Fitness Fitness Tips

Facebook’s New Feature Lets You Work Out With Your Long-Distance BFF

Kells McPhillips

July 25, 2018

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Despite Mark Zuckeberg's rocky credibility, Facebook itself continues to roll out features that help you live a more (digitally) connected life. Late last year, the social media platform launched a snooze function to help you press pause on the most emotionally triggering people in your life, and this spring, it officially entered the matchmaking game. Now the Megalodon of the internet is offering a brand-new function that you'll totally, well, like. Watch Party, which a company release notes was just launched globally, is an easy way for Facebook Group members to watch videos together in real time with their long-distance besties.

Here's the gist: After logging into your account and popping into your fave group (like say, "Meal-Preppers Anonymous" or "Ladies of BDE"), you can upload or stream live videos and invite other members of your digital squad to view 'em. (And, by the way, it's this invitation-only aspect that sets the feature apart from existing video functions, like Facebook Live. Those who don't get the memo won't know what you're up to.)

"Some describe how this shared viewing experience can be used to bridge distance between close friends and family when they can’t physically be together." —Facebook

So even though you may be miles apart from your partner in crime, you can totally turn your solo sweat seshes into cyberspace group fitness classes. Just suit up in your favorite leggings, start a Watch Party with your #WorkoutWife, and queue up any publicly available exercise videos on-site.

"Some describe how this shared viewing experience can be used to bridge distance between close friends and family when they can’t physically be together," the release states. No kidding: This weekend alone, closed groups like Outdoor Afro, Fitness Sisters, and Veggie Challenge will be using the fresh feature to share videos that cover topics like African-American leadership in nature, how to form fit friendships, and all-vegetable recipes, respectively. Basically, it's like having a wellness-injected Netflix binge with like-minded individuals.

The next step is making Watch Party available outside of groups—which Facebook reports it is working on—so that you can start a HIIT party right from your own profile. For now though, the feature is reserved solely for hosts and cohosts within the groups you own or join. And if that's not motivation enough for you and your bestie to create your own yoga lovin' tribe online, what is?

Speaking of bonding, here's every question you should ask about your friendships. Plus, here's why your group texting habits might be doing more harm than good.