Workout Buddy is a new function in Watchos 26 that uses Apple Intelligence to raise your sports performance to a higher level. You can best compare the function with a virtual AI coach that you motivate in real time during your workout, give feedback and analyze your performance based on your personal training dates and history.
Unfortunately, with the introduction, Workout Buddy is only available in English and only works for a select number of popular workouts. In addition, the function requires an Apple Watch that is connected to an iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence.
Workout Buddy for Apple Watch
Workout Buddy is a unique feature that uses Apple Intelligence. Based on your workout data and fitness history you get personal insights during training, such as your heart rate, pace, activity rings, personal fitness mile poles and much more.
Apple Intelligence for Apple Watch
All analyzes and feedback are processed locally on your device with Apple Intelligence. Because the Apple Watch itself is not yet supported AI, an iPhone with Apple Intelligence is necessary, these are the iPhone 16th, 16 (Plus), 15 Pro (Max) or newer.
Workout Buddy motivates you in real time. For this, the data of your current workout and your fitness history are analyzed safely and private. Subsequently, a new text-to-speech model converts those insights into a generative voice based on the voices of Fitness+ trainers, so that the voice fits perfectly with your workout in style and show.
Virtual AI coach
For example, if you go for a walk, Workout Buddy gives you a personal pep talk by reminding you of the distance you have traveled so far or by sharing the progress with your activity ring: ‘Top that you started running this morning. You still need 18 minutes to fill your training ring. You have run almost 10 km this week. Try to add more to that. “
During your workout, Workout Buddy can mark important moments, such as your fastest kilometer, or indicate that you have reached a new milestone: ‘Fourth kilometers. You walked faster and took 8 minutes and 28 seconds over the last kilometer. “ or “Hey, you have to see. You have run more than 300 kilometers in total! What a great achievement! ‘
Afterwards you will see a summary of the workout and a compliment about your results: ‘On the right track! You have covered 7 kilometers in 38 minutes. Your average pace was 8 minutes and 58 seconds, and your average heart rate was 128. That was your longest session in the last 28 days. What are you going to achieve after this? “
Support Workout Buddy
Workout Buddy can be used on Apple Watch with a Bluetooth headphone. For this, an iPhone must be nearby that supports Apple Intelligence. The feature is first only available in English for the most popular workouts, such as running inside and outside, walking inside and outside, cycling outside, HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), and functional and traditional strength training.