Apple recently unveiled Workout Buddy, an innovative feature in watchOS 26, during the WWDC 2025 event on June 9. This unique tool is designed to enhance users’ fitness journeys by delivering personalized and motivational insights based on their fitness data, utilizing Apple Intelligence. Workout Buddy will be compatible with Apple Watch when paired with Bluetooth headphones and an Apple Intelligence-supported iPhone.

The Workout Buddy feature harnesses a user’s fitness data, such as personal milestones and workout history, to provide relevant guidance. This data is analyzed securely, and a new text-to-speech model generates a dynamic voice for the user to follow. By using voice samples from Fitness+ trainers, the feature aims to offer a personalized pep talk at the start of each workout.

Throughout the session, Workout Buddy offers tips to help users achieve their fitness goals, maintain pace, and more, while monitoring crucial metrics like heart rate, distance, and the completion of Activity ring goals. Essentially, Workout Buddy acts like a sports commentator, motivating and guiding users along their fitness path. It can analyze various workouts, including outdoor and indoor runs, walks, cycling, HIIT, and strength training.

Currently, voice output is available in English, but Apple plans to expand support for additional languages and workout types soon. In addition to Workout Buddy, Apple announced several new features for the Apple Watch with watchOS 26. These include a refreshed design called Liquid Glass, an improved Smart Stack for better display of information, and new buttons for enhanced navigation.

The update will also introduce functionality for automatic music or podcast playback during workouts and a Live Translation feature for message translations. The watchOS 26 developer preview became available on June 9, with a public beta expected in July. The full release is anticipated in September 2025.