Yahoo Finance Apple launches a new feature aimed to make your daily walks more interesting
On January 25, Apple announced Time to Walk, a series of walks narrated by influential and interesting people for Apple Watch.
Each week, new episodes from notable guests such as Dolly Parton, Draymond Green, Shawn Mendez, and Uzo Aduba, will appear in the Workout App on the Apple Watch.
Other popular apps, including Peloton, Headspace, and Variis also offer audio-guided walks or walking workouts.
As runners, we generally focus on logging weekly miles via long runs and speedwork. But with coronavirus restrictions limiting gym access and many of us working from home, we often find ourselves turning to daily walks for movement and mental clarity.
To make those strolls a little more interesting, Apple launched Time to Walk, a series of walks narrated by influential people, on January 25. The walks are not guided workouts, but more like an interactive podcast paired with movement. As you walk, the narrator shares personal stories that include their connection to certain songs. If a visual is mentioned, your watch will ping with a photo of it to guide you through what you are hearing. At the end, you’ll get a short playlist of the songs mentioned in case you’d like to continue your walk.
New walks (which range from 25 to 40 minutes) will be added weekly each Monday from now until April. If you use a wheelchair, Time to Walk becomes Time to Push, and will start an Outdoor Wheelchair Walk Pace workout.
The most recent Time to Walk episodes will automatically upload to your Apple Watch with a Fitness+ subscription, and you’ll be able to upload other episodes from the Fitness app on your phone. The first guests include country music star Dolly Parton, NBA player Draymond Green, musician Shawn Mendes, and Emmy Award winner Uzo Aduba.
If you don’t have an Apple Watch or iPhone, there are other apps that feature walking workouts or meditations.
Peloton
Aside from the indoor cycling and HIIT workouts that Peloton users are obsessed with, you will also find guided walking workouts—both outdoors and on the tread. You can preview the playlist for the class to select the music style you prefer, and you can choose your type of walk—from a hike to a power walk to something beat-based.
If you’re new to running, there are also some great Walk + Run classes to help you get started.
Headspace
Headspace walking meditations are designed to help you relax and focus when you’re on autopilot during a walk. Class options help you connect to the world around you, whether you’re walking through a city or confined to your home (for a coronavirus-related quarantine or any other reason). The walking meditations will incorporate the rhythm of your feet, your movement, and sounds, smells, and sensations to help you centre yourself.
If you’re looking to up your overall meditation game (which can help boost performance), you can also access themed courses and a new meditation every day.
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