If you, like nearly everyone else, have set a fitness goal for the new year, welcome to the club. Following through with that goal, however, is a different set of challenges. Armed with my Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Fitness+’s new set of workout programs, you and I might just have a winning combo to stay fit throughout 2026.
After all, the data checks out: Apple just released a new analysis of data from their Heart and Movement Study, which identified that participants with Apple Watch consistently increase their exercise levels in January and maintain them well into the new year. The study of approximately 100,000 participants over four years reveals that over 60% of Apple Watch users boost their daily exercise minutes by more than 10% in early January, with nearly 80% maintaining these levels past “Quitter’s Day” (allegedly the second Friday in January).
But data alone doesn’t negate the fact that it is difficult to stay consistent with your workouts. What we need is a driving force to keep us going, and if we don’t have that, four new workout programs from Apple Fitness+ might just help us. Designed to help users build consistent fitness habits, the Make Your Fitness Comeback program offers a four-week plan with three 10-minute workouts weekly that include Strength, HIIT, and Yoga. Every week’s workout will build on the previous week’s to help users progress in their journey to return to fitness.
Additionally, Strava users with an Apple Watch can participate in the Quit Quitting challenge throughout January, earning a badge after completing 12 workouts. Other programs include Build a Yoga Habit in 4 Weeks for flexibility and stress reduction, Back-to-Back Strength and HIIT featuring paired 20-minute sessions, and Strength Basics in 3 Weeks, all launching on January 12th for beginners and returning participants.
But if that’s still too much effort on your part, you can simply just…walk. Apple Fitness+’s award-winning Time to Walk series—where guests share their stories in a podcast-like format— brings new episodes starting with actor Penn Badgley, Spice Girls member Mel B, and actress Michelle Monaghan later this year. When all else fails, walking is the one true basic exercise that will help not just your activity levels, but also your mental health.
Whatever your fitness level, staying active is key to a better life. Remember, it’s not about the years you have in your life, but the life in your years.
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