Apple is starting the year with a familiar message: don’t quit now.
As fitness resolutions face their toughest test in January, the company is rolling out new Apple Fitness+ programs, music-led workouts, and motivational challenges designed to help users stay active well beyond the first few weeks of 2026.
Beginning Jan. 5, Apple Fitness+ is introducing four new multi-week workout programs aimed at helping users restart, build habits, or sharpen their routines.
The new programs include:
- Make your fitness comeback, a four-week plan with short Strength, HIIT, and Yoga sessions for people returning to exercise
- Build a Yoga habit in four weeks, designed to help users ease yoga into their weekly routine
- Back-to-back strength and HIIT, a three-week program combining strength and cardio in continuous sessions
- Strength basics in three weeks, launching Jan. 12 for users new to strength training or returning after time off
Each program follows a structured weekly plan, removing the need for users to decide what workout to do next, a feature Apple says is meant to support consistency early in the year.
Apple Watch data shows users stick with it
Apple says new research from the Apple Heart and Movement Study suggests Apple Watch users are more likely to maintain their exercise routines into the new year.
According to the analysis shared by the company, participants wearing Apple Watch increased their average daily exercise minutes in January. They maintained those levels past “Quitter’s Day,” the second Friday of the month, when many people abandon New Year’s resolutions.
The study analyzed data from about 100,000 participants over four years, with contributors voluntarily sharing Activity data while consistently wearing their Apple Watch.
To add extra motivation, Apple Watch users can earn a “Ring in the New Year” limited-edition award by closing all three Activity rings for seven consecutive days in January. Apple is also partnering with Strava on a special “Quit Quitting” challenge. Apple Watch users who log 12 workouts on Strava during January will earn an Apple Watch badge inside the Strava app.
Artist spotlight workouts and new ‘Time to Walk’ guests
Apple Fitness+ is also expanding its music and walking content this winter. Starting Jan. 5, the Artist Spotlight series adds new workouts set to music from Grammy Award-winning artist KAROL G. On Feb. 2, Apple will release additional workouts featuring Bad Bunny, timed around the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show.
Meanwhile, the next season of Time to Walk begins Jan. 19. New episodes will feature actor and producer Penn Badgley, followed later in the year by Mel B and Michelle Monaghan, according to Apple.
Pricing and availability
Apple Fitness+ is available on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV, with enhanced features for users wearing Apple Watch or AirPods Pro 3. During workouts, users can see real-time metrics such as heart rate, calories burned, and Activity ring progress on screen.
The service also offers custom plans, allowing users to build schedules based on workout days, preferred activities, durations, trainers, and music.
Apple Fitness+ costs $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year in the US. New subscribers may be eligible for a free trial with the purchase of select Apple devices. Apple Watch Series 11 starts at $399, Apple Watch SE 3 at $249, and Apple Watch Ultra 3 at $799, according to Apple.
As 2026 gets underway, Apple is once again betting that structured routines, familiar faces, and gentle nudges from Apple Watch can help users keep moving long after January motivation fades.
Check out how Apple’s latest vintage list update now puts the iPhone 11 Pro and Apple Watch Series 5 one step closer to limited repair support and retirement.
