is an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV to access the service.
Additionally, popular Strava athletes will now appear as guest trainers in Fitness Plus workouts. The lineup kicks off with runner Hellah Sidibe leading a strength workout on January 13th, followed by a treadmill session with Kayla Jeter. This marks the first time Fitness Plus has featured guest hosts from a third-party fitness community, further emphasizing the depth of this partnership.
Building Bridges Between Communities
This integration signals a shift in Apple’s approach to Fitness Plus. Historically, free trials were limited to customers purchasing new Apple devices. While Fitness Plus has showcased notable athletes like two-time Olympic gold medalist Ted Ligety, partnering with Strava introduces a new level of collaboration. Strava’s athlete-focused community is a natural fit, offering a chance to engage seasoned fitness enthusiasts who may not have initially considered Fitness Plus.
“Over the past 10 years, we’ve hugely admired what Strava has done to impact the fitness space, especially around community,” says Jay Blahnik, Apple’s vice president of fitness technologies. This collaboration reflects Apple’s recognition of Strava’s influence and opens new opportunities to expand Fitness Plus’ reach.
More Than Just Motivation
Fitness Plus initially aimed to be a welcoming, inclusive platform for users of all fitness levels. But with this integration, the service is also positioning itself as a valuable resource for experienced athletes. According to Blahnik, “Strava users don’t need us for motivation. They’re already self-motivated.” Instead, Fitness Plus can serve as a supplemental tool for cross-training and exploring new workout types, such as yoga or strength training to complement their primary activities.
Zipporah Allen, Strava’s chief business officer, echoes this sentiment: “Maybe they’re taking up running for the first time, and they want to make sure that they don’t get injured, so they turn to yoga and strength training.” This collaboration encourages athletes to diversify their routines while remaining engaged with both platforms.
What’s Next?
Both Apple and Strava hint that this is just the beginning. While details remain under wraps, Blahnik teases “bold ambitions” for the future of the partnership. Imagine tapping on a Fitness Plus class a Strava friend completed and instantly accessing that workout on your device. Though not yet available, ideas like these highlight the potential for deeper integration.
For now, the partnership offers clear benefits to both companies. Strava, which recently faced backlash over changes to its API for third-party apps, can regain goodwill among its user base with the Fitness Plus trial. Meanwhile, Fitness Plus gains access to a highly dedicated community of athletes who are unlikely to abandon their fitness goals after January.
Why It Matters
Strava has long been the go-to platform for fitness enthusiasts to track and share their progress, while Fitness Plus has positioned itself as a versatile, accessible service for all users. By joining forces, the two companies bridge the gap between casual fitness fans and seasoned athletes, offering new ways to stay motivated, connected, and inspired.
Whether you’re a Strava subscriber looking to mix up your routine or a Fitness Plus user eager to connect with a broader community, this partnership promises to deliver fresh opportunities to achieve your fitness goals. Stay tuned—this is just the start of what could become a game-changing collaboration in the fitness world.
