Apple Fitness+ Kicks Off 2026: New “Comeback” Plans, Bad Bunny, and Strava Challenges
The New Year resolution slump is real—so real, in fact, that the second Friday of January is famously dubbed "Quitter's Day."
To help you beat the odds, Apple just announced a massive update to Apple Fitness+ for 2026, dropping a suite of new programs, celebrity guests, and challenges designed to keep you moving past January. Whether you are returning after a long break or looking to spice up your routine with some reggaeton, here is everything landing on the service starting Monday, January 5, 2026.
1. The "Fitness Comeback" Programs
If you’ve taken a hiatus from working out, jumping back into a 45-minute HIIT session can be intimidating. Apple’s solution? A new collection of curated, multi-week programs designed to ease you back in.
Make Your Fitness Comeback: A 4-week plan featuring a mix of Strength, HIIT, and Yoga. The sessions are short (~10 minutes), making them easy to squeeze into a busy schedule without burning out.
Build a Yoga Habit: A 4-week guide to help you find your flow, perfect for beginners or those looking to improve flexibility.
Back-to-Back Strength and HIIT: A 3-week advanced program that stacks Strength and Cardio into 20-minute power sessions.
Strength Basics (Coming Jan 12): A 3-week intro course for those new to weight training or returning to the fundamentals.
2. Artist Spotlights: Karol G & Bad Bunny
Music is half the battle when it comes to motivation, and this year’s lineup is heavy on Latin rhythm.
Karol G (Available Jan 5): The Grammy-winning superstar headlines the first update of the year. Expect high-energy Cycling, Dance, and HIIT workouts set to her biggest hits.
Bad Bunny (Available Feb 2): Just in time for his Super Bowl LX Halftime Show, Bad Bunny takes over the spotlight in February.
3. Time to Walk: Penn Badgley & Mel B
The audio-only walking experience for Apple Watch returns with a new season of celebrity storytellers.
Penn Badgley: The You and Gossip Girl star kicks things off on January 19.
Coming Soon: Later in the season, you’ll hear from Spice Girl Mel B and actress Michelle Monaghan.
4. The "Quit Quitting" Strava Challenge
For the first time, Apple is partnering directly with Strava for a "Quit Quitting" challenge.
The Goal: Log 12 workouts (of any type) in the Strava app during January.
The Reward: Complete the challenge to earn an exclusive digital badge.
Bonus: Strava users can redeem a free 3-month trial of Apple Fitness+ to help them hit that goal.
5. Ring in the New Year Award
The classic Apple Watch challenge is back. Close all three of your Activity rings for seven days in a row at any point in January to earn the limited-edition 2026 "Ring in the New Year" award and iMessage stickers.
Summary Table: What to Watch For
| Feature | Release Date | Details |
| New Programs | Jan 5 | "Make Your Fitness Comeback", Yoga Habit, HIIT/Strength Stacks |
| Karol G Spotlight | Jan 5 | Workouts featuring her top hits |
| Bad Bunny Spotlight | Feb 2 | Pre-Super Bowl LX hype |
| Time to Walk | Jan 19 | Penn Badgley (followed by Mel B & Michelle Monaghan) |
| Strava Challenge | All Jan | Log 12 workouts to win the "Quit Quitting" badge |
