Apple Teases Major Fitness+ Updates for 2026

Apple has officially teased "big" updates coming to its Apple Fitness+ service in 2026. The announcement came via a social media video that featured the platform's trainers posing with newspapers, suggesting major changes are on the horizon. The company indicated that these updates could potentially arrive as early as January.

The video, posted on Instagram, included the caption: "Word on the street is that Apple Fitness+ has big plans for 2026... stay tuned!" This soft launch of information confirms that the tech giant is planning significant developments for its digital fitness platform. The service, which launched in 2020, recently expanded its reach significantly by adding 28 new markets in December.

While Apple has not provided specific details regarding what the 2026 updates will entail, the announcement has generated considerable interest among users. The platform currently competes with other digital fitness offerings, such as Peloton, and serves as a key component of Apple's growing Services division, which reported record revenue in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025.

The announcement was made directly through the official Apple Fitness+ Instagram account. The post featured three prominent trainers from the service: Bakari Williams, Molly Fox, and Dice Iida-Klein. The visual concept involved the trainers holding newspapers with headlines that strongly suggested major changes were coming to the platform.

The specific caption included in the post was direct and promotional: "Word on the street is that Apple Fitness+ has big plans for 2026... stay tuned!" This messaging aligns with Apple's typical marketing strategy of building anticipation without revealing concrete details. The video format of the post allowed for a dynamic presentation of the teaser.

Although the post did not specify exactly what the "big plans" are, the involvement of multiple high-profile trainers suggests that the updates may involve new class types, instructor additions, or changes to the content library. The timing of the teaser, posted on Wednesday, indicates that Apple is beginning its promotional cycle for the upcoming year.

Apple Fitness+ is a subscription-based digital fitness platform available to Apple users. It offers a comprehensive library of instructor-led classes, on-demand workout videos, and integrated health and fitness metrics. The service is designed to work seamlessly with Apple Watch, allowing users to track their progress and metrics during workouts.

The platform has seen significant growth since its initial launch in 2020. Most recently, Apple expanded the service into 28 new markets in December, significantly increasing its global footprint. This expansion demonstrates Apple's commitment to growing the service's user base internationally.

Regarding pricing and availability:

• Monthly subscription: $9.99 in the US
• Annual subscription: $79.99 in the US
• Availability: Included in Apple user subscriptions

Financially, the service contributes to Apple's broader Services division. While the company does not publicly report specific subscriber numbers for Fitness+, the Services division as a whole achieved an all-time high revenue during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025.

Following the teaser post, Instagram users began speculating about what specific changes Apple might introduce. The comments section revealed a mix of desires for both major overhauls and minor quality-of-life improvements to the user experience.

Some of the specific requests and speculations mentioned by users included:

• Reducing the volume of music in workout videos to better hear instructor cues
• Adding the ability to skip forward and backward within workout videos
• Requesting more diverse programs and class selections to choose from

These user comments highlight the community's engagement with the platform and their specific pain points. While Apple has not confirmed any of these features, the feedback provides insight into what the existing user base values. The company has also teased other major product reveals for 2026, including a significant upgrade to its virtual assistant, Siri.

Apple Fitness+ operates in a competitive digital fitness landscape. It directly competes with similar offerings from companies like Peloton, which has long been a dominant player in the connected fitness space. Apple's entry into the market in 2020 brought a new level of integration with existing hardware and software ecosystems.

The timing of these updates is strategic. As the fitness industry moves into a new year, many users are looking to reset their routines. By teasing updates early, Apple aims to retain current subscribers and attract new ones who may be comparing different fitness platforms.

Despite the lack of specific details regarding the 2026 updates, the announcement serves as a clear signal that Apple remains committed to the fitness category. The company's ability to leverage its massive hardware install base gives it a unique advantage in acquiring Fitness+ subscribers compared to standalone competitors.