Apple has published some new numbers around the Apple Watch, revealing why it might be a good idea to wear it when you want to reach your fitness goals. The Cupertino giant found that Apple Watch users are consistent in maintaining their exercise levels through Quitter"s Day and into the following months.
The claims are based on data analysis of over 100,000 people who participated in the Apple Heart and Movement Study and opted to share their activity data, wearing their Apple Watch consistently over multiple years.
The Apple Heart and Movement Study was in partnership with the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the American Heart Association. In total, the study involved over 250,000 participants across the US between November 2019 and February 2025. Apple started working with Brigham and Women’s Hospital on another health study, which began in February 2025.
Apple has shared a graph showing how the daily average number of exercise minutes grows from December through March across different years. It notes that many people give up on their New Year"s resolution around the second Friday in January, known as Quitter"s Day.
There is a decrease in average exercise minutes during the holiday period each year in November and December. Apple Watch users who were part of the study increased their exercise minutes in January and continued to do so through Spring.
According to the company, around 60% of participants increased their daily exercise minutes by 10% compared to their December average. Around 80% of participants maintained their increased exercise levels through the second half of January, and about 90% of that group kept them elevated through February and March.
Apple released a teaser about new Apple Fitness+ features coming in 2026. It has now announced four new multi-week programs for Fitness+ users, including Make Your Fitness Comeback, Build a Yoga Habit, Back-to-Back Strength and HIIT, and Strength Basics.
These programs will be available from January 5, featuring multiple sessions per week. In addition, Apple Fitness+ is also getting new workouts featuring singer and songwriter KAROL G.
For the Apple Watch, you can now earn a "Ring in the New Year" limited-edition award after closing all the rings for seven days in a row in January. The company has renewed its partnership with Strava for a new "Quit Quitting" challenge, where you"ll get an Apple Watch badge in the Strava app if you log 12 workouts anytime before January ends.