A new fitness app for Meta Quest headsets is coming soon, this time associated with international gym and workout brand Les Mills.
Les Mills Bodycombat appeared on the Quest store this week, with no set release date besides a ‘coming soon’ tag. The app is a virtual extension of the Les Mills fitness brand, which offers gyms and fitness classes internationally. The brand is named after retired New Zealand athlete and politician Leslie Roy Mills. Mills opened his first gym in 1968 and was later Mayor of Auckland for eight years from 1990.
The international Les Mills brand is now managed by his son, with a variety of gyms, along with in-person and virtual classes, available worldwide. This new virtual experience — the first VR option in its extensive online workout catalog — will focus on adapting its existing Bodycombat classes into a new format for VR.
Bodycombat describes itself as a “premium fitness app” with “high-energy martial arts-inspired workout[s]”. This virtual offering of the Bodycombat class will cater to everyone, with 30 workouts options ranging from beginner to advanced levels. The trailer on the Oculus Store indicates the workouts will focus on virtual boxing.
The app will feature two class coaches, Dan Cohen and Rachael Newsham, along with five “dreamlike” environments to work out in — Mars, Neo City, Rome, Japan, and Tundra. Les Mills says more environments are on the way as well.
Bodycombat will be up against some tough competition, with fitness apps becoming more prevalent than ever on the Quest platform. That being said, the brief footage in the trailer for Bodycombat does look perhaps a little more polished, at least visually, than other options available, but we’ll have to wait to try it ourselves.
We all know that the new year tends to be a time where everyone makes a resolution to do something different, usually to get fit and burn off those festive calories. To help with that, FitXR for Meta Quest is adding a whole new range of features and upgrades to aid your 2022 fitness.
First up are the new class formats to the Box workout studio – Vibe, Velocity and Knockout. Each has its own unique style, so Vibe is all about the feel of the music and the flow of the class, whereas Velocity is far more intensive with the music and routine ending in a sweaty high note. As you might have guessed, Knockout simulates a boxing match, keeping with FitXR’s roots when it was known as BoxVR.
“We want to continue to drive our members, encouraging them to advance in their fitness goals,” said Kelly Cosentino, Director of Fitness at FitXR in a statement. “For this reason we’re pumped to create these new Box class formats that will deliver a boutique fitness studio experience and get members further invested in classes from start to finish.”
Next up is the “Find Your Fit” Training Program. This is very much in keeping with those healthy resolutions that only last for one month, as the program is a four week, 12 class workout regimen which launched yesterday. Members can sign up to receive weekly emails with their suggested fitness classes and will also get motivational tips and advice from the FitXR team.
“I’m thrilled to give members structured guidance that will allow them to determine what works best for them individually. Fitness is not a sprint, it’s a marathon, and ultimately we want our members to adapt these habits for the long term. The ‘Find Your Fit’ program will help steer members to the coaches, style of classes and music genres that speak to them and keep them coming back,” Cosentino adds.
Lastly, three new coaches have joined the FitXR squad, Elise, Billy and Adam. Each will bring their own expertise to the role as they seek to inspire and motivate FitXR users to achieve their fitness goals.
FitXR is a subscription-based fitness app exclusive to the Meta Quest platform. With a vast array of total body workouts synced to the catchiest tunes, there’s a 7-day free trial to test it out. After that, it’ll cost you $9.99 USD a month to continue the membership. For continued updates, keep reading VRFocus.
Subscription-based virtual reality (VR) fitness app FitXR wants to make its workouts as accessible as possible so that any player can participate. To that end, FitXR will be rolling out six new accessibility classes starting this week through to November for subscribers.
FitXR has three core studios Box, HIIT and Dance which you can participate in, each offering a slightly different workout regimen. While the Box Studio already featured classes that could be played seated thanks to disengaging the squat feature, the other two did not. So these new classes address that imbalance.
There will be five new HIIT classes and one for Dance, all designed so that users with varying degrees of mobility can enjoy an engaging workout.
“Our goal at FitXR has always been to deliver an unparalleled VR fitness experience accessible by anyone, from anywhere, fit for the future of fitness,” said Sam Cole, Co-Founder and CEO of FitXR. “We realize that fitness is not one-size-fits-all, so we’re thrilled to continuously create content that is accessible to a broad range of people, regardless of their experience, goals or mobility.”
The six new classes are as follows:
Class Name: Brain Boost – Seated
Studio: HIIT
Level: Beginner
Duration: 9 minutes
Music: Electronic
Release Date: 26th September
Class Name: Out of Breath – Seated
Studio: HIIT
Level: Intermediate
Duration: 14 minutes
Music: Electronic
Release Date: 3rd October
Class Name: Upper Body Sweat – Seated
Studio: Dance
Level: Beginner
Duration: 10 minutes
Music: Pop
Release Date: 15th October
Class Name: Short & Sweaty – Seated
Studio: HIIT
Level: Beginner
Duration: 9 minutes
Music: Rock
Release Date: 21st October
Class Name: Rock It Out – Seated
Studio: HIIT
Level: Intermediate
Duration: 11 minutes
Music: Rock
Release Date: 31st October
Class Name: Burnin’ Up – Seated
Studio: HIIT
Level: Intermediate
Duration: 12 minutes
Music: Electronic
Release Date: 7th November
These are just the first in a planned series of accessible workouts with additional seated content to be regularly made available.
Among all the virtual reality (VR) companies out there Rendever is one of the few specifically focusing its attention on older adults, helping seniors overcome social isolation through shared experiences. Today, the company has announced plans to expand its repertoire with RendeverFit, a new platform merging physical fitness, cognitive fitness and social elements.
Rendever’s VR solution for senior living communities up to now has revolved around using headsets like Oculus Go, providing 360-degree video content which community staff can control for a group viewing experience. RendeverFit will take that idea to the next stage by combining three active modules, Cycle, Paddle, and Paint into one package.
It’ll be the company’s first fitness-based product, built to improve mental health, emotional, psychological, and cognitive function as well as encouraging physical activity. The Cycle module will allow users to cycle through several beautiful environments together whilst Paddle ups the intensity by testing agility and accuracy as users hit balls at targets. The Paint module utilises Multibrush, the multiplayer version of Tilt Brushcreated by Rendever’s CTO, Tom Neumann.
“Social health is a critical factor when families are considering whether it is best for a loved one to transition into a senior living community or remain at home. Through Rendever’s research, we understand the impact of virtual reality on residents’ social health, and are excited to continue growing our platform to take a more holistic approach to wellbeing,” said Kyle Rand, Cofounder and CEO of Rendever in a statement. “By combining healthy physical movement with the overall wellness of increased socialization, RendeverFit will help senior living communities expand their resident care through our fun and dynamic platform. The new RendeverFit platform will follow in the footsteps of other award-winning Rendever products, giving communities an arsenal of tools to utilize daily while delivering high quality care.”
“When I witnessed RendeverFit with my community members, I was overwhelmed with the possibilities and tangible applications this platform will provide. The residents and my team were astounded by what the future holds,” said Marcus Kubicheck at Monarch Healthcare Management. “It was a beautiful experience to see the authentic smiles that everyone shared, especially after exercising! RendeverFit IS the future of long-term care and a shining example of a clinical therapeutic intervention that promotes community health.”
RendeverFit will make its public debut during the 2021 Argentum Senior Living Executive Conference & Expo in Phoenix, Arizona next week, where attendees can demo the software. Its official rollout will then take place in December 2021, with pre-orders currently being accepted.
For the latest healthcare use cases of VR, keep reading VRFocus.
Fitness subscription service Supernatural is getting an update today that overhauls its menu system for quicker navigation to the kinds of workouts you want.
The update is focused around new carousels in the menu system to navigate the library of 500+ workouts in the app. There’s new collections that highlight trending workouts that are popular, workouts that target specific muscle groups, dance workouts, as well as the “Monster Marathon” that groups together Supernatural’s longest workouts into a single list for folks that have the time to push themselves pretty far.
The trailer below showcases some of the new features:
“Everyone’s fitness journey is unique. You might have a specific taste in music, a specific coach you connect with, or a level of intensity that matches your goals for the day. With Supernatural 3.0, we’ve made it even easier to find the perfect workouts for you no matter where you are in your fitness journey. This makes staying consistent with your fitness routine that much more fun, joyful and satisfying,” said Leanne Pedante, Supernatural’s Head of Fitness, in a prepared statement.
We recently sat down with Pedante in our virtual studio for an interview discussing a wide range of fitness-related topics. She shared her top tip for how to keep up with your workouts, how she records her audio guidance for members while doing the workouts herself, and talked about the future of VR-based fitness.
A bunch of new music is coming to FitXR, thanks to several new partnerships with music labels such as Sony Music and Warner Music. The virtual fitness club with now feature tracks by artists such as Tiësto, Calvin Harris and many more.
The new partnerships strike deals between FitXR and eight major and indie record labels — Sony Music, Warner Music, Musical Freedom, Spinnin’ Records, Defected, Circus Records, Armada Records and Hospital Records.
Virtual fitness club sessions in FitXR will now include tracks such as Calvin Harris’ Feel So Close and Tiësto’s Wow, My Whistle, 7 Skies and Party Time. There’s also over 30 other new tracks from less prominent artists, and FitXR says it will be bringing a constant stream of new music to the app with the partnerships.
“We’re so pleased to join forces with these music labels as we embark on our journey to curate new and exciting class tracks for workouts in our Box, HIIT and Dance Studios,” said Co-Founder and CEO of FitXR, Sam Cole, in a prepared statement. “We’ve taken a cue from the group fitness class environment where you’re often introduced to new music you find interesting.”
FitXR also acknowledged that there remains lots of good music outside those signed to labels. So the developers plan to highlight emerging artists, and the company plans “to source new music for its workout classes from unsigned artists via an online submission process on the FitXR website.”
FitXR has always been about the combination of energetic gameplay and motivational music to help you power through and burn those unwanted pounds. Today, the team has revealed more of those infectious beats are on the way, collaborating with major and indie labels to bring you a continual stream of new tunes.
FitXR is working with the likes of Sony Music, Musical Freedom, Warner Music, Armada Records, and Hospital Records to bring users the latest artists and music whilst they work out in the Box, Dance and HIIT studio areas. With over 30 tracks o the horizon artists will include Calvin Harris, Tiësto, Krystal Clear, Eli Brown, Bingo Players, Human Life and many more.
Recognising that emerging artists could also use the FitXR platform to get their music heard, the team aims to source new music for its classes from unsigned artists. If you’re a musician and that sounds of interest head to FitXR’s online submission process to find out more.
“We’re so pleased to join forces with these music labels as we embark on our journey to curate new and exciting class tracks for workouts in our Box, HIIT and Dance Studios,” said Sam Cole, Co-Founder and CEO of FitXR. “Like so many other facets of our virtual fitness club, we’ve taken a cue from the group fitness class environment where you’re often introduced to new music you find interesting. As we know how important music is to keep us energized when exercising, we hope our members are inspired by the new songs featured from both these new and established artists.”
Labels and artists heading to FitXR:
Sony Music
Calvin Harris – Feel So Close
Musical Freedom
Tiësto – Wow
Tiësto – My Whistle
Tiësto & 7 Skies featuring Rebmoe – My Frequency
Tiësto & Swacq – Party Time
Warner Music
Anti-Up – Sensational
Krystal Clear – Neutron Dance
Sonny Fodera & Ella Eyre – Wired
Cloonee – Sun Goes Down
Magician featuring Years&Years – Sunlight
Obskur – Bayside
For A FoolO – Storm Queen (Clapstone Remix)
Franky Rozardo & Joe Goddard – No Judgment
Ba:sen – In Deep We Trust
Eyes in Fire – Blue Foundation (Michael Bibi Remix)
Duo – Sam Gellaitry
Spinnin’ Records
Tujamo & Sidney Samson – Riverside (Reloaded)
Bingo Players – Rattle
Will Sparks & Danny Avila – Fat Beat
Defected
Ashbah – Devotion
Saison featuring Leon Lincoln – The Last Time (Qubiko Remix)
Qubiko – U R, Set Me Free
John Summit – Deep End
ATFC – Dazzle
Audiojack – Stay Glued (FCL Weemix Edit)
Gerd – Work Da Tool
G. Logan – How We Did (Friend Within Vocal Remix)
Human Movement – Help A Brother Out
Martin Badder – See It Through My Eyes
Eli Brown – Better When
Royal-T – Clouds
Sonny Fodera featuring Amber Jolene – Hold It Down
Gershon Jackson – Hands Together
Kings Of Tomorrow featuring April – Let Me Tell You Something (Sandy Rivera & C. Castell’s Remix)
Angelo Ferreri – I’m Talking To You
DJ Dove – Illusions (NY Stomp Tribute Mix)
Emanuel Satie – Your Body
Human Life – In It Together
Kiddy Smile – Teardrops In The Box
Circus Records
Flux Pavilion – I Got Something
FitXR has continually added new content and features during the course of 2021 for Oculus Quest, one of the biggest being the move to a subscription-based model for $9.99 USD a month. A couple of months ago the app also introduced a third mode, the High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) studio to really get you moving. As FitXR adds new content and updates, VRFocus will continue to keep you posted.
Back in April popular fitness app FitXR changed from single-purchase to a subscription-based model, adding new content whilst revealing a new High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) studio feature was on the way. Today, VR fitness lovers can enjoy the new workout routines, providing even more ways to burn calories in VR.
Joining FitXR’s Box and Dance studios, the HIIT studio will provide a mix of instructor-led exercises and reaction-based fitness sessions. A well practised training routine for athletes, HIIT involves short bursts of intense activity, with FitXR’s version targeting different muscle groups to increase your heart rate.
During the Fitness Activity classes you’ll be moving in various directions facilitating functional movement, so make sure you’ve cleared some space. Whereas the Reaction Activity classes task you with hitting a wall of quickly illuminating orbs, combining speed and reaction timing for its workout. And to ensure things don’t get repetitive and boring, the HIIT class mechanics will continue to switch.
“We’re excited to launch a brand new way to workout with FitXR with the introduction of HIIT classes. We were inspired by the rush of endorphins and sense of achievement you get from completing a high-intensity class, and a desire to continuously develop and evolve the FitXR virtual fitness club. The HIIT Studio brings a style of workout that is completely different, but equally as fun and entertaining. We know how important variety is for our community, who use FitXR every day to reach their fitness goals,” said Sam Cole, CEO & Co-Founder of FitXRin a statement.
“FitXR introducing HIIT workouts also signals a true coming-of-age moment for VR fitness. This is the start of the next phase of what’s possible to achieve and what FitXR plans to continuously deliver against as the technology continues to evolve,” he adds.
Currently, FitXR is exclusive to the Oculus Quest platform with new members offered a 7-day free trial. Should they wish to continue the subscription is $9.99 USD a month. On Steam, Oculus Rift and PlayStation VR the fitness videogame is still called BoxVR and lacks some of the newer features. Eventually, BoxVR will be upgraded to FitXR on these platforms. When that happens VRFocus will let you know
It’s Mental Health Awareness Week here in the UK with many struggling with being stuck at home, unable to see friends and family. Whilst lockdown restrictions are slowly being rolled back that doesn’t mean everyone’s wellbeing instantly improves overnight. There are various ways to improve your mental health and virtual reality (VR) can be part of that process, from exploring the great outdoors to engaging in some light fitness. So here are a few recommendations for when those stress levels begin to rise.
While you should get out for the odd walk when (and if) you can, there are plenty of studies that highlight the fact that even doing some light exercise can help lift your mood. And this doesn’t need to be intensive workout sessions as long as you’re moving. Naturally, the more often you do exercise, and for longer periods, the greater the effect.
The UK’s Mental Health Foundation also highlights the positive attributes of getting closer to nature, finding that “More than half of UK adults saying being close to nature improved their mental health.” You might not think VR and nature go hand-in-hand but they definitely do if you know where to look.
Tackling fatigue, stress or anxiety with VR
Guided Tai Chi
Perfect as a form of exercise as well as being able to refresh your mind and spirit, Guided Tai Chi provides over 200 workouts, allowing you to select 20 scenic locations and the music to go with each session. These can range from a quick 3-minute warm-up all the way up to 60-minute Tai Chi endurance marathons. On Oculus Quest you even have the ability to use hand tracking for a more natural experience.
Ecosphere
An interactive collection of 360-degree videos, Ecosphereis a nature documentary series. Featuring content from the jungles of Borneo to the rich coral reefs of Raja Ampat, viewers will be able to see a diverse selection of wildlife created in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
Beat Saber
A rhythm-action videogame every VR player knows and has probably played, Beat Sabercan help you work up a sweat on its expert difficulty levels. With its simple yet addictive gameplay Beat Saber is easy to zone into and forget about the outside world, slicing and dicing coloured blocks to your heart’s content. There are even multiplayer and 360-degree modes when you really want to turn things up a notch.
Nature Treks VR
Keeping with the nature theme, Nature Treks VR is just what you want to explore the great outdoors in VR. Get up close with 20 different animals across a range of environments where you can control the weather and time of day, activate audio visualizations and more. Music plays over each scene of you can turn it off to hear the soothing sounds of nature.
Synth Riders
Another rhythm-action title to help get the blood pumping and loosen those muscles is Synth Riders. Rather than all the hectic slashing of Beat Saber, Synth Riders is a fluid, orb matching experience that helps to stretch your body to a variety of music, from synth-wave through to Muse. The videogame also features a 360° Spin Mode and a cross-platform multiplayer for up to 10 people because it’s nice to get a few mates involved.
Tripp
An award-winning meditation app, Tripp offers 40+ meditative experiences with a mobile app to help personalise and track your Tripp’s. “TRIPP uniquely integrates game play mechanics, breathing exercises, beautiful visual landscapes and sound frequencies. Based on scientific research and used in several clinical studies.” So get comfy on the sofa and enjoy a relaxing journey in VR.
Wander
As you might expect from an app called Wander, this is all about travelling the world and being able to visit locations like the gardens of the Taj Mahal or the Great Pyramids of Egypt. Using data from Google StreetView, you can navigate around using voice controls as well as other input methods. Plus, if you want to learn something along the way Wander features Wikipedia integration.
Where Thoughts Go
A very existential, award-winning social experience, Where Thoughts Gois the work of indie developer Lucas Rizzotto. It lets you uncover the dreams, fears and secrets of other players by waking up creatures – and also leave your own for others to find. Unusual and highly thought-provoking,“These anonymous stories are revealing and inspiring, encouraging reflection and introspection,” explains the synopsis. “Participants have no way to discern who they are hearing from, only how considerate and sensitive each and every person is.”
Real VR Fishing
Time for more VR videogame fun. Fishing has always been considered one of those relaxing, Sunday afternoon past times and with Real VR Fishing, every day can be Sunday. Designed as a realistic fishing simulation, you can head to real-world fishing locations to cast off and see if you can get a bite, on your own or with friends. You’ve got your own aquarium to put the fish you’ve caught in and there’s even a web browsing option so you can pull up YouTube and listen to some tunes out on the water.
National Geographic Explore VR
Last on the list is National Geographic Explore VR an interactive experience where you can explore two locations, Antarctica and Machu Picchu, Peru. In the frozen wastes of the southern continent, you can kayak around icebergs and search for a lost emperor penguin colony. While in Peru wander through digital reconstructions of the ancient Inca citadel, encounter alpacas and take photos of your journey.
VirZOOM has been in the virtual reality (VR) fitness game for quite a while now, starting off with a bike controller in 2016. But hardware – especially VR peripherals – is a difficult business to be in, seeing VirZOOM pivot to being a software company that allows you to cycle around the world on a standard exercise bike. Today, VirZOOM has announced the launch of VZfit, its complete fitness app for Oculus Quest.
Fitness has become an exciting part of the VR industry, with apps like Supernatural and FitXR heavily promoting their healthy credentials whilst others including Beat Saber, Synth Riders, Audio Trip and more equally provide energetic sessions which can be tracked using Oculus Move or YUR. But they all tend to be rhythm action experiences, whereas VZfit is still sticking to its cycling roots whilst expanding its potential by removing the bike altogether.
VZfit‘s unique feature is the use of Google Maps so you can cycle around almost anywhere in the world, following pre-created routes or your own. If you have an exercise bike then an additional cadence sensor is all that’s required to connect the app to the bike. However, VZfit’s latest addition is the ‘exerboard’ which allows you to follow a virtual trainers workout routine with feedback and encouragement along the route.
“We wanted to combine the limitless possibilities of the world around us with the limitless possibilities of VR,” said Eric Janszen, Co-founder and CEO, VirZOOM in a statement. “Take a selfie at the Coliseum or in front of the Sydney Opera House, or simply take a trip down memory lane – whatever location you choose, with VZfit a world of adventure is literally at your fingertips. Our experiences have always been an exhilarating mix of the real world and the fantastical, but this is the most accessible VR fitness app that uses global exploration as a key motivator, making it so fresh and engaging that exercise almost becomes the side product. Especially in a time when none of us can travel in reality, it already has our community completely hooked.”
“After the success of VZplay and Explorer, we wanted to reduce the friction of needing special cardio hardware so we could expand our reach to anyone wanting to stay fit and healthy,” adds Eric Malafeew, Co-founder and CTO, VirZOOM. “We also wanted to expand beyond pure game play to tap into those travel aspirations and the endless options available to us in the real world.”
VZfit is available today for Oculus Quest. The app is free to download with a 7-day trial period available to test it out. After that it’s a subscription service costing $9.99 USD per month with VirZOOM also planning on rolling out a discounted annual membership in the near future. For further updates on VZfit, keep reading VRFocus.
will help senior living communities expand their resident care through our fun and dynamic platform. The new RendeverFit
