Apple's new Workout Buddy feature for iOS 26 and watchOS 26 provides spoken feedback during exercises. It uses Apple Intelligence to analyze metrics like pace and heart rate, delivering real-time encouragement through Bluetooth headphones. The tool works with the Workout app on Apple Watch and is managed from the Fitness app on iPhone.

To enable it, you need a compatible iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or iPhone 16 model with on-device AI. Your Apple Watch must run watchOS 26, and language must be set to English. Bluetooth headphones are required, as audio won't play through the watch speaker. The feature supports running, walking, cycling, HIIT, and strength training.

Workout Buddy offers per-workout customization. You can toggle it on for specific activities in the Fitness app, choosing from voices trained on Apple Fitness+ trainers. During a session, it provides milestone alerts and a post-workout summary. If audio is missing, check headphone pairing; some users report better results pairing directly to the iPhone instead of the Watch.