Making Fitness Personal: AI Coaching Comes to Apple Watch
Apple has introduced a game-changing addition to its wearable ecosystem with Workout Buddy, a feature debuting with watchOS 26. First unveiled during WWDC 2025 on June 9, this AI-powered virtual coach is poised to redefine how users engage with fitness on the Apple Watch. By combining on-device artificial intelligence with biometric data and a natural voice interface, Apple aims to make the act of working out feel more interactive, personalized, and motivating.
The feature is currently scheduled to enter public beta in July 2025, with a general release in September 2025, as part of the broader watchOS 26 rollout.
What is Workout Buddy and How Does It Work?
Workout Buddy transforms the Apple Watch from a passive fitness tracker into an active, conversational fitness companion. Powered by Apple Intelligence, the company’s new on-device AI system, it provides real-time coaching prompts and feedback during workouts. These messages are not just generic alerts. They are dynamically generated based on a user’s current performance metrics—such as heart rate, pace, distance, and workout history.
For instance, if you’re halfway through a run and hitting your best pace, Workout Buddy might speak up with encouragement like, “You’re on track to beat your personal best—keep going!” At the end of a session, the assistant offers a detailed breakdown of performance metrics and celebrates milestones.
Behind the scenes, the system uses a text-to-speech engine trained on the vocal characteristics of Apple Fitness+ trainers. This makes the spoken guidance feel surprisingly natural, helping the assistant sound more like a real human coach rather than a robotic announcer.
Privacy-First Design with On-Device Intelligence
One of the most significant technical achievements of Workout Buddy lies in its on-device processing. Apple has designed this feature to operate fully on the user’s Apple Watch and iPhone, without requiring any cloud connectivity. This means that all workout data—your heart rate, activity levels, historical performance—remains private and securely stored on your devices.
Using the advanced neural engine available in newer Apple devices, the AI models can deliver feedback in real-time, with low latency and no internet dependency. This privacy-focused approach not only ensures data security, but also allows Workout Buddy to function seamlessly in offline environments—like during a trail run in the mountains or a gym session without Wi-Fi.
Supported Workouts and Voice Feedback
At launch, Workout Buddy will support a carefully selected range of workout types. These include outdoor and indoor running, outdoor and indoor walking, cycling, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and both traditional and functional strength training. This list may expand over time, but Apple has chosen to focus initially on high-impact, widely used routines where real-time coaching can make a meaningful difference.
The voice feedback is not random or pre-recorded. Instead, it is generated dynamically using machine learning models that adjust tone, timing, and content based on your specific workout context. Whether you are pushing through a final sprint or cooling down after a lifting session, the voice of Workout Buddy responds accordingly to maintain motivation and enhance the workout experience.
Initially, Workout Buddy will be available only in English, with support for other languages expected in future updates.
Device Requirements and Ecosystem Integration
To use Workout Buddy, users will need a compatible Apple Watch and iPhone. Specifically, the feature requires Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2, or later models capable of running watchOS 26 with support for Apple Intelligence. On the iPhone side, users must have an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or any device in the iPhone 16 lineup running iOS 26.
Because Workout Buddy’s AI functions are distributed between the Apple Watch and the iPhone, both devices must remain in close proximity during a workout. Bluetooth headphones or AirPods are also required to hear the real-time voice coaching, as feedback is delivered through audio and not through the watch speaker.
watchOS 26: Aesthetic and Functional Upgrades
Workout Buddy is a flagship feature of watchOS 26, but it arrives alongside several other noteworthy enhancements. The user interface is getting a visual refresh through a new “Liquid Glass” design, which introduces translucent layers and a frosted finish to core system elements such as the Smart Stack, Control Center, and Photos watch face. The result is a more modern and fluid visual experience across the watch.
The Workout app itself is also being redesigned. The new interface includes four corner buttons that allow quick access to common features like custom workouts, pacing tools, race route planning, and Apple Music integration. These changes are aimed at improving usability during workouts when quick interactions matter most.
Another welcome addition is smarter notifications, which are now context-aware and less intrusive. A new gesture-based control lets users flick their wrist to dismiss alerts or incoming calls without touching the screen—ideal for maintaining workout focus.
Apple Music will also play a supporting role by suggesting playlists based on your workout history and music preferences, making it easier to stay in rhythm while exercising.
Why Workout Buddy Matters
Workout Buddy represents more than just another feature update. It signals Apple’s shift toward context-aware, emotionally intelligent technology that adapts to the user in real time. By combining biometric performance data with motivational voice feedback and privacy-first design, Apple is positioning the Apple Watch as not just a fitness tracker, but a trusted, intelligent training partner.
This development is particularly timely as more users seek personalized health tools that do not compromise privacy. With Workout Buddy, Apple has managed to deliver both—a deeply personal experience, grounded in your own data, that remains entirely on your device.
Fitness Meets Intelligence
As watchOS 26 approaches its public release in September 2025, Workout Buddy stands out as one of the most practical and user-focused features Apple has introduced in years. It’s not just about numbers or trends—it’s about helping users stay consistent, motivated, and informed throughout their fitness journey.
Whether you are training for your first 10K, maintaining a daily walking routine, or aiming to break personal lifting records, Workout Buddy will be there—quietly observing, encouraging, and guiding you toward your goals, one rep or step at a time.
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