Runners and cyclists who rely on the Strava app to track their workouts have a new way to keep an eye on their health metrics. The fitness platform just rolled out an update that connects directly with Apple‘s newest wireless earbuds. This change allows users to capture live heart rate numbers straight from their ears during physical activity
It is especially helpful for people who prefer carrying just an iPhone rather than wearing a smartwatch while exercising.
The update reads your pulse from your ears during workouts
To use this new tool, you just need a pair of the latest AirPods Pro 3 and a phone running iOS 18 or later. When you hit the record button in the app, Strava pulls heart rate data right from the sensors inside the earbuds. The numbers show up live on your phone screen and save directly to your health profile when you finish the session.
If you happen to wear an Apple Watch at the same time, the system gets even more accurate. Strava will pull data from the left ear, the right ear, and your wrist all at once. It constantly checks the signals and automatically chooses the most reliable source. This automatic switching helps fix data drop-offs that often happen during lifting sessions or heavy wrist movements.
Beyond standard heart rate tracking, Strava also recently added tools to log physical therapy exercises. Users can now track how much time they spend on recovery routines like calf raises or stretches.
By adding support for earbud health sensors and physical therapy routines, the company is giving its active users a more complete picture of how their bodies handle daily stress and recovery.
