Apple announced four new Apple Fitness+ workout programs and released research showing Apple Watch users maintain exercise levels well past “Quitter’s Day” the second Friday of January when most people abandon fitness resolutions. The tech giant is rolling out Artist Spotlight workouts featuring KAROL G and Bad Bunny, plus a first-ever Strava challenge for Apple Watch users starting January 2026.
What’s New
Apple Fitness+ introduces four multiweek training programs launching January 5, 2026, designed to eliminate workout planning guesswork. The lineup includes Make Your Fitness Comeback (10-minute Strength, HIIT, and Yoga sessions), Build a Yoga Habit in 4 Weeks (two 10-minute flows weekly), Back-to-Back Strength and HIIT (20-minute combined workouts), and Strength Basics in 3 Weeks starting January 12.
New Artist Spotlight workouts feature Grammy-winning KAROL G, with Bad Bunny workouts dropping February 2 to celebrate the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show. Time to Walk adds episodes with Penn Badgley, Mel B, and Michelle Monaghan throughout 2026.
Apple Watch users can earn the Ring in the New Year limited-edition award by closing all three Activity rings for seven consecutive days in January. The platform debuts its first Strava integration: a “Quit Quitting” challenge requiring 12 workouts in January to earn an Apple Watch badge in the Strava app.
Research Shows Apple Watch Users Stay Consistent
Analysis of approximately 100,000 participants in the Apple Heart and Movement Study over four years reveals Apple Watch users consistently maintain exercise levels through Quitter’s Day and beyond. Conducted with Brigham and Women’s Hospital, the American Heart Association, and Apple, the study included over 250,000 U.S. participants.
During the first two weeks of January, over 60 percent of Apple Watch users increased daily exercise minutes by more than 10 percent from their December average. Nearly 80 percent of those who increased exercise maintained elevated levels through late January, with 90 percent of that group sustaining higher activity through February and March.
Average daily exercise minutes not only jumped in January after holiday declines but continued progressing into spring months. The data included participants who consistently wore Apple Watch over multiple years and elected to share Activity data.
Why It Matters
The research directly contradicts conventional wisdom that fitness resolutions fail by mid-January, demonstrating wearable technology’s role in behavior change. For Apple, the data validates its Activity rings gamification strategy and positions Apple Watch as essential fitness infrastructure rather than optional tracking hardware.
The Strava partnership marks Apple’s first direct integration with a major third-party fitness platform for challenges, expanding beyond its closed ecosystem. Strava subscribers also receive up to three months of Fitness+ at no cost, potentially driving cross-platform adoption.
Program Details and Availability
| Program | Duration | Workouts/Week | Length | Launch Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Make Your Fitness Comeback | 4 weeks | 3 (Strength, HIIT, Yoga) | 10 min each | Jan 5 |
| Build a Yoga Habit | 4 weeks | 2 flows (slow + energetic) | 10 min each | Jan 5 |
| Back-to-Back Strength/HIIT | 3 weeks | 3 combined sessions | 20 min total | Jan 5 |
| Strength Basics | 3 weeks | 3 body-area workouts | Varies | Jan 12 |
Apple Fitness+ is available in 48 countries for $9.99 monthly or $79.99 annually, shareable with up to five family members. New Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, AirPods Pro 3, or Powerbeats Pro 2 buyers get three months free.
What’s Next
Apple Watch Series 11 ($399), Apple Watch SE 3 ($249), and Apple Watch Ultra 3 ($799) all support the new programs and challenges with iPhone 11 or later running iOS 26. Fitness+ requires iPhone 8 or later with iOS 16.1, or Apple Watch Series 3 or later.
The Bad Bunny Artist Spotlight series arrives February 2, timed to the Super Bowl LX Halftime Show. Additional Time to Walk episodes with Michelle Monaghan will follow later in 2026. Apple has not announced whether the Strava challenge format will extend beyond January or become a recurring feature.
Featured Snippet Boxes
What is the Apple Watch Ring in the New Year award?
A limited-edition award earned by closing all three Activity rings (Move, Exercise, Stand) for seven consecutive days during January 2026. The badge appears in the Apple Watch Activity app and can be shared with friends.
How does the Apple Watch Strava challenge work?
Strava users with Apple Watch join the “Quit Quitting” challenge in the Strava app throughout January. Complete 12 workouts of any type during the month to earn an exclusive Apple Watch badge in Strava. This is Apple’s first direct challenge integration with Strava.
Do the new Fitness+ programs work without Apple Watch?
Yes, Fitness+ is accessible on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV without Apple Watch. However, with Apple Watch or AirPods Pro 3, real-time heart rate and calorie metrics display onscreen during workouts for enhanced motivation.
What did the Apple Heart and Movement Study find about fitness resolutions?
Over 60 percent of Apple Watch users increased daily exercise by 10+ percent in early January, with nearly 80 percent maintaining those levels through late January. Of that group, 90 percent sustained elevated activity through February and March, contradicting the “Quitter’s Day” phenomenon.
