iOS 27 Transforms iPhone and AirPods into Gym Partners with Enhanced Workout Tracking

GymKit Expands to iPhone and AirPods

Since its inception in 2017, GymKit has been one of the standout features of the Apple Watch, allowing users to tap their devices to compatible gym equipment for seamless workout integration. With the rollout of iOS 27, this feature is now accessible via iPhone and AirPods, enabling users to tap into the GymKit experience without needing the Apple Watch.

During my testing of this new setup at a gym equipped with a GymKit-compatible treadmill, the iPhone and AirPods Pro 3 (priced at $179, down from $249) effectively replicated the Apple Watch functionality. The convenience this brings cannot be understated, especially in various gym scenarios.

Effortless Setup and Workout Tracking

The activation process is straightforward: tapping the iPhone to the treadmill initiates the workout by selecting either Indoor Walk or Indoor Run from the treadmill's interface. Once linked, the workout details remain stored on the iPhone, providing an extra layer of privacy since they won't be stored on the gym equipment.

Once the session commenced, real-time metrics flowed seamlessly between devices. The treadmill collected heart rate data through the AirPods Pro 3 while transmitting essential workout stats such as distance, pace, incline, and calorie expenditure to the iPhone’s Fitness app. The treadmill’s ability to measure incline and precise distance adds a level of detail that neither the iPhone nor AirPods can independently achieve.

That said, for those heavily reliant on precise tracking, the Apple Watch remains superior with watchOS 27, but GymKit is still the most reliable source for workout data.

New Role for iPhone and AirPods

Apple's strategy has increasingly incorporated fitness capabilities into the iPhone, particularly evident with the Fitness app's enhancements that cater to users without an Apple Watch. The introduction of heart-rate tracking in the AirPods Pro 3 marked a pivotal shift in this direction, especially after the company explored heart-rate functionality in devices like the Powerbeats Pro 2.

iOS 27 consolidates these advancements, positioning the iPhone and AirPods as a practical alternative for those who occasionally forget their Apple Watch or find it drained. This addition could also serve as an entry point for potential Apple Watch buyers by exposing them to the Apple fitness ecosystem.

During testing, the Exercise ring on my Apple Watch remained stagnant without it on my wrist, but once I donned the watch again, the data from my workout synced accurately, reflecting the treadmill session's details.

Performance Metrics That Impress

In a test where I walked on the treadmill for 16 minutes, I recorded 0.66 miles, 65 active calories burned, a total of 97 calories, an elevation gain of 32 feet, and a heart rate averaging 115 BPM. These figures aligned perfectly with data one would expect while using an Apple Watch.

If I attempted to initiate the GymKit function via iPhone without the AirPods, the connection timed out due to the absence of a heart-rate source. Conversely, starting GymKit while wearing my Apple Watch rerouted me back to the Workout app on that device, although it’s possible to continue the workout independently of the watch.

Managing heart-rate permissions on the AirPods is crucial. This setting can be adjusted in the privacy options specific to AirPods under the iPhone settings. I had disabled it to save battery but found that re-enabling it significantly improved the experience. The AirPods Pro 3 can also work with the Apple Watch to optimize heart-rate tracking.

A Valuable Addition to Apple’s Fitness Ecosystem

The implementation of GymKit on iPhone with AirPods in iOS 27, while it may seem minor at first glance, addresses a tangible need for many users. For those primarily relying on the Apple Watch as their fitness tracker, it remains the go-to device. However, this new capability offers a fallback solution—should your Apple Watch die or be left behind at home, the combination of an iPhone and AirPods Pro 3 provides real heart-rate tracking and treadmill metrics.

It's a thoughtful enhancement, positioning Apple's fitness strategy as more cohesive, ensuring users can track their workouts effectively across devices.