Fitness – Page 4 – Augmented & Virtual Reality Confabulation

November 13, 2020

New Quest Update Adds Native 90Hz, Gifting, and New Fitness Tracker

In a blog post Facebook announced that the Oculus Quest v23 system software update will begin rolling out today. The new update includes a native 90Hz refresh rate option for the Quest 2 and a new fitness tracker, Oculus Move. The ability to purchase and gift apps for others will be coming later this month. Oculus Link is also exiting beta today.

At launch the Oculus Quest 2 supported 90Hz refresh rate as an option just for the Home area and apps like the Oculus Browser, but not games in general. You could use a workaround patch to unlock the framerate, but it wasn’t officially support for games. Starting today, the update should start rolling out. This portion of the update is for Quest 2 only:

“Starting today, all system software including Home, Guardian, and Passthrough will run at 90Hz by default, and we’re allowing developers to start shipping Quest titles with native 90Hz support.”

Then update v23 will also include Oculus Move, a new embedded app for both Quest and Quest 2 that works across all apps and games. This app will track your estimated calories burned based on your activity level, which is measured by the headset and controller movement. You’ll also be able to set daily goals. The blog post says it’s a “gradual” rollout, so it may not appear immediately in your library.

Finally, and I do mean finally after years of waiting, you can finally gift games and apps to other Oculus users. This update isn’t coming until “later this month.” You’ll be able to purchase things in the mobile app or on the web browser and send them to directly to a friend. You’ll start to see a new “Buy for a Friend” button, similar to how Steam handles it for PC games.

Combined with the new ability to cast to a PC browser rather than just a Chromecast device, Quest and Quest 2 are getting lots of new features just in time for the holidays.

October 16, 2020

Get a Healthy Groove on With FitXR’s new Dance Workouts

Exercise classes are a fun way to work out in a group rather than purely going full bore in the gym. However, with the pandemic and ensuing lockdown, they’ve become a rarity. Helping bring that joint cardio workout feeling into the home, FitXR will be launching dance workouts for its Oculus Quest app.

Adding more variety to its standard boxing workouts, FitXR’s new dance routines are designed for full-body aerobic exercise. You mirror a virtual trainer’s moves as accurately and as energetically as possible, with a high score system encouraging that effort.

The update will feature 60 minutes of dance workouts including four beginner classes and four intermediate classes across three dance styles. Cardio dance focuses on rhythm and the coordination, cardio conditioning concentrates on endurance while body conditioning looks at bodyweight strength to work your entire body.

“The addition of dance to the FitXR studio represents our continual ambition to provide users with a virtual place they can go to achieve their fitness goals but importantly to have fun whilst doing it – and all without leaving the house. We know that when it comes to exercise, people will only stick with something if they enjoy it, and that’s exactly what we’ve created with our latest offering,” said Sameer Baroova, Co-founder of FitXR in a statement.

“Dancing is a great way of letting your hair down and having fun whilst exercising at the same time, and as dancing has been somewhat off the menu in 2020, we felt there was no better time to make dance the latest edition to the FitXR service,” Baroova adds.

Previously called BoxVR, the title was rebranded to FitXR for its Oculus Quest launch this summer. In September the first DLC arrived adding 20 new rock tracks and more workout routines.

FitXR’s new dance-inspired workouts will be available for Oculus Quest and Quest 2 from 5th November 2020 as a free update. For further announcements from FitXR, keep reading VRFocus.

July 27, 2020

Open Your Home Virtual Fitness Studio This Week With FitXR on Oculus Quest

Fitness focused virtual reality (VR) studio FitXR has brought its energetic app BoxVR to numerous headsets over the last three years, the last being Oculus Quest. Later this week the videogame will see a major update rollout for the standalone headset, adding new features and changing its name to FitXR.

The launch of FitXR aims to ‘capture the energy of live fitness classes’ notes the studio, building on its experience with BoxVR by providing over four hours of boxing-inspired workouts. Designed to accommodate beginner, intermediate and advanced users, the workouts have been choreographed by professional fitness instructors so you get a full-body session.

A new feedback system will make it seem like you have your own personal trainer plus the launch will also see three DLC packs made available. Enhanced multiplayer features will allow six people to take part in on-demand classes (either live players or ghost data). Then later this year different workout styles will arrive.

“With the launch of FitXR, we are ready to tackle the fitness industry head-on,” said Sameer Baroova, Co-founder of FitXR in a statement. “Traditional gym offerings can leave people unmotivated and at times intimidated – our new studio offers a virtual fitness solution that is versatile and effective in helping people reach their fitness goals, but still remains fun at its core. Fun workouts are the ones we stick with, and this was the real driving force in creating FitXR.”

“The success of BoxVR has taught us that there is a massive public appetite for a fun and engaging way to work out that can be done from the comfort of your own home,” Baroova continues. “We know that people may not feel comfortable going back to public spaces and FitXR gives users the benefits of a group workout from home. The exciting thing about Virtual Reality fitness is that the possibilities really are endless – that is why VR is the future of fitness. We’re looking forward to the reaction from fans to the launch of FitXR, and can’t wait to add new styles of workout to the studio.”

FitXR will be released for Oculus Quest on 30th July 2020 as a free update for those that own BoxVR. FitXR‘s regular retail price will be $29.99 USD/£22.99 GBP. For further updates, keep reading VRFocus.

July 26, 2020

Can virtual reality really get you fit?

Our writer dons a headset and turns boxer, air guitarist and saber wielder in a bid to shake off his lockdown lassitude

Like many people, by May I was having a difficult time in lockdown: struggling with homeschooling; stressing about work; tired out by Zoom calls; comfort eating; drinking too much; and feeling nervous about venturing out for short walks, let alone exercise.

And then I strapped a computer to my face and gave thin air a damn good pummelling and everything improved a little. Virtual reality’s role in helping me to clamber out of the lockdown blues has changed the way I think about the technology and its potential to play a meaningful role in day-to-day life.

July 13, 2020

The best fitness games

Gym rats and fitness newcomers alike will be able to work up a sweat with these pulse-quickening game titles.

July 13, 2020

Black Box VR Partners With EoS Fitness to Bring VR Workouts to Members

It’s a well-known fact that working out at a gym isn’t the most exciting experience and a big factor in why many either don’t go or struggle to main a regimen. Which was the whole reason Black Box VR was set up in 2016 to utilise immersive technology as a training aid. Recently, the company announced a partnership with EoS Fitness to install its tech at several locations.

This summer Black Box VR will install its resistance training machines in four EoS Fitness locations (six in each) across Arizona and California, making it the first national US gym brand to offer members a VR solution.

Taking up a 10-foot-by-10-foot space, the VR machines provide a low-impact workout environment designed to build strength, increase cardiovascular endurance, decrease body fat and increase muscle. Members will be able to complete various sets and reps which then automatically adjust while AI tracks movements, corrects form and changes resistance to keep them in that crucial muscle building, fat burning zone. VRFocus tested the kit during CES 2018 during its first unveiling.

“Black Box VR is a first for the fitness industry. Whether our members are super competitive or simply want to challenge themselves with something new, this full-body, strength-training-based workout is an innovative new option to ensure working out at the gym is never boring. Our goal is to continue to challenge our members and communities by bringing them cutting-edge fitness options to keep them coming back for more. Black Box VR completely tests your physical limits, all while playing a game,” said Rich Drengberg, CEO of EoS Fitness in a statement.

“We couldn’t be more proud to bring this fitness innovation to the world with EoS Fitness as our partner. The entire EoS team is focused on helping members reach their fitness goals and they relentlessly seek out the exciting new ways to make that possible. There’s no better place to launch the VR fitness revolution than right inside an EoS Fitness club,” said Ryan DeLuca, Co-Founder and CEO of Black Box VR.

EoS Fitness will be offered an initial free trial and then as an add-on amenity. Black Box VR plans on expanding its market roll out over the next couple of years. For further VR fitness updates, keep reading VRFocus.

May 4, 2020

Dance to Audio Trip’s Beat This Week on Oculus Quest

Thanks to its wireless freedom Oculus Quest is fast becoming the home of virtual reality (VR) titles designed for energetic gameplay and fitness. The latest to join this expanding group is Audio Trip by Kinemotik Studios, a dance-centric experience.

Originally released for PC VR headsets on Steam and Oculus Store late last year, like others in this genre, Audio Trip is all about matching your hand movements to the symbols scrolling towards you, creating a lively workout in the process thanks to choreography by a professional dancer.

One of the few rhythm-action videogames in VR to feature officially licensed music from the likes of Skrillex, Zedd, deadmau5, Lady Gaga and more, the Oculus Quest launch will also see new features, music and contest for players to participate in.

Audio Trip will be introducing a choreography tool so that players can create their own levels to songs. It’s the same tool Kinemotik Studios use to create with, usable in-headset, editing everything in-game. The new song is Golden Pineapple by producer, Tolan, with both the track and tool used in the Choreography Contest.

Offering players the chance to win a $1000 USD prize for first place, $500 for second or $250 for third, players have to choreograph their version of Golden Pineapple and submit a video to the Audio Trip Discord channel for a chance to win the cash prizes.

Additionally, the Oculus Quest launch will include global leaderboards for players to compete against on another.

“We’re incredibly excited to bring Audio Trip to the Quest. The main reason we created Audio Trip is to help people realize their potential and feel the joy of full-body movement (what we refer to as “embodied VR”), and the Quest is pushing the boundaries of movement in VR to new levels. We’ve really enjoyed playing and testing on the Quest these past few months and can’t wait for everyone to experience the game this way!“ shares Ashley Cooper, Kinemotik Studios co-founder and the professional dancer who choreographed all the dances in the videogame.

Audio Trip for Oculus Quest will arrive this Thursday, 7th May, retailing for $19.99. The title will also support cross-buy. For further updates on Audio Trip, keep reading VRFocus.

April 27, 2020

Community Download: Is VR Exercise The Future Of Home Fitness?

Community Download is a weekly discussion-focused articles series published (usually) every Monday in which we pose a single, core question to you all, our readers, in the spirit of fostering discussion and debate. For today’s Community Download, we want to know if you think VR exercise could be the future of home fitness workouts?

Now that we live in an age of social isolation and stay-at-home orders from governments around the world, finding novel ways to stay active and fit is more important than ever. Gyms are often closed nowadays and working out at home like normal with videos or over web conferences doesn’t do it for lots of people.

That’s where VR can come into play. Not only is it great to stay connected with others, but there are some truly great VR exercise apps out there too. With the likes of Beat Saber serving as a major catalyst for thousands of VR users around the world, as well as apps such as BoxVR and Supernatural that focus specifically on helping you exercise and stay fit, there’s never been a better time to get fit at home.

But is this really what the future looks like for at-home fitness? Will VR exercise be ubiquitous enough that gyms, trainers, and users will start to use it as often as a Peloton, Bowflex, eliptical machine, treadmill, or other common exercise equipment? Could a VR headset replace at-home gyms in the future?

Let us know what you think of the prospect down in the comments below and recommend any tips you have for working out in VR!

The post Community Download: Is VR Exercise The Future Of Home Fitness? appeared first on UploadVR.

April 23, 2020

Supernatural Takes Oculus Quest Fitness A Few Steps Further Than Beat Saber

After playing Supernatural this week, my legs are sore to a degree unmatched by Beat Saber, Pistol Whip, BoxVR, OhShape, or any other VR app.

It is easy to see the influence of those earlier VR games on the new exercise and fitness software from Within, but Supernatural is tuned in ways the others aren’t for both the wireless freedom of Oculus Quest and a home replacement for gym visits.

What sets Supernatural apart from, say, Beat Saber?

Nice songs picked for workouts from popular musicians. Artists spotted in the launch lineup included Lizzo, Lady Gaga, One Republic, Kendrick Lamar, Ramones, Macklemore, and Panic! At The Disco, among others.
Every workout is built for the 360 wireless freedom of Oculus Quest. You’ll be shown how to turn in place and hit targets with your bats coming along different tracks.
A personal trainer’s voice is in your ears offering motivating words and guidance to finish a 20-30 minute workout.
Prettier environments that look like actual places rather than colorful voids.
Mobile app and Apple Watch integration to better track activity.
You need to duck your head inside triangles coming to your sides and that means being more active with lunges than just simply ducking or moving out of the way of a wall in Beat Saber.

The game is available now on Oculus Quest with a free trial month ahead of its $19 per month subscription pricing. That pricing is surely hard for many Quest owners to wrap their brain around if you’re a fan of a game like Beat Saber — but the free trial should provide plenty of time to try out the workouts and see if it’s a nice fit. I should note Supernatural requires an active Internet connection to stream assets and an answer page on the website for the software says they recommend speeds above 20 Mbps.

We haven’t spent enough time yet with Supernatural to give it a full review yet but I did find the workouts both fun and challenging in a way that seemed more focused on keeping my body moving than, say, just providing a satisfying rhythmic sense of destruction. Of course, BoxVR and Beat Saber both released fitness updates in recent weeks, so we’re going to have to dive into all the updated fitness VR apps more deeply in the coming weeks to provide a better breakdown of the best way to work out in VR.

You can check out Supernatural on Oculus Quest here.

The post Supernatural Takes Oculus Quest Fitness A Few Steps Further Than Beat Saber appeared first on UploadVR.

April 13, 2020

YUR.watch and the Future of Fitness on the Oculus Quest

Over the last couple of weeks, four fit friendly Oculus Quest videogames were updated to include YUR.watch. A virtual fitness watch that, after signing up, shows you heart rate, squats, and lets you level up by burning calories.

Synth Riders The full list of YUR.watch compatible titles are:

Synth Riders
OhShape
Racket: Nx
Sairento VR: Untethered

VRFocus covered Synth Riders when the update happened because it was much bigger than just YUR. The developers added live Sunday fitness classes (which you should try to check out), increased multiplayer room capacity, and added an endless mode for those long workout sessions. All in an effort to keep people fit while they’re trapped indoors.

Now I’m not a… healthy man, by the normal definition. I was never drawn into virtual reality (VR) for the workout potential, or to get a sweat going. No, the main attraction for me was feeling like a badass without having to change out of my pyjamas.

Luckily, Sairento VR: Untethered doesn’t care what I’m wearing as I backflip, shoot, and fling knives at hordes of virtual samurai. But I was still sceptical about YUR. To be honest, it was actually the interface that convinced me to try it.

The virtual watch is just… there. Unobtrusive, subtle, and it expands with a simple flick of the wrist. It feels futuristic in a way that VR always should, so I signed up.

And I regret nothing.

Seeing your heart rate and burned calories is great, but what really caught me with YUR is the gamification. You level up and unlock watches as you play, and I started finding that I went out of my way to exercise. I was shocked too. Instead of opting for guns, I started leaning completely into swordplay and slashing my way to better health.

I tried the YUR.watch in Racket: Nx and Synth Riders. I discovered that just having it there made me change how I played – I made an effort to push the workout further. Maybe it was the gamification, maybe it was just seeing a calorie count, but it was exactly what I needed in this time of isolation.

I am eagerly waiting for YUR.watch to reach other games on the platform, and just having it as an option will make everyone more conscious of just how much they’re flailing for good.

But, if you’re as impatient as me…

Using YUR in every game

While YUR has officially rolled out its watch in the above four games, it’s actually been accessible on a lot of platforms for a while now. Sadly, the actual virtual watch is only widely available on PC VR, meaning you can monitor your Combine killing calorie burn in Half-Life: Alyx if you’re so inclined…

YUR - Half-Life: Alyx On your Oculus Quest, however, you can use SideQuest to add in an interface that goes across every videogame or experience you play. So I started experimenting.

Beat Saber was a natural first choice and proved exactly as good a workout as you would expect. Rec Room paintball was a decent workout too, and Lies Beneath wasn’t bad – but it was amazingly immersion breaking.

I’ll be the first to admit that some tests were a little misguided…. It turns out that the one squat you get from sitting down at the start of Epic Roller Coasters isn’t going to be earning me a few extra years anytime soon, but hey – worth a try.

If you’re at all on the fence about trying YUR, or if you’re antsy about staying healthy while quarantined, give one of the above four games a try and hopefully it will do to you what it did to me.

And if you’re looking for other games that will get you sweating through your pyjamas, check out VRFocus’ The 10 Best Fitness Apps For A VR Workout from earlier in the year. Feel free to share the videogames where you get your best workout below.