Apple Watch’s New AI “Workout Buddy” Gets Real‑Time Coach‑Style Pep Talks in watchOS 26

Apple unveiled Workout Buddy, a major new fitness feature powered by AI in the upcoming watchOS 26, at WWDC 2025. Tailored to enhance everyday workouts—like running, walking, cycling, HIIT, and strength training—it brings a virtual fitness coach directly to your wrist.

Real‑Time Spoken Motivation

Utilizes heart rate, pace, distance, and workout history to deliver timely audio insights—celebrating achievements like "Your last mile was your fastest yet!"

Authentic Trainer Voices

Employs voice profiles modeled on Apple Fitness+ trainers, giving a natural, human feel to your workout guidance

Milestone Alerts & Summaries

Announces real‑time progress (e.g., splits, reps), and offers end‑session summaries like pace, heart rate, and whether goals were hit.

Seamless Music Integration

The Workout app now offers quick-access buttons for music control, with Apple Music suggesting personalized playlists matched to your workout and tastes

Privacy‑Focused On‑Device AI

All data processing happens on the watch, ensuring your heart rate, pace, and fitness history stay private.

Fresh User Interface & Gestures

watchOS 26 debuts the “Liquid Glass” redesign, improved Smart Stack intelligence, and a wrist flick gesture to dismiss notifications without breakpointing your flow.

Release Timing: Public beta in July, full release expected this fall.

Supported Devices: Apple Watch Series 6 or newer (including SE and Ultra) paired with iPhone 11 or later. Wrestling with AI features requires Series 9 or newer with Apple Intelligence on iPhone.

Language Support: English at launch, with workout type coverage expected to expand over time.

Workout Buddy elevates the Apple Watch from a passive fitness tracker to an active coaching companion. Whether you're a casual exerciser or training for milestones like a 10K run, having real-time encouragement, milestones-based feedback, and workout recaps can significantly boost motivation and adherence. Operated privately and powered by advanced AI, it reflects Apple's strategy to integrate intelligence deeply across its devices.

With Workout Buddy, Apple Watch brings a smart, privacy-first personal trainer right to your wrist—pushing, praising, and tracking you through every stride, rep, and beat. Alongside refreshed UI, gestures, and Apple Music integration, watchOS 26 proves to be a robust fitness and lifestyle update.