iOS 27 basically turns your iPhone and AirPods into an Apple Watch at the gym
iOS 27 basically turns your iPhone and AirPods into an Apple Watch at the gym
Publish Date: 2026-06-15 14:54:00
Source Domain: 9to5mac.com
GymKit has been one of Apple Watch’s smartest fitness features since it launched in 2017. Tap your watch to compatible gym equipment, and Apple Watch shares your heart rate while the machine sends back metrics like distance, incline, pace, and calories.
With iOS 27, Apple is expanding that idea beyond Apple Watch. I tested the new GymKit on iPhone and AirPods Pro 3 ($179, reg. $249) experience with a GymKit-compatible treadmill. It basically gives you the Apple Watch GymKit workout tracking experience, just without the watch. This could be useful in a lot of scenarios.
GymKit, no Apple Watch required
The setup is simple. I tapped my iPhone to the treadmill, picked Indoor Walk (Indoor Run is also offered), and started the workout from the treadmill. With GymKit, workout data is stored privately on iPhone and removed from the equipment.
Once the workout started, the treadmill received heart-rate data from AirPods Pro 3. Meanwhile, the Fitness app on iPhone received the treadmill’s distance, pace, incline, and calorie data. Treadmills know details that an iPhone and AirPods can’t know on their own, especially incline and precise belt distance.
As a side note: Apple Watch has more accurate treadmill workout tracking as part of watchOS 27. GymKit remains the gold standard for accurate data, though.
GymKit also avoids two awkward gym habits. You don’t need to hold the treadmill’s metal heart-rate contacts while jogging. You also do not need to wear a Bluetooth heart-rate strap.
AirPods Pro 3 become the heart-rate source (and likely your podcast or music audio source as well). iPhone becomes the workout computer, which you can monitor during your workout. And the treadmill fills in the machine data while providing the surface for walking or running.
iPhone and AirPods have become more like an Apple Watch
Apple has been moving more fitness features onto iPhone for years. iOS first made the Fitness app useful…
