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Ever since I was a child, Ive loved staying active.

That has continued into adulthood, and now I exercise daily using the Workout app on myApple Watch.

Three iPhones side by side with the Gentler Streak app running on each of them.

Im the bang out of person who hates to break a streak.Duolingo?

698 days and counting.

Its safe to say that gamification works incredibly well on me.

A person tracks a pickleball workout on an Apple Watch.

But what happens when youre ill, injured, or just want a break?

Lets be honest here: its unrealistic to expect people to do this.

People need time to rest science tells us as much.

Three Apple Watches side by side with the Gentler Streak app running on each of them.

Recovery is essential to building your health and fitness, yet its something Apple doesnt seem to understand.

Fortunately, Ive found another app that does.

Its calledGentler Streak, and it epitomizes a completely different approach to exercise.

A person wearing an Apple Watch with the Gentler Streak app showing on the Watch face.

Unlike Apples app, Gentler Streak knows that people need time off.

you’re able to happily rest and pick things up the next day, guilt-free.

Better yet, Gentler Streak learns your bodys fitness level and then suggests subsequent activities that suit it best.

If you took it easy one day, the app might recommend a harder workout the next.

Its the flexible approach that Apples Workout app is so sorely lacking, and Im incredibly grateful for it.

A better way to exercise

Gentler Streaks central feature is the Activity Path.

Its an extra layer that Apples Workout app never offers.

And if you want some pointers, Gentler Streak offers suggestions for you to choose from.

When its time to track your exercises, Gentler Streak has you covered as well.

Whether you want to see heart rate zones or elevation changes, its all in there.

That all means that Gentler Streak feels like a workout app that understands regular people.

It knows that not everyone can exercise every single day often, life gets in the way.

It also learns each users needs and adjusts accordingly, ensuring theres always an appropriate workout ready to go.

The irony is that Apple championed this approach when it first launched the Apple Watch.

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