Apple’s unveiling of watchOS 9 at WWDC unsurprisingly emphasized health and fitness updates (along with four new watch faces) but offered a surprise or two, including a new medication-tracking app and a brilliant little Dock tweak.

Peloton exercise bikes are expensive and lock users into the company’s exercise service. Julio Ojeda-Zapata tried a less expensive alternative, Bowflex’s C6 bike. It gives users the flexibility to use a range of fitness services with an iPhone or iPad, an Apple TV, or a Mac.

Despite owning an Apple Watch from the beginning, Josh Centers didn’t get much use from its fitness-tracking capabilities until he gave up on Apple’s software.

Apple has announced that its Apple Fitness+ service will launch on December 14th. Apple Watch owners can try it for a month for free, and those who buy a new Apple Watch get three free months. After that, it’s $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year.

Looking for a way to work out at home during the pandemic? Adam Engst tried the Stealth Core Trainer, which enables you to do dynamic planks while using your body as a game controller for playing simple video games on your iPhone.

Apple has expanded its stable of subscription services with the addition of Apple Fitness+, an integrated “workout experience” that relies on multiple Apple devices and an ever-changing collection of workout classes. Plus, the company will soon offer bundles of services under the Apple One name.

Outdoor cycling is feasible during the COVID-19 pandemic, but long rides are impractical and group rides are an infection risk. Enter Zwift, a bicycling simulator you run on an iPad, Mac, or Apple TV as you sit on a stationary bicycle. As you pedal, your Zwift counterpart does the same as it roams exotic realms. You can meet friends on Zwift, and you might even see a T-Rex!

Step counting is a good way to ensure you’re staying active, and if you don’t have an Apple Watch, your iPhone can keep track of how many steps you take every day. Apple’s Health app includes step counting among its fitness metrics. Better yet, try a third-party pedometer app such as ActivityTracker Pedometer or Pedometer++.

Smartwatches like the Apple Watch are saving lives, but they’re not quite legitimate medical devices yet.