iOS 27 Expands GymKit: Your iPhone and AirPods Become Workout Companions

Since its introduction in 2017, GymKit has transformed workout tracking for Apple Watch users, allowing heart rate data to be shared with gym equipment while receiving key metrics like distance and calories in return. With the launch of iOS 27, Apple is extending this functionality to iPhone users, enabling a similar experience without the need for an Apple Watch.

My experience with the new GymKit feature on iPhone, when paired with AirPods Pro 3 and a compatible treadmill, confirmed that you can effectively track workouts without wearing the watch. This extension opens doors for a wider audience that may not own an Apple Watch but still seeks detailed fitness metrics.

GymKit Works Without an Apple Watch

Setup is straightforward. By simply tapping your iPhone to the treadmill, you can initiate a workout session. The choice to pick between Indoor Walk and Indoor Run leads to easy tracking. With GymKit, workout information is kept on your iPhone, ensuring your data is private and not stored on the gym's machines.

Once engaged, the treadmill gathers heart rate data from the AirPods Pro 3, while the Fitness app on iPhone displays data from the treadmill, including distance, pace, incline, and calories. This functionality taps into treadmill-specific metrics that an iPhone alone can't capture, particularly regarding incline and the distance of the running surface.

While the Apple Watch remains the more precise device for treadmill workout tracking, GymKit on iPhone delivers credible results. It's effective in eliminating some common gym inconveniences, such as the need to grip the metal heart-rate contacts or wear an uncomfortable Bluetooth heart-rate strap.

iPhone and AirPods: A Fitness Solution in Your Pocket

Over recent iterations, Apple has been progressively incorporating fitness features into the iPhone ecosystem. With the launch of the Fitness app that works independently of the Apple Watch and AirPods Pro 3 serving as the first earbuds with integrated heart-rate monitoring, the groundwork has been laid for a more inclusive fitness tracking experience.

iOS 27 thus blends these elements seamlessly. This new capability doesn’t aim to replace the Apple Watch; instead, it acts as a backup solution when your watch is charging, out of battery, or simply left at home. It enables iPhone and AirPods users to experience features akin to those on the Apple Watch, potentially luring them towards Apple's portable wearables in the future.

In testing the iOS 27 beta, I observed that my Exercise ring didn’t update during workouts without the Apple Watch. However, upon reconnecting with the watch, everything syncs up, ensuring that my workout data is preserved accurately within the Fitness app.

During a sample 16-minute treadmill session, I recorded a distance of 0.66 miles, burned 65 active calories, and managed a steady heart rate of 115 BPM, showcasing how effective this combination can be in capturing workout data. However, if I attempted to utilize GymKit without AirPods, the connection dropped due to the absence of a heart-rate source.

Managing heart-rate permissions for AirPods can be done in the settings, an essential step for proper integration. Initially, I had disabled this feature for battery conservation, but subsequent testing reinforced the importance of re-enabling it to fully leverage the tracking capabilities. Moreover, AirPods Pro 3 can sync with Apple Watch to provide top-notch heart-rate data as well.

A Smart Addition to Apple's Fitness Strategy

The introduction of GymKit for iPhone is a subtle enhancement that addresses a real user need. While die-hard Apple Watch users will likely maintain their primary reliance on it for workout tracking, this feature accommodates those who may find themselves without their watch at critical moments.

So, whether your Apple Watch runs out of battery or if you simply forget to wear it, having your iPhone and AirPods Pro 3 integrated means you can still efficiently log your treadmill workouts. This development enhances Apple's fitness ecosystem and creates a smarter, more cohesive approach to health tracking across its devices.