If You Want to Get Fit with Apple Watch and iOS 26’s Workout Buddy Feature
Apple's latest iPhone software, iOS 26, and watchOS 26 introduced a feature called Workout Buddy. This companion uses Apple Intelligence to give verbal feedback during workouts and motivation based on past activity. It analyzes your pace, heart rate, distance, and other metrics to provide real-time encouragement and performance insights directly through connected Bluetooth headphones.
The feature is designed to feel like a supportive training partner rather than a strict coach. Workout Buddy can remind you of weekly totals, alert you to personal bests or milestones, and provide an overview when you finish. It operates in English by default with a text-to-speech model trained on voices from Apple Fitness+ trainers. However, it's only available for a subset of workout types, including running, walking, cycling, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and strength training.
To enable Workout Buddy, open the Fitness app on your iPhone and tap the "Workout" tab at the bottom. Scroll through the list until you find the workout type you want to use with Workout Buddy and tap the waveform bubble icon associated with that workout. Flip the toggle to enable it and choose a voice from the available options. On Apple Watch, open the Workout app and select the workout type you want to do, then look for the Alerts button on screen, tap "Workout Buddy," flip the switch to on, and choose a voice if one is not already selected.
Once you start exercising with Workout Buddy, it will speak to you through your connected headphones. The feedback is designed to be encouraging and relevant to your pace, performance, or milestones. At the end of your session, Workout Buddy will offer a summary of key metrics like duration, distance, and calorie burn.
To customize Workout Buddy settings, go to the Fitness app on iPhone and set a default voice preference for each workout type. On Apple Watch, quickly toggle the feature on or off before starting a session. If you encounter any issues, try toggling the feature off and on again in the Fitness app or rebooting both devices.
Supported models include the latest iPhones running iOS 26, paired with an Apple Watch running watchOS 26, and Bluetooth headphones connected to either your iPhone or Apple Watch. Workout Buddy also requires your device language to be set to English, at least initially. With this feature, you'll have a supportive training partner by your side to help you reach your fitness goals.
Key requirements before starting with Workout Buddy include:
- Apple Watch running watchOS 26 or later
- iPhone with iOS 26 installed and Bluetooth headphones paired
- Device language set to English
To get the most out of Workout Buddy, ensure that all these requirements are met. By doing so, you'll be able to use this feature effectively during workouts and achieve your fitness goals with a supportive training partner by your side.
Apple's latest iPhone software, iOS 26, and watchOS 26 introduced a feature called Workout Buddy. This companion uses Apple Intelligence to give verbal feedback during workouts and motivation based on past activity. It analyzes your pace, heart rate, distance, and other metrics to provide real-time encouragement and performance insights directly through connected Bluetooth headphones.
The feature is designed to feel like a supportive training partner rather than a strict coach. Workout Buddy can remind you of weekly totals, alert you to personal bests or milestones, and provide an overview when you finish. It operates in English by default with a text-to-speech model trained on voices from Apple Fitness+ trainers. However, it's only available for a subset of workout types, including running, walking, cycling, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and strength training.
To enable Workout Buddy, open the Fitness app on your iPhone and tap the "Workout" tab at the bottom. Scroll through the list until you find the workout type you want to use with Workout Buddy and tap the waveform bubble icon associated with that workout. Flip the toggle to enable it and choose a voice from the available options. On Apple Watch, open the Workout app and select the workout type you want to do, then look for the Alerts button on screen, tap "Workout Buddy," flip the switch to on, and choose a voice if one is not already selected.
Once you start exercising with Workout Buddy, it will speak to you through your connected headphones. The feedback is designed to be encouraging and relevant to your pace, performance, or milestones. At the end of your session, Workout Buddy will offer a summary of key metrics like duration, distance, and calorie burn.
To customize Workout Buddy settings, go to the Fitness app on iPhone and set a default voice preference for each workout type. On Apple Watch, quickly toggle the feature on or off before starting a session. If you encounter any issues, try toggling the feature off and on again in the Fitness app or rebooting both devices.
Supported models include the latest iPhones running iOS 26, paired with an Apple Watch running watchOS 26, and Bluetooth headphones connected to either your iPhone or Apple Watch. Workout Buddy also requires your device language to be set to English, at least initially. With this feature, you'll have a supportive training partner by your side to help you reach your fitness goals.
Key requirements before starting with Workout Buddy include:
- Apple Watch running watchOS 26 or later
- iPhone with iOS 26 installed and Bluetooth headphones paired
- Device language set to English
To get the most out of Workout Buddy, ensure that all these requirements are met. By doing so, you'll be able to use this feature effectively during workouts and achieve your fitness goals with a supportive training partner by your side.
It's like having a personal trainer in my ear, but not too pushy, you know? 
Reminds me of those old Nike+ days back in the day... just kidding, that was like, 10 years ago and we thought it was so cool to get a wristband with our progress tracked! 
Anyway, this feature is actually pretty sweet. The motivation from Workout Buddy keeps me going during tough intervals... I feel like my old coach used to shout at me when I was struggling, but I guess that's just part of the nostalgia vibe 
. Seriously though, it's nice to have a bit of encouragement during those grueling sprints or burpees. Bring on the gains! 
The fact that it analyzes my pace, heart rate, and other metrics to give me real-time feedback is just genius. I'm already thinking of trying out the high-intensity interval training (HIIT) feature - I've heard it's a total game-changer 
. One thing I'm hoping they add soon is some more customization options for voice preferences, but overall, I'm stoked to see Apple taking fitness tech to the next level 
, especially for running and HIIT workouts. It's like having a personal trainer in your ear, motivating you to push harder and reach those fitness milestones 
. I'd love to see this feature integrated into yoga or meditation sessions too 
. Until then, I'll be using it to crush my runs and HIIT sessions 
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. But honestly, I wish it was available for more workout types... high-intensity interval training (hiit) is my fave but not everyone can do that 
. Anyway, if u haven't tried it yet, u gotta give it a shot! 
! It's like having a personal trainer in my ear, without being too intense or annoying 
. I love how it analyzes my performance and provides real-time encouragement to keep me motivated during workouts 
. Plus, it's really easy to set up and customize - just toggle the feature on/off before starting a session 
. The only thing I wish is that more workout types were supported... I mean, what about yoga or Pilates? 
Anyway, this feature has definitely helped me stay consistent with my fitness goals 
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. It's like having someone who actually cares about your fitness goals, even when you're feeling lazy 
. The fact that it uses AI to analyze your performance and provide real-time feedback is also really clever 
. I'm not sure if it would be enough to get me to start working out regularly though...I mean, how motivating is a virtual voice telling you to pick up the pace? 
Still, for people who are already into fitness, it could be a great way to stay motivated and track their progress 
way more fun 
or "Let's pick up the pace, you got this!" 
while I'm sweating out on the treadmill 
. And who doesn't love having a personal trainer with a sarcastic attitude 
! 
. i'm def gonna enable workout buddy for my running and cycling workouts ASAP 
And don't even get me started on how annoying it is when the "feedback" just sounds like a robotic voice telling you how fast you're going 
Can't they make it more personalized or something? 
Still, I guess it's a good start... 
It's like having your own personal motivator that's always there to cheer you on 
! It's like having a personal trainer in your ear, cheering you on and keeping you motivated throughout those tough workouts 
. I've tried it out with running and cycling, and it's seriously helped me push through when I'm feeling drained 
. Overall, Workout Buddy sounds like an awesome way to boost your fitness game - can't wait to see how it develops! 
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! This new Workout Buddy feature on iOS 26 and watchOS 26 is like having a personal trainer in your ear... I mean, head 
. But, come on, don't expect me to run 10 miles in one go just 'cause it says I've done 5 before 
.
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. Plus, being able to customize the voice settings is a great touch, so you can pick the one that motivates you most