Apple Watch Introducing New Tai Chi and Pilates Workout Types in watchOS 8 - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Watch Introducing New Tai Chi and Pilates Workout Types in watchOS 8

Apple today announced a few workout-related features coming to watchOS 8 and Apple Fitness+.

watchos 8 fitness
Starting with watchOS 8, users will be able to track Tai Chi and Pilates workout styles on their Apple Watch. Apple said that the new workouts are supported by powerful custom-built heart rate and motion algorithms to provide users with accurate metrics.

Apple Fitness+ is also gaining a few features in watchOS 8, including Picture in Picture support and new filtering options, as well as the ability to stop and resume an in-progress workout on any device.

Coming to Apple Fitness+ later this month, Apple also revealed that there will be a new workout series with trainer Jeanette Jenkins. Additionally, there's also an "artist spotlight" series of workouts that highlight songs from specific artists, like Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys, and Keith Urban.

Related Roundup: WWDC 2026

Popular Stories

WWDC26 Glowing Ring Feature

Apple Sending WWDC 2026 Invites to Special Event Lottery Winners

Thursday April 2, 2026 2:03 pm PDT by
Students and developers who won the lottery to attend the WWDC 2026 Special Event at Apple Park on June 8 have started receiving their invites. Apple is holding a WWDC keynote viewing at Apple Park, but space is limited so invites were done on a lottery basis. Apple accepted submissions from those interested in attending until Monday night, and winners are now being notified. Developers...
unofficial wwdc pins 2

Apple Fan Creates Unofficial WWDC 2026 and 50th Anniversary Enamel Pins

Thursday April 2, 2026 1:57 pm PDT by
App developer Clément Sauvage has designed a set of enamel pins for Apple fans who want to commemorate WWDC 2026 and Apple's 50th anniversary. Sauvage is offering the pins on Kickstarter, and plans to start shipments in May ahead of WWDC. The pins feature the Apple developer logo, the Apple Intelligence icon, Apple's "spaceship" and rainbow at the Apple Park campus, the entrance to Apple's...
Swift Student Challenge 2026

2026 Swift Student Challenge: Three Apps Created by Young Developers

Thursday April 9, 2026 7:59 am PDT by
In late March, Apple notified the winners of the 2026 Swift Student Challenge, who each received a complimentary one-year Apple Developer Program membership, AirPods Max 2, and a special certificate. A smaller group of Distinguished Winners were also invited to a three-day experience at Apple Park during WWDC 2026 in June. The annual Swift Student Challenge gives eligible student developers...

Top Rated Comments

cecil444 Avatar
64 months ago
I'm confused what this means exactly; Pilates and Tai Chi were already available as workouts in watchOS. Though to be honest I've tried these (and several other types) before and they are not at all accurate in their measurements...for example, a Tai Chi workout records burning many more calories than it should for a practice that mainly involves standing in place, breathing normally, and making slow movements. So does this announcement just mean they are going to finally make these workouts measure more accurately? Or are they going to be brought to Fitness+?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
64 months ago
Still no sex workout
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ErikGrim Avatar
64 months ago
Pilates has been on the Watch since forever. I am looking at it right now...?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Franklin Klein Avatar
64 months ago
I got excited for a second...thought Pilates was coming to fitness+ ☹️
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
64 months ago

I'm confused what this means exactly; Pilates and Tai Chi were already available as workouts in watchOS. Though to be honest I've tried these (and several other types) before and they are not at all accurate in their measurements...for example, a Tai Chi workout records burning many more calories than it should for a practice that mainly involves standing in place, breathing normally, and making slow movements. So does this announcement just mean they are going to finally make these workouts measure more accurately? Or are they going to be brought to Fitness+?
They did the same with Dance, Traditional Strength, Core, and Cooldown workouts last year. Undoubtedly they will add these workouts to Fitness+ in the Fall - otherwise, what would the point be? But yes, seems like for now these workouts will now measure more accurately
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
64 months ago
Wish they would add an outdoor paddling workout so I can track my kayaking
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)