Apple Expands GymKit Fitness Feature to iPhone and AirPods Pro 3
Apple has expanded its GymKit fitness feature to iPhone and AirPods Pro 3, allowing users to track workouts without an Apple Watch. The feature, available in iOS 27, syncs heart rate data with compatible gym equipment and stores workout data privately on the iPhone.
Key points
- Apple has introduced Custom EQ, a feature that lets users set their own sound profile for AirPods, available on AirPods Pro 3, Pro 2, Max 2, and AirPods 4.
- GymKit, a fitness feature, has been expanded to support iPhone and AirPods Pro 3, allowing users to track workouts without an Apple Watch.
- GymKit syncs heart rate data with compatible gym equipment and stores workout data privately on the iPhone.
- The feature is available in iOS 27 and offers a seamless workout tracking experience, eliminating the need for a Bluetooth heart-rate strap or holding the treadmill's metal heart-rate contacts.
Apple has expanded its GymKit fitness feature to iPhone and AirPods Pro 3, allowing users to track workouts without an Apple Watch. The feature, available in iOS 27, syncs heart rate data with compatible gym equipment and stores workout data privately on the iPhone.
GymKit has been a popular feature on Apple Watch since its launch in 2017, allowing users to tap their watch to compatible gym equipment and share their heart rate while the machine sends back metrics like distance, incline, pace, and calories. With the expansion to iPhone and AirPods Pro 3, users can now enjoy a seamless workout tracking experience without the need for an Apple Watch.
The setup is simple: users tap their iPhone to the treadmill, pick their workout type, and start the workout from the treadmill. The treadmill receives heart-rate data from AirPods Pro 3, while the Fitness app on iPhone receives the treadmill's distance, pace, incline, and calorie data. This eliminates the need for a Bluetooth heart-rate strap or holding the treadmill's metal heart-rate contacts, making the workout experience more convenient and comfortable.
GymKit remains the gold standard for accurate data, and Apple Watch has more accurate treadmill workout tracking as part of watchOS 27. However, the expansion to iPhone and AirPods Pro 3 offers a convenient alternative for users who prefer not to wear an Apple Watch during workouts.
Sources
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