For years, Google’s wearables have been fine—if you mostly run or cycle. But for the growing number of people hitting the gym instead of the pavement, the Pixel Watch has largely been an afterthought. That might be about to change.
Strength Training, Finally?
According to a new report from Android Headlines, the upcoming Pixel Watch 4 could introduce what feels like an overdue addition: meaningful strength training support. Not just passive rep counting or vague calorie estimates—actual structure. The report suggests that Google may roll out a Workout Builder tool. If true, this would let users design custom strength workouts with intervals, warm-ups, cool-downs, and potentially, real-time coaching.
Nothing official yet, of course. But the timing tracks. And perhaps more importantly, the demand is there.
I’ve used smartwatches in the gym before. And honestly? Most of them don’t feel built for it. They’ll track your heart rate, sure. But they rarely understand the nuance of lifting sessions—rest periods, muscle fatigue, form correction. That’s partly a hardware issue, but it’s also a software problem. Apple’s made some moves here with its WatchOS updates. Garmin’s tried, too. But Google? It’s been trailing.
Is the Pixel Watch Growing Up?
If Google pulls this off—if this “strength experience” is more than marketing—this could be the first Pixel Watch that feels truly useful across a full range of fitness goals. And that would be a shift in tone for the entire Pixel wearable line, which until now has leaned heavily on cardio-centric data. Running, cycling, swimming—you know the drill.
Not that Google is giving up on runners. The Watch 4 may also offer advanced metrics for cardio workouts, especially running. That includes cadence, stride length, ground contact, vertical oscillation, and other stats that, honestly, most casual users might not fully understand. But for serious athletes, this stuff matters.
Some of these features may be locked behind Fitbit Premium. That’s not surprising, though still a bit disappointing. There’s always the question of what’s truly included and what’s just “free trial bait.” Still, if the hardware and sensors are improving alongside the software, it could all come together.
What About Other Sports?
Interestingly, it looks like strength and running aren’t the only focus areas. The Pixel Watch 4 might also improve its automatic activity recognition. That sounds small, but it’s a quality-of-life feature that can make the difference between consistent use and giving up entirely. Better swim tracking and cycling support are rumored too.
In practice, this would mean the watch knows when you’re lifting or riding or swimming—without you having to scroll through menus or remember to tap “Start.” Small friction points like that add up.
The challenge? Getting it right. Automatically detecting complex, gym-based movements has historically been difficult. It’s not just about motion sensors—it’s about interpreting intent. Is that a squat or just picking something up off the floor? Was that a deliberate set, or a half-hearted attempt before your phone buzzed?
Pixel Watch 4 strength training update: Why Now?
Maybe it’s the rise of wearable-focused AI. Or maybe it’s just that Google’s starting to feel the pressure. Either way, timing matters. The Pixel Watch 4 is expected to be announced at the Made by Google event on August 20, alongside the Pixel 10 series and the Fold model. It’s a crowded stage, but fitness tech is having a moment—and Google can’t afford to keep playing catch-up.
To be fair, the first few Pixel Watch releases weren’t total flops. But they weren’t category leaders either. Design-wise? Beautiful. Functionally? A little underbaked. This new direction, if it plays out, could give the Pixel Watch a stronger identity—especially among people who aren’t just looking for step counts.
Worth Getting Excited?
I think so. Tentatively. There’s always a bit of skepticism with pre-release rumors, and Google has a track record of promising big updates… and then slowly delivering them over the next few months via patches. But the idea of a smartwatch that treats gym time with as much seriousness as a long run? That’s appealing.
Fitness culture has changed. Wearables need to catch up. If the Pixel Watch 4 brings even half of these features in a smooth, user-friendly package, it might finally become more than just a pretty wrist piece for Pixel diehards.
We’ll know more soon enough.
