One of the smaller fitness-related announcements at WWDC 2026 could make GymKit useful to a much larger group of Apple users.
With iOS 27, Apple is expanding GymKit support beyond the Apple Watch. Compatible iPhones and AirPods Pro 3 can now connect directly to supported cardio equipment, including treadmills, stationary bikes, ellipticals, and stair climbers.
Until now, an Apple Watch was required to use GymKit. Introduced in 2017, the feature allows Apple devices to exchange workout data with compatible fitness machines.
It automatically synchronizes metrics like distance, pace, calories burned, and heart rate between the equipment and Apple’s fitness platform.
The change means users no longer need to own an Apple Watch to take advantage of those integrations.
For AirPods Pro 3 owners, the update is particularly notable because the earbuds can collect heart rate data during workouts.
When connected to a compatible machine, that information can be incorporated into workout tracking without requiring a separate wearable.
The feature’s usefulness will still depend on where you work out. While GymKit has been available for years, support remains limited to equipment from participating manufacturers.
Compatible machines are common in some hotels, health clubs, and commercial fitness facilities, but they are far from universal.
That’s why the expansion may be more important in the long term than immediately. Apple has removed the Apple Watch requirement, making GymKit accessible to a broader range of users.
Whether equipment makers respond by bringing support to more machines remains to be seen. For now, anyone running iOS 27 with a compatible iPhone or AirPods Pro 3 will be able to connect to a GymKit-enabled machine whenever they encounter one, without needing an Apple Watch for the first time.
