As Apple kicks off 2026 with fresh motivation for anyone trying to maintain their New Year’s fitness resolutions, new research from the Apple Heart and Movement Study reveals Apple Watch wearers tend to buck the trend of abandoned fitness goals, the iPhone giant said Friday.
Data shows Apple Watch users consistently maintain elevated exercise levels well past the notorious “Quitter’s Day” in mid-January. And Apple now offers more ways to keep you motivated, too. All the more reason not to give up too soon.
Why Apple Watch users stick with fitness goals longer than most
Photo: Apple
The study analyzed data from approximately 100,000 Apple Watch users over four years. It found that more than 60% of users increased their daily exercise minutes by over 10% during the first two weeks of January compared to December averages, Apple said. And what’s more impressive: Nearly 80% of those who ramped up their activity maintained those levels through the second half of January, and 90% of that group kept going through February and March.
And the reason why seems to be a mix of good features and motivating programs — like the new ones below.
New Fitness+ programs launch to support your goals
Photo: Apple
Starting January 5, Apple Fitness+ is rolling out four new workout programs designed to help users build momentum and stay consistent. The programs include:
- Make Your Fitness Comeback offers a four-week plan with three 10-minute workouts per week, featuring Strength, HIIT, and Yoga sessions that progressively build each week.
- Build a Yoga Habit in 4 Weeks provides two 10-minute flows per week—one slow-paced and one energetic—to help users increase flexibility, reduce stress, and build strength.
- Back-to-Back Strength and HIIT delivers three 20-minute combined workouts per week over three weeks, pairing 10 minutes of each workout type back-to-back.
- Strength Basics in 3 Weeks launches January 12 for those new to strength training or returning to it, with three workouts per week focusing on different body areas to build confidence and proper technique.
Artist Spotlight adds KAROL G and Bad Bunny
Photo: Apple
The Fitness+ Artist Spotlight series is adding new workouts featuring Grammy Award-winning artist KAROL G. On February 2, the service will introduce new Bad Bunny workouts celebrating his Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show performance.
The Time to Walk series is also expanding with new episodes featuring actor and producer Penn Badgley, Spice Girls member and TV personality Mel B and actor Michelle Monaghan.
Limited-edition challenges to keep you moving
Photo: Apple
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.
For the first time, Strava users with an Apple Watch can participate in a “Quit Quitting” challenge throughout January. Users who log 12 workouts during the month will earn an Apple Watch badge in the Strava app.
Pricing and availability
Apple Fitness+ is available for $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year and can be shared with up to five family members. It’s also included in the Apple One Premier plan. New subscribers get three months free when purchasing a new Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, AirPods Pro 3, or Powerbeats Pro 2.
Strava subscribers can receive up to three months of Fitness+ at no cost, and Wellhub users can access the service for free. Anytime Fitness memberships also include Fitness+ access.
Apple Fitness+ is now available in 48 countries and regions worldwide, with workouts available in 4K Ultra High Definition. When paired with Apple Watch or AirPods Pro 3, users see real-time metrics including heart rate and calories burned displayed onscreen during workouts.
David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
