Apple Unveils AI-Powered 'Workout Buddy' for Apple Watch at WWDC

[MacRumors]

Apple at WWDC just announced Workout Buddy, which brings Apple Intelligence to fitness workouts on Apple Watch for the first time.

The new feature analyzes real-time workout data alongside users' fitness history—including heart rate, pace, distance, and Activity rings—to deliver personalized motivational insights during exercise sessions. A custom text-to-speech model converts these insights into dynamic audio coaching using voice data from Fitness+ trainers. Workout Buddy processes this data privately and securely with Apple Intelligence.

The feature requires Bluetooth headphones and an Apple Intelligence-supported iPhone nearby. Initial support covers popular workout types including Outdoor and Indoor Run, Outdoor and Indoor Walk, Outdoor Cycle, HIIT, and Functional and Traditional Strength Training.
Workout Buddy launches in English first, with additional languages expected later.

Workout Buddy is included in iOS 26 and watchOS 26, which will be released to the public in the fall. Beta testing is available starting today.

Article Link: Apple Unveils AI-Powered 'Workout Buddy' for Apple Watch at WWDC

 

[flexwithmarius]

RIP personal trainers 😂

Jokes aside, and as a personal trainer, the cheesy voice would drive me insane. I promise we don’t all talk like that.

 

[AnTaR3s]

Wow. I think this is the most useless thing Apple ever announced. WTH?

 

[jz0309]

As long as there is a toggle to turn it off…

 

[dominiongamma]

Apple has lost its way

 

[jyw104]

I'm struggling to understand how that would work with functional strength training if it can't tell how heavy the barbells are for example

 

[Pudlo]

and new icons!!!! don't forgot new icons! liquid icons to be more precise wit nice specular highlights!! 🤦

 

[rxp]

So no routeable offline topo maps but annoying AI crap, gotcha

 

[ultratiem]

Apple has lost its way

You know I’ve always hated this doomsday kind of talk but this year. They’ve actually shown just how lost they are.

The AI features are all things almost no one asked for.

The obnoxious glass with an overuse of blur.

Their priorities are so jumbled. Did they lose 60% of their talent? What happened?!?

 

[jonplackett]

I love running. I love new tech. I have an Apple Watch. I should be in the market for this.

But I feel not impulse to try this.

 

[spazzcat]

You know I’ve always hated this doomsday kind of talk but this year. They’ve actually shown just how lost they are.

The AI features are all things almost no one asked for.

The obnoxious glass with an overuse of blur.

Their priorities are so jumbled. Did they lose 60% of their talent? What happened?!?

Starting to thing MR has jump the shark. Nohting but negativity and whining. There several features I can't wait to try out later today.

 

[ultratiem]

I love running. I love new tech. I have an Apple Watch. I should be in the market for this.

But I feel not impulse to try this.

Come on man. Don’t you want an obnoxious AI voice to tell you what a great job you’re doing? You’re crushing it brother!

 

[flexwithmarius]

I'm struggling to understand how that would work with functional strength training if it can't tell how heavy the barbells are for example

Unless they start using the gyroscope to predict movements, it won’t work for weights. Even then, other apps that use the gyroscope can’t detect how heavy you’re lifting.

 

[applefan8254]

Can we get an iPad app to activate and sync apple watch? Thank you

 

[t0rqx]

RIP all Apple Watch. Time to upgrade.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

This ain’t it. All these years and Apple still can’t train you for an upcoming race. Simple functionality that is sorely needed.

 

[BelgianChoklit]

Too bad no new watch faces..

 

[FSMBP]

Cringy..."You CRUSHED your work out, fam!" so corny.

 

[srbNYC]

I won't use it unless it calls me "bro."

 

[JMStearnsX2]

Not for me.
I have all workout related notifications turned off. I just want to do my runs & walks in peace, not having my audiobooks & music interrupted needlessly.
But to each their own...

 

[omenatarhuri]

RIP personal trainers 😂

Jokes aside, and as a personal trainer, the cheesy voice would drive me insane. I promise we don’t all talk like that.

Yeah, lol, that robot voice did not work for me at all either.

 

[sjsharksfan12]

The whole Workout Buddy thing just feels a little stalker-ish to me, but it reminded me of the movie Her. The future is now, I suppose.

 

[macduke]

The whole Workout Buddy demo felt very uncanny valley to me, just kinda creeped me out in general. Felt too stiff and gave me vibes of when ChatGPT leaned super hard into trying to be too supportive and friendly a few months ago. Hopefully they allow us to customize this but knowing Apple I doubt it, so I will probably never use it. I don't like fluffy fake personalities.

 

[damienDevZ]

This is kind of like having those really overly enthusiastic and annoying Fitness+ instructors but an AI version commenting on your activity. I’m not sure about this, but I’m willing to give it a try.

 

[svish]

Might be useful. Think it will be available in all regions and not just the US at launch. Will try it out if it is available in my country.