Apple Fitness+ team hit by layoffs, as ‘major changes’ reportedly loom

Apple Fitness+ is facing potential layoffs as the company evaluates its future, according to a Bloomberg report. A "handful of employees" working on the service have reportedly been let go, signaling the start of larger changes to come. Mark Gurman, in his latest Power On newsletter, revealed that the cuts affect those responsible for the audio features of Fitness+, including guided Time to Walk and Time to Run sessions.

Despite these layoffs, Gurman assures that new releases will not be entirely discontinued, but rather their frequency will decrease.

Apple Fitness+ is not currently under threat of being cut entirely, but given the service's significant costs, the constant need for fresh content, and rising subscriber churn rates, it's a prime target for Apple to make budget adjustments. The layoffs are likely just the first move in a series of cost-cutting measures and other significant changes for Fitness+ in the coming months and years.

In November, Gurman had reported that the future of Apple Fitness+ was being "reviewed." Since then, leadership of the service has been handed to services boss Eddy Cue and health boss Sumbul Desai. Cue has reportedly urged Apple to "move faster and be more competitive" in the health and fitness space. Gurman believes that Apple may eventually incorporate Fitness+ into the revamped Health app, and he may be correct.