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The Age of Paying a Monthly Fitness Tracker Subscription is Here
By Andrew Williams, Contributor at Forbes
In 2009-2011, Fitbit brought step counting into the mainstream, making fitness trackers a social pastime. Now, it seems that a new era has emerged – one where we have to pay a monthly fee for the use of these devices, or at least to get the most out of them.
Garmin’s Connect+ announcement in March 2025 sparked outrage among its fan base. While Garmin wasn’t the first wearable maker to offer subscriptions, it was unexpected from a company that had often seemed to be an antithesis of such a move. A Garmin watch would always provide more value than needed without demanding additional payments beyond the cost of the device itself for most buyers.
Polar has now followed suit in a similar manner, introducing its Fitness Program subscription at around $11 per month. Polar emphasizes that existing features will remain free to use, but those not available otherwise can be unlocked with this paid plan. The Fitness Program focuses on creating personalized training plans based on the user’s needs and motivates them with badges and “stars.” One of the primary drivers for these newly paid-for services is AI, which allows companies like Polar to provide personalized feedback without having to hire actual experts or coaches.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewwilliams/2025/04/15/the-age-of-paying-a-monthly-fitness-tracker-subscription-is-here/
