iOS 27 is expanding Apple Watch's GymKit feature to the iPhone and AirPods Pro 3, allowing users to track gym workouts without a watch. Previously, GymKit, launched in 2017, enabled Apple Watch users to tap their watch to compatible gym equipment, sharing heart rate data while receiving metrics like distance and calories from the machine.

Testing with a GymKit-compatible treadmill demonstrated a seamless experience. The iPhone connected to the treadmill, initiating the workout and receiving machine metrics, while AirPods Pro 3 provided heart-rate data. This integration effectively replicates the Apple Watch GymKit experience, with workout data stored privately on the iPhone. This advancement offers a practical solution for users whose Apple Watch is dead, charging, or left at home, while also potentially attracting new customers to the Apple Watch ecosystem.

While Apple Watch remains the gold standard for treadmill tracking accuracy, GymKit on iPhone with AirPods Pro 3 provides a robust alternative. This update further integrates fitness tracking into the iPhone and AirPods, building on previous updates that made the Fitness app more accessible without an Apple Watch and introduced heart-rate tracking to AirPods Pro 3. The feature ensures accurate data logging, making Apple's Fitness strategy more comprehensive.