Apple’s new Workout Buddy feature incorporates your workout data and fitness history to generate personalised, motivational insights during your workout sessions.
Announced on Monday as part of the WatchOS 26 update, the feature is a “first-of-its-kind workout experience”.
Workout Buddy will be on the Apple Watch and uses Apple Intelligence, the AI system developed by Apple.
It will be available only in English at first, across the most popular workout types, including outdoor cycling, running, walking, HIIT and strength training.
Alongside an Apple Watch, you will need a pair of Bluetooth headphones for it to work and an Apple Intelligence-supported iPhone nearby.
Meaningful inspiration in real time
Workout Buddy uses a new text-to-speech model that will then translate insights into a “dynamic generative voice” that Apple says will match the tone and energy required for a workout.
Apple says: “To offer meaningful inspiration in real time, Workout Buddy analyzes data from a user’s current workout along with their fitness history, based on data like heart rate, pace, distance, Activity rings, personal fitness milestones, and more.”
Apple has also revealed the kinds of encouragement Workout Buddy will provide. These include statements such as “Way to go on your run this morning”, “You just broke your all-time weekly distance record!” and “You’ve climbed 2,000 feet in elevation”.
As soon as you start an activity, Workout Buddy can start with a pep talk before marking key moments in an activity, such as distance covered. Then, once you’ve completed your activity, it will recognise your effort and provide summary stats, including speed and average heart rate.
Workout app also updated
As part of WWDC25, Apple’s annual developer conference, Apple says Workout is one of its most popular apps.
It has a new layout to help you easily create a custom workout or race against your fastest time on a route.
There are also new media features built into the app. You can now let Apple choose the best playlist for your workout, or you can select playlists or podcasts based on what you’ve been listening to.
