The tenth anniversary of the Apple Watch is upon us, and with it, the tenth anniversary of the company’s famous fitness tracking rings. In those ten years, my activity levels have run the full spectrum, from training as a serious athlete to bed rest after multiple surgeries. Through it all, Apple’s colorful rings have been a constant companion. My feelings about them have been mixed, but overall, it’s hard not to feel nostalgic after a decade-long relationship.
Ringing in a decade of influence
To recap: Apple’s activity rings are three colorful circles that turn your daily movement into a low-stakes game of self-worth. The pink Move ring tracks active calories burned, the green Exercise ring counts minutes of effort (think brisk walking or more), and the blue Stand ring just wants you to get off your butt once an hour. When users hit their daily goals, the rings close with a celebratory sparkle. Like many Apple Watch users, I’ve been closing rings for years, building and breaking streaks like my abs depended on it.