Apple has gone all out with the arrival of Apple Fitness+ in Japan and the massive expansion of the service to dozens of new countries. What began as an accessory for the Apple Watch has become a very complete training and wellness platform, which is now breaking down its two major barriers: the international availability and the language. If you're interested in new features, prices, compatible devices, and everything that changes with new dubbing and functions, you'll find it all neatly organized here. More details about this massive expansion of the serviceApple Fitness Plus in Japan: pricing, languages, and compatibility.
In recent months, the company has confirmed the biggest expansion of Fitness+ since its launch, incorporating Audio dubbed in Spanish, German and JapaneseIt has added new musical genres (such as K-Pop), strengthened its personalized programs, and also detailed how the service fits into the Japanese market with local agreements and very attractive promotions. Let's calmly review everything you need to know to get the most out of it. The technical details of Spanish dubbed audio This has been explained in several official notes.
Apple Fitness+ expands to new countries and arrives in Japan
Apple has announced a historic expansion of Apple Fitness+ to 28 additional marketsThese territories are added to the list of those where it was already available. With this move, the service is now accessible in 49 countries and regions around the worldThis reinforces Apple's commitment to digital fitness and wellness at home (or wherever you want to work out). Full coverage of the 28 additional markets It is included in the official announcement.
Among the new countries receiving Apple Fitness+ are: Chile, Hong Kong, India, the Netherlands, Singapore, and Taiwan...among many others, with a release date set for December 15th. This group will be joined by... Japan at the beginning of next yearThis completes one of Apple's most ambitious international rollouts of a subscription service. Previous coverage of the launch date and timeline can be found in the article about the launch scheduled for December 15.
Prior to this expansion, Fitness+ was already available in Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and United StatesCountries such as Argentina, Belgium, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, India, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Singapore, Sweden, Taiwan, Venezuela and Vietnam, among others, with a launch also planned for December 15.
Apple itself has emphasized that this is the Fitness+'s biggest expansion since its launch five years agoThis is a clear sign that the service is not only still alive, but that the company sees it as a key component of its health and sports ecosystem. For those who doubted its future, this global rollout sends a powerful message.
Apple Fitness+ arrives in Japan: language, content, and local agreements
Apple has confirmed that Apple Fitness+ is now available in Japanwith very careful adaptation to the local market. The service can be used in iPhone, iPad and Apple TV, and includes training and meditation with Japanese subtitles and digitally translated Japanese audioso that users can follow the sessions in their own language without relying on constant subtitles. The company has already explained its plans regarding whether add more languages in the future.
Audio translation combines digitally generated voices with real voices of the 28 Fitness+ trainersMaintaining the tone, energy, and personality of each character, but speaking Japanese. New episodes with subtitles and translated audio are released every week, so the Japanese catalog will continue to grow. You can learn more about these characters. 28 Fitness+ trainers.
To better connect with the local audience, Apple has prepared a special edition of the series Artist Spotlight Focused on YOASOBIOne of Japan's most popular musical duos, the platform offers a workout format. Users can train with Pilates, dance, yoga, and other disciplines while listening to some of the group's greatest hits, with playlists specifically designed to motivate them during exercise. Artist Spotlight It marked the beginning of these themed series.
The content of Time to Walk Featuring episodes with well-known figures in Japan. The episode with the comedian and actress is now available. Naomi WatanabeAnd another one will arrive with the actor and musician Tomohisa Yamashita, star of the Apple TV series “Drops of God.” In these episodes, users can go for a walk while listening to personal stories, reflections, and music selected by the guests themselves. The format time to walk It is designed to encourage regular walking.
Beyond the content, Apple has closed highly relevant agreements with local actorsThe partners of Anytime FitnessOne of the world's largest gym chains, will have access to Fitness+ included with its membership in Japan. New customers who sign up for a free trial will also receive up to two months of free Fitness+.
In addition, mobile subscribers of au and UQ (well-known operators in Japan), as well as those who enjoy Benefit Station Through their company, they will be able to use Apple Fitness+ for free until three monthsThese are offers designed to accelerate adoption, so that many people can thoroughly test the service before deciding whether to stay.
What is Apple Fitness+ and how does the service work?
Apple Fitness+ is a fitness and wellness subscription service It combines video workouts and guided meditation sessions with real-time metrics collected by devices like the Apple Watch or AirPods Pro 3. The idea is to offer a gym and yoga studio experience in your living room, in the park, or in a hotel when you travel.
The catalog currently includes 12 different types of trainingThese include: Strength Training, Yoga, HIIT, Pilates, Dance, Cycling, Rowing, Treadmill Running, Kickboxing, and specific Meditation sessions. The durations are very flexible, with Videos ranging from 5 to 45 minutes, and all content is produced in 4K UHD with a diverse team of coaches.
One of the keys to the service is its integration with the Apple Watch and AirPods Pro 3When you train, you can see metrics like the following on screen: heart rate, active calories, Activity rings, and the Performance Bar (This last one, in disciplines like HIIT, cycling, treadmill running, kickboxing, or rowing). That bar shows you how you're doing compared to other people who have done the same workout, adding a healthy competitive element that's quite addictive.
The service also includes smart features such as Custom Planswhich create automated training and meditation programs based on your preferences: activities you usually choose, favorite durations, preferred trainers, music that motivates you, and other parameters. Within these plans, there are several tools designed for different situations:
- Stay ConsistentIt generates a fixed and easy-to-follow plan, perfect for maintaining a stable exercise routine.
- Push Further (Effort a little more): Increase the intensity and number of sessions for those seeking a greater challenge or who want to progress faster.
- Get Started: ideal for new users, it creates programs based on the activities the user selects when subscribing or popular workouts for beginners.
Within the more “experiential” part, Fitness+ incorporates formats such as Artist Spotlightwhere all the training is done with a playlist focused on a single artist. Names like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, BTS, Selena Gomez or Coldplay, and in Japan, the aforementioned YOASOBI is added.
Another carefully curated experience is Time to Walk, an audio format designed to motivate people to go for walks more often. In these episodes, well-known figures—such as Cynthia Erivo, Daddy Yankee, Naomi Campbell, Camila Cabello, Simu Liu, Shawn Mendes, Jane Fonda or the Formula 1 driver Yuki Tsunoda— They share personal stories, photos, meaningful songs, and reflections as you walk.
In addition to individual training sessions, there are the CollectionsThese are series of training and meditation sessions grouped by specific goals. For example, there are collections for Run your first 5K, work on Pilates beyond your core, train barefoot with shoeless routines, or try out 90s dance sessionsIt's a very practical way to organize content so you don't have to think too much about what to do each day. If you need help with look for workouts and meditationThere are specific guides for locating content.
In the area of mental well-being, Fitness+ offers 12 different meditation topics, such as Tranquility Meditations, Sleep Meditations, or Sound Meditations. Each one uses simple and easy-to-follow techniques to regain energy, strengthen the connection with yourself and others, and increase mindfulness at specific times of the day.
Spanish, German and Japanese dubbing with digitally generated voice
One of the big changes in this new phase of Fitness+ is the arrival of Digital dubbing in Spanish, German and JapaneseUntil now, most content was only available in English, with subtitles in several languages. For many users, this was a drawback: having to read subtitles while trying not to lose your balance in a yoga pose is, frankly, quite uncomfortable.
Apple has opted for a very particular approach: instead of hiring traditional voice actors, it has developed a system of AI-generated voice which replicates the original voices of the Fitness+ trainers, but speaking other languages. In this way, The coach's personality and tone are maintainedOnly now you can listen to it in Spanish, German, or Japanese.
Dubbing in Spanish and German will be available from December 15, Whereas the Japanese will arrive alongside the service's launch in Japan.at the beginning of next year. New episodes dubbed in these three languages are released every week, in addition to the original English versions.
The system is very convenient: from the audio control Within the workout itself, you can select your preferred audio language (English, Spanish, German, or Japanese, depending on the episode). And if you have the Fitness app set to one of those languages, the Dubbed episodes play automatically in that language, without you having to touch anything.
Today, Fitness+ also offers subtitles in various languages, including Brazilian Portuguese, English, French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish, and combines these subtitles with the new dubbed audio to make the sessions as accessible as possible.
Music, K-Pop, J-Pop and playlists designed for training
Music is an absolute pillar of the experience in Apple Fitness +The trainers design each workout taking into careful consideration the type of songs, the tempos, and the changes in rhythm, so that the music sets the beat of the exercises and keep motivation high even when the body starts to protest.
Apple has added a new star genre to the service: the K popThis musical style will be available for all types of workouts: HIIT, strength, cardio, dance, etc. K-Pop joins other genres already present such as Pure energy, current hits, Hip-Hop/R&B, Latin rhythms and other lists created to give you that extra push right when you need it most.
In Japan, moreover, the J-Pop and local artists like YOASOBIwhich are part of the featured playlists. Each playlist can be saved directly to Apple MusicSo, if you loved a combination of songs during a workout, you can listen to it afterwards independently, without having to be inside the Fitness app.
Apple Fitness+ compatible devices and software requirements
To start using Apple Fitness+, the minimum you need is a iPhone with the appropriate iOS version and an active subscriptionFrom there, you can extend the experience to more devices and accessories to get even more out of it and see your metrics on screen while you train.
Regarding iPhone, the service requires a iPhone 8 or later with iOS 16.1 or laterIt is also compatible with a iPhone 6s or later provided it is linked to a Apple Watch Series 3 or later with watchOS 7.2 or later and the iPhone has at least iOS 14.3. In any case, it is always recommended to update to the latest version of iOS to avoid problems.
If you want to use Apple Fitness+ on a tablet's large screen, you need one of these. iPad models:
- iPad Pro (all generations compatible with current iPadOS).
- iPad (fifth generation or later).
- iPad mini 4 or later.
- iPad Air (third generation or later).
- iPad Air 2.
For Apple Fitness+ to appear in the iPad App Store, certain conditions must be met. Either the iPad can update to iPadOS 16.1 or later and is linked to the same Apple ID as the iPhone, or if the iPad cannot reach iPadOS 16.1, you must have a Apple Watch Series 3 or later logged in with that same Apple ID.
In the case of the living room, you can use Apple Fitness+ in Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HDprovided they're updated to the latest version of tvOS. The service displays workouts in 4K, and if you're wearing an Apple Watch or using AirPods Pro 3, the metrics are integrated on-screen in real time. There are also notes on how Use Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD with AirPlay and macOS.
Also, you have the option of use AirPlay To send workouts from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac to a compatible TV or device. Devices that support AirPlay include:
- Smart TVs with the label “Works with Apple AirPlay”.
- MacBook Pro (2018 and later).
- MacBook Air (2018 and later).
- iMac (2019 and later) and iMac Pro.
- Mac mini (2020 and later).
- Mac Pro with recent versions of macOS.
Of course, the metrics overlaid on screen (such as heart rate, timers, or Activity ring animations) only appear on some TVs with fully compatible AirPlay. In all other cases, you'll see the workout video on the big screen, but the metrics will still only be visible on your Apple Watch. Reports have surfaced about Apple TV disconnection problems which should be taken into account.
In the accessories section, Apple allows you to link AirPods Pro 3, Powerbeats Pro 2, or third-party Bluetooth heart rate monitors to the devices from which the workout is played. This way, your stats appear directly in the Fitness app during the session, which is especially useful if you're not wearing your watch.
The new generation of AirPods Pro 3 and Powerbeats Pro 2 It integrates heart rate detection during exercise, and this data is displayed within the Fitness app on iPhone with iOS 26 (and later), iPad with iPadOS 26, and Apple TV with tvOS 26 paired with an iPhone. This opens the door to using Fitness+ with accurate metrics even if you don't yet have an Apple Watch.
Apple Fitness+ pricing and available offers
Globally, Apple Fitness+ is marketed as a monthly or annual subscription serviceIn the international market, the standard price is $9,99 USD per month o 79,99 dollars per year, with the possibility of sharing the subscription with up to five family members through En Familia. In addition, Apple one It includes Fitness+ in its most comprehensive plans.
En JapanThe subscription is offered at a price adapted to the local market, of approximately 1.200 yen per month or 12.000 yen per yearTranslated into dollars, it's around 8 monthly dollars and some $ 80 annuallyHowever, the exact amount may vary depending on the exchange rate. The annual option represents a saving of approximately 17% compared to monthly payments.
You also have to keep in mind that Apple Fitness+ is part of Apple One in their most comprehensive plans. Those already subscribed to these packages (which include services like iCloud, Apple Music, Apple TV+, and others) can often enjoy Fitness+ at no extra cost, which is especially appealing in markets where Apple One is experiencing strong growth.
For new hardware users, Apple usually includes a three-month Apple Fitness+ promotion at no cost when buying compatible devices, like any Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, AirPods Pro 3 or Powerbeats Pro 2provided they are purchased from Apple or authorized resellers and can run the required system versions. See details on the three-month promotion when purchasing compatible hardware.
In the area of payments and security, Apple applies standards of financial-grade cybersecurity (such as PCI DSS), with robust encryption (e.g., AES-256 for card data) and Two-factor authentication (2FA) in the Apple ID. This is especially relevant in markets like Japan, where cyberattacks on financial services and digital platforms have been on the rise and users highly value fraud protection measures.
Privacy, security, and the technologies behind Fitness+
Apple insists that privacy is a central pillar in all its health services, and Fitness+ is no exception.Exercise data, heart rate, calories, and other metrics are stored on the user's device and are only synced with iCloud if the user explicitly enables it, always with end-to-end encryption.
The company emphasizes that it does not sells user data to third parties, and that integrations with external apps are done through HealthKitwith explicit permissions and fine-tuned control over what data is shared. This is especially important in countries with strict regulations, such as the APPI in Japan or GDPR in the European Union, which demand total transparency in the collection and processing of sensitive health data.
To protect accounts, Apple employs an architecture of zero trustverifying each access request, and systems of anomaly detection using artificial intelligenceIf unusual behavior is detected (such as logins from uncommon locations), additional security measures can be activated, such as requiring 2FA or temporary account blocks. Along with the use of Touch ID or Face ID For authentication, this greatly reduces the likelihood of phishing and unauthorized access.
From a more technical perspective, Apple Fitness+ uses machine learning algorithms These systems recommend classes and programs based on the user's activity history, progress, and goals. They analyze usage patterns (in an anonymized and aggregated way) to suggest progressive workouts and prevent both plateaus and overtraining.
In some advanced sessions, Apple begins to experiment with Computer vision and augmented reality to help with posture, especially in exercises like Pilates or certain strength training. They rely on technologies similar to Face ID, but processed locally on the device to avoid compromising privacy. The company has also optimized the service for devices such as the apple watch ultra, incorporating altitude, temperature metrics and realistic route simulations, very useful for mountain training or advanced hiking.
Impact on the digital fitness market and particularities of Japan
The segment of digital fitness is experiencing a sweet momentAnd Japan is no exception. The Japanese market has grown from around 50.000 billion yen in 2019 to over 150.000 billion in 2023, driven by the rise of remote work, urbanization, and growing concerns about sedentary lifestyles. In this context, the arrival of Apple Fitness+ in Japan comes at a very opportune time.
The service faces local competitors such as FinC and global platforms such as Zwift or PelotonBut it has the advantage of a huge installed base of Apple Watch and iPhone in the country. It is estimated that the Apple Watch has around 40% market share in the Japanese smartwatch market, making it easy for many users to try Fitness+ without having to buy expensive extra hardware.
In comparison with PelotonFitness+, which costs around 2.500 yen per month in Japan and focuses heavily on cycling with its own equipment, offers a greater variety of disciplines (including meditation and mindfulness) and integrates natively with devices that many users already own. Compared to alternatives such as Nike Training ClubWhile Fitness+ is very popular and doesn't offer the same depth of real-time metrics, it relies on its sensors and algorithms to provide an extra layer of information and motivation.
Another advantage for the Japanese user is the low streaming latencyApple uses a network of data centers across Asia-Pacific, including servers in Japan, to ensure that classes load almost instantly, even on 5G mobile connections that already cover much of the urban area. Videos and data are encrypted end-to-end, which is crucial in a country where connecting to public Wi-Fi networks on trains, in cafes, and in offices is commonplace.
The most obvious challenge in Japan is the digital divide between generationsWhile younger users are quickly adopting fitness apps and wearables, a significant portion of the population—those over 60, representing around 30%—can feel overwhelmed by complex interfaces. Here, Apple has room to simplify the experience with Japanese voice-guided sessions, improved Siri integration, and clearer menusThis would fit very well with the accessibility approach that the company usually prioritizes.
Looking to the future, it wouldn't be surprising to see Apple exploring integrations with viewers like Apple Vision Pro for mixed reality training, or even potential collaborations with public institutions in Japan for active aging and community health programs. There's also room for more advanced gamification, digital rewards, and, if Apple decides to enter this space, potential collaborations with decentralized technologies to certify athletic achievements, although for now the company seems more focused on the AI for personalization than in the crypto field.
With all this international expansion, the arrival of automatic dubbing in several languages, the musical push with K-Pop and J-Pop, the promotions with operators and gyms, and an increasingly integrated ecosystem of devices, Apple Fitness+ is establishing itself as one of the strongest players in digital fitness.For users in Japan and other new markets, this means that with just an iPhone and the desire to exercise, they have a comprehensive virtual gym at their fingertips, one that adapts to their language, pace, and training style. Learn more about how It is establishing itself as one of the strongest players in digital fitness..
