Microsoft upgrades its Band fitness wearable with 12 new guided workouts

Microsoft today said it’s added 12 new custom workouts to the Microsoft Health app that pairs with its Microsoft Band wearable.

The new workouts are part of the Guided Workouts that Microsoft sourced from various partners, like Gold’s Gym and Men’s Fitness magazine.

Included in the new workouts are some by best-selling fitness author Mark Rippetoe, Microsoft says. The Rippetoe workouts come straight from his best-selling book, Starting Strength.

Microsoft’s Guided Workouts, which now number more than 100, can be downloaded to the Microsoft Band from the Health app. The Band uses a series of timers and wrist buzzes to guide the user through the workouts. Some of the workouts use common exercise equipment like kettlebells, dumbbells, plyometric boxes, and jumprope. Users can find video instructions for the workouts in the Health app.

The Band’s workout portfolio now includes strength training workouts of all levels, time frames, and difficulties, Microsoft says, ranging from routines for beginners, up to experienced enthusiasts.

Today’s update also includes four new workout plans that range from between two to three weeks each.

Microsoft also says its Health web application is still under development, but that it’ll have more updates on that in the coming weeks.