Code discoveries in the latest watchOS 27 pre-release builds indicate that Apple is preparing a major overhaul for strength workouts inside the native Workout app. Set to debut alongside the upcoming Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, the updated activity framework introduces granular tracking for individual sets, repetition counts, resistance load, equipment type, and rest intervals directly from the wrist.
For years, gym-goers tracking resistance training on an Apple Watch had to rely on separate third-party utilities like SmartGym or juggle manual notes between sets. The new watchOS 27 implementation fundamentally reorganizes resistance tracking: rather than treating lifting as a single uninterrupted cardio-style timeline, each workout session supports segmented intervals with distinct repetition targets, weight values, and unilateral body side tracking. Athletes can adjust weights on the fly and monitor rest timers between sets without touching their iPhone.
Preserved Benefit: Native strength tracking allows gym athletes to log detailed sets, weights, and reps seamlessly within the first-party Apple Health architecture without recurring third-party subscriptions.
Explicit Trade-Off: Manually confirming reps and adjusting resistance weights between heavy sets demands active on-screen touch interaction, which can interrupt rest focus compared to passive cardiovascular tracking.
Unlike traditional workout workflows that require setup on iOS, the overhauled strength framework is engineered to run completely untethered on watchOS. Completed sets immediately synchronize with Apple HealthKit, feeding cumulative volume and mechanical load into daily recovery and readiness algorithms. The system also tracks unilateral discrepancies, alerting users to lateral strength imbalances across compound lifts.
To see how your current Apple Watch handles advanced workout metrics, check our comprehensive sensor matrix or customize your training display with dedicated complications in our watch face gallery.