Apple GymKit expands via iOS 27 and BowFlex integration

Apple is expanding its GymKit ecosystem through upcoming software and hardware updates. With iOS 27, the company plans to allow fitness equipment to pair directly with iPhones via NFC. This shift would enable users to record training data without the mandatory use of an Apple Watch, positioning the iPhone as the central hub for workout tracking. Additionally, future hardware like AirPods Pro 3 and Powerbeats Pro 2 may include capabilities to measure heart rate directly from the ear.

In the consumer market, BowFlex has integrated Apple GymKit into its T6 treadmill. This move brings the technology, which was previously largely restricted to high-end professional gym equipment costing between $14,000 and $15,000, into the home fitness segment. The BowFlex T6 is priced at approximately $999, offering bidirectional data synchronization between the treadmill and the Apple Watch to exchange real-time information such as heart rate.