AI-Powered Fitness Companion on Apple Watch: Enabling Workout Buddy in watchOS 26
Are you ready to take your fitness game to the next level with the new AI-powered fitness coach, Workout Buddy? Here's a step-by-step guide on how to enable and customize this feature on your Apple Watch running watchOS 26.
Check Device Compatibility
Before you dive in, ensure your devices meet the necessary requirements. You'll need an Apple Watch Series 6 or newer, running watchOS 26, and a paired iPhone 15 Pro or newer with iOS 26 installed. The reason for this is that Workout Buddy relies on Apple Intelligence, a feature available only on these devices. Also, note that Workout Buddy currently supports English only[1][3].
Connect Headphones to Your Apple Watch
Since Workout Buddy provides voice feedback, it's essential to have Bluetooth headphones or AirPods connected to your Apple Watch[1].
Enable Workout Buddy in the Workout App
- Open the Apple Watch Workout app.
- Find the Workout Buddy option and toggle it on. This option will only appear when device requirements are met[1].
Choose Supported Workouts
Workout Buddy supports various workout types, including Outdoor/Indoor Run, Outdoor/Indoor Walk, Outdoor/Indoor Ride, High Intensity Interval Training, Strength Training, Hiking, Elliptical, and Stair Stepper[5]. You can select which workouts you want Workout Buddy to be active for inside the Workout app settings[1].
Customize Voice Coaching
Workout Buddy offers multiple synthesized voices trained from real Apple Fitness+ trainers. You can switch between Voice 1, Voice 2, and recently added Voice 3 in the settings to select the voice style that motivates you best[4][5].
Working Requirements During Workouts
During your workout, your iPhone with Apple Intelligence enabled must stay within range of your Apple Watch because Workout Buddy offloads some processing to the phone[4][5].
What Workout Buddy Does
Workout Buddy provides personalized motivational voice feedback during workouts, including encouragement at the start, real-time pacing updates, and summaries after sessions. It uses AI to analyze your workout data, history, Activity Ring progress, and training load to tailor coaching[1][3][4]. The result is a more natural and energizing voice experience, sounding like a real gym coach rather than a robotic assistant[3].
By following these steps, you'll be able to turn on and customize Workout Buddy for a motivated and personalized fitness experience on your Apple Watch with watchOS 26.
If your devices or system software do not meet these requirements or if you use a language other than English, Workout Buddy will not be available[1][3].
Incorporating advanced technology into health-and-wellness, Workout Buddy uses AI to deliver personalized fitness coaching for various types of exercises such as running, walking, cycling, HIIT, strength training, hiking, and using fitness equipment like ellipticals and stair steppers. For an optimal user experience, connect Bluetooth headphones or AirPods to your Apple Watch, as Workout Buddy provides voice feedback during workouts. You can further customize voice coaching by choosing from multiple synthesized voices trained by Apple Fitness+ trainers, ensuring a more natural and motivating experience.
