Fitness trackers – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Fitness tech has evolved beyond activity trackers like the Apple Watch and Fitbit. Today, there are hundreds of streaming workout and wellness apps from brands like Nike, Equinox, and ClassPass to help track your exercises and reach your fitness goals There’s also been a boom in connected fitness equipment like Peloton, Mirror, and Tonal that are paving the way for on-demand workouts from the comfort of your home, with additional content like meditation, yoga, and mobility training to boost mind and body health.

Jess Weatherbed
Jess Weatherbed
Google has closed the retired Fitbit app workaround.

Users who sideloaded outdated builds of the Fitbit app to avoid being forced to switch to Google Health have found it no longer works. Android Authority reports that a new prompt is appearing for some users that can’t be bypassed without updating the Fitbit app, which forces moving to Google Health anyway.

A fitbit app update prompt.
“Recommended” here meaning that you can’t dismiss this notification until you update, making older versions of the Fitbit app unusable.
Image: Guilty-Implement-261
The new Fitbit Edge leaksThe new Fitbit Edge leaks
Terrence O'Brien
Peloton is back with a ‘cheaper’ folding treadmill

Plus two other refreshed treadmills and a host of AI running features.

Victoria Song
The Apple Watch Series 12 is the start of a new wearable era

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Verge Score

A surprisingly consequential update for the world’s most popular smartwatch.

Victoria Song
Stevie Bonifield
Stevie Bonifield
Google might be making a wearOS version of the Fitbit Charge.

9to5Google spotted this FCC entry for the Goertek-made SZGG8BL6, which lines up with other Google devices. Like the Fitbit Charge, it has Bluetooth and GNSS, but lacks Wi-Fi, while its e-label suggests it has a screen and could run wearOS similar to a mysterious wearable spotted in Google ads.

Terrence O'Brien
Terrence O'Brien
What’s on your running playlist?

I recently started running again. And, as I started building back to my first half marathon in almost a decade, I realized — my running playlist is hopelessly out of date. Nothing on there is newer than 2018, so tell me what keeps you motivated to power through the pain.

Google’s Pixel Watch 5 is promising — but it isn’t finished

8

Verge Score

Think of this as part one of the Pixel Watch 5 review as most of the new features aren’t out yet. That said, GPS rocks.

Victoria Song
Stevie Bonifield
Stevie Bonifield
Peloton’s releasing new hardware next year, but it won’t be wearables.

In an earnings call on Thursday, CEO Peter Stern said in fall 2027, “we will introduce the first products in new categories.” Peloton also plans to integrate as many third-party wearables as possible into its AI platform with data flowing back and forth, instead of launching its own watch or ring.

Stevie Bonifield
Stevie Bonifield
Peloton turns its first net profit even as it keeps losing subscribers.

CEO Peter Stern said in the company’s latest earnings report that “Peloton delivered its first full year of net profitability” in 2026, after launching a new hardware lineup that initially had “weaker-than-expected” sales. At the same time, Peloton lost 247,000 subscribers year-over-year.

What I track in a day

Living an optimized, self-quantified life can get a little out of hand.

Victoria Song
Siri AI makes the Apple Watch finally feel like a wrist computer

watchOS 27 feels like a culmination of several years of smaller updates.

Victoria Song
Less is more with the Oura Ring 5

8

Verge Score

This is a smart ring for new users. Everyone else should wait until their current ring dies.

Victoria Song
Sometimes, health tracking accuracy is overrated

I measured my body composition on five devices. I still don’t know what my exact body fat percentage is.

Victoria Song
The Fitbit Air takes a smarter approach to the AI health dumpster fire

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Verge Score

Google Health remains a work in progress, but it could be so much worse.

Victoria Song
Victoria Song
Victoria Song
My mayor’s Muslim, my bagel’s Jewish, my heart rate’s fried, KNICKS IN FIVE!

Oura says New Yorkers’ hearts were palpitating on Wednesday night during Game 4. Turns out, baseline heart rates increased by 3.7 beats on average at the final buzzer. Heart rates were also elevated for the entirety of the game, and nobody seemed to get a peaceful night of sleep. Guessing we’re in for more of the same on Saturday.

What would you be willing to put in your body?

Biohackers say drugs can help you be your best self. It’s hard to spot when they’re not telling the whole truth.

Victoria Song
Victoria Song
Victoria Song
So, would you dope for $10 million?

Well, I was too busy putting the finishing touches on my feature about the Enhanced Games to notice that the company is now offering a $10 million prize for sprinters who can break Usain Bolt’s 100m record of 9.58 seconds at the Enhanced Games 2027. Oh boy. Here we go.

What’s the role of a simple fitness band in the AI health era?

It’s the end of Fitbit as we knew it.

Victoria Song
Stevie Bonifield
Stevie Bonifield
Google teases “Fitbit Air” launch Thursday.

As spotted by 9to5Google, Fitbit posted a few teaser photos on Tuesday with the caption “Buckle up. 5.7.26.” The images don’t give away much, but the zoomed-in shots of a fabric band and metal buckle match earlier glimpses of the rumored screen-free “Fitbit Air.”

Three combined Instagram posts teasing the “Fitbit Air”
Image: Fitbit
Here are the fitness trackers I actually recommend

It’s less about which gadget. It’s better to be honest about what slots best into your life right now.

Victoria Song
Victoria Song
Victoria Song
Oura’s the official wearable of US soccer.

Unsurprising, given Oura’s discreet form-factor and its long-term relationships with several professional sports organizations. You likely won’t see it on the pitch during this year’s World Cup (FIFA is a no-go for wearables during play). That said, it is another example of how professional athletes are integrating wearables into their training.

Wearable health tech might be Tim Cook’s greatest legacy 

Cook once said Apple’s greatest contribution to mankind would be ‘about health.’ If true, he’ll get much of the credit.

Victoria Song
Peloton, stay in your lane

Multiple CEOs have insisted it’s not ‘just a fitness tech company,’ but maybe it should be.

Victoria Song
Why your Whoop might tell you to up your testosterone

Whoop and Oura are health tech trendsetters. But hurtling toward innovation can have some unintended ripple effects.

Victoria Song
Continuous glucose monitoring made me continuously crazy

MAHA is obsessed with these wearables — for all the wrong reasons.

Victoria Song
Victoria Song
Victoria Song
Whoop gives a whoop about what now?

After scoring $575 million in funding earlier this week, Whoop is suing Bevel — a startup that has marketed itself as “Whoop, but for the Apple Watch.” The complaint centers on whether Bevel copied Whoop’s app, a claim the former denies. Can’t lie… I feel like I’ve seen 10,000 versions of this app design over the last decade.

Andrew Liszewski
Andrew Liszewski
Polar’s new durable Street X is one of its most affordable smartwatches.

The Polar Grit X2 Pro smartwatch that debuted in 2024 is now $999.99, but the company’s new Street X has launched at $249.99. It features a 1.28-inch AMOLED touchscreen, built-in GPS with a compass and barometer, a skin temperature sensor, fitness tracking for over 170 sports and activities, and up to 10 days of battery life.

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