Popular fitness app Les Mills XR BODYCOMBAT (2022) just got its first paid DLC today, which features a slate of new workouts and features that will keep you swinging and sweating.
Called Power Strike, the $8 content pack includes eight new workouts which feature 22 new songs. Power Strike also includes new cosmetics, as premium environment, and a number of new moves, such as the ‘Power Strike’ and the ‘Final Target’.
Created by Les Mills and Odders Lab, the Power Strike DLC can be purchased both in-game and through the Store. Workouts can be played in both VR and MR modes, which is said to unlock “nearly 90 minutes of new content to help them destroy calories as they punch, kick, block, and strike,” Odders Lab says.
Additionally, the studio says it’s remained committed to supporting the base app with “regular free updates,” which is said to include performance improvements, bug fixes, and quality of life additions.
If you’re in the US, you can also nab an exclusive Meta Quest x LES MILLS XR BODYCOMBAT Fitness Bundle. Available from now until June 30th, you can choose from either the Quest 2 content bundle for $230 or the Quest 3 content bundle for $540, each of which includes the respective headset, Active Straps, and a copy of LES MILLS XR BODYCOMBAT at a reduced price.
Using an XR headset for at-home workouts basically looks like playing Beat Saber: you can duck, dodge, punch or slice to improve cardio and burn fat. With an increasing number of apps that essentially play on that formula, XR startup Vi hopes to change things up by letting you build muscle as well with the help of its upcoming XR glove and, eventually, its own standalone XR headset too.
Founded by serial VR fitness entrepreneur Cix Liv, the new startup Vi (‘virtual eye’) announced late last week it’s building a glove you can wear while pumping iron, letting you automatically do things like log reps and keep track of barbell weights.
Returning to VR. With a Vengeance.
Introducing Vi “virtual eye”. @ViHeadset and gloves designed specifically for fitness.
Joining me are @mentarus who built a VR glove company "Plexus", and @marcusckane our "Jony Ive" of VR.
The company isn’t speaking in-depth about the gloves for now, however Vi’s demo video above seems to suggest it’s still in early prototyping stages, with the render promising a sleeker device.
There is some info to glean from the company’s Discord (invite link) though. Product designer Eugene Nadyrshin says the ostensibly hardware agnostic controller will use custom hand-tracking models together with IMUs for sensor fusion, and include a Linear Resonant Actuators (LRA) at the back of the hand which give vibro-tactile feedback.
“As for openness we want to be as open as possible and you can be assured that we’ll be clear and open about the development journey instead of working behind a closed door for years,” Nadyrshin says, also noting that although the team isn’t making any broad commitment to OpenXR, they’re investigating it.
Image courtesy Vi, Cix Liv
You may recognize the startup’s founder Cix Liv from his other three-lettered ventures YUR, REK, and LIV, the latter of which helped popularize many VR games by letting content creators record themselves playing in the third-person. While many of Cix’s past projects focused on XR fitness, the team wasn’t founded with a fitness-focused mission in mind. Instead, Vi is what Liv calls “a pretty big pivot” from a previous idea of creating an AR app that would use computer vision to automatically price objects in your home to sell online.
And that pivot also includes creating an entire mixed reality headset dedicated to fitness:
“We will ship the gloves, then headset,” Liv writes on X (formerly Twitter). “Sell the headset at cost with a subscription for content. You’ll be able to own part of the company with a community fund-raise. We will eventually open up the cameras on the headset too.”
And why a headset? Liv says that some people need the mental and physical separation from ‘standard’ XR headsets, such as Quest:
So why a headset? Here’s why: Hardware is very hard, but it’s also a moat.
1. Try to hand a middle age person a Quest and say “exercise in this” see how long it takes.
2. Sweat in your headset and then tell me you’re going to jump into a productivity app. Not happening. pic.twitter.com/6yfUgtYOgA
Liv suggests the company can “do most of this with industrial re-design of existing hardware references. Just being hyper focused on specific use-cases, and do initial runs by 3D printing.”
There are indeed some recent reference designs the company can co-opt, such as the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ second gen reference, which Samsung may be using as a base to build its upcoming XR headset. Still, creating a standalone headset with its own operating system and app store that’s entirely separate from Meta’s or Apple’s is going to be a challenge worth watching.
In the meantime, Vi provided a few renders to give us a look at what could be one of the first fitness-focused XR headsets:
As a personal trainer, VR fitness apps aren’t something I usually lean towards. However, for Quest users looking for an introduction to strength training, the new weight-based training mode in Litesport (formerly Liteboxer) might have something to offer.
When playing VR, I’ve always enjoyed the passive fitness offered by games like Beat Saber and Blaston. I can see the appeal of proper VR fitness apps, but when I’m actually training, I tend to prefer picking up weights or doing some boxing. However, after trying out the newly updated Litesport (previously Liteboxer) app on Quest 2, that might be about to change.
The reason for Litesport’s name change is pretty simple – this isn’t just an app for punching the air to a beat anymore. The name change brings with it a new strength training mode, which actually has you using weights while working out in VR. Real weights, by the way, not virtual ones.
A lot of people will no doubt be worried about the safety aspect of training with real weights in VR. Before trying the new modes out, I had two main concerns, the first of which was about form. Anyone who has experience weightlifting knows that incorrect form can easily lead to injuries. Litesport remedies this concern with a pre-recorded virtual coach who guides each strength workout. Not only do they set the rhythm of each movement, which is essential, but also demonstrate each exercise as you go. The coach will also point out common mistakes, such as swinging the elbows when doing dumbbell curls.
Even when you’ve been lifting for decades, it’s hard to check your form during a normal workout, let alone while you’re in VR. A virtual mirror would be the ideal solution, but the guidance from the virtual coach still goes a long way towards alleviating my worries on that front. It also helps that the movements aren’t the big compound ones that can throw a person’s back out.
My other concern was a pretty simple one, and one likely shared by most VR users: what if I smack my headset with a dumbbell? The app makes use of two important features to combat this: hand-tracking support and passthrough mode. For Quest 2 users, you’re limited to the headset’s black and white passthrough, whereas those with Quest Pro will be able to work out in higher-resolution and with color. By using hand tracking and passthrough, the workouts become less like lifting in virtual reality, and more using mixed reality to offer support for newer lifters.
That last point is important too. I’ve been a personal trainer for over 13 years now and after trying Litesport’s new strength modules, I came away genuinely pretty impressed. While not a full weightlifting replacement, I see Litesport’s new modes as a great boon on those days when hitting the gym isn’t viable or just when you’re lacking motivation. This will be especially true for those of us who not only work at home, but also train at home too. I could definitely see myself relying on Litesport a couple of times a week for that extra bit of motivation, while also removing the stress of planning a training session.
Ultimately though, this isn’t really aimed at me. These new strength training modes feel far more aimed at those who are a bit newer to weight training, either wanting to build up some confidence or just those looking for a supplemental boost to other training methods. That’s why the coaches are constantly correcting standard mistakes, why they’re setting the pace, and why they’re so upbeat about everything, which is important when you’re settling into weight lifting.
You’ll need some actual dumbbells of your own to join in, but even without those and just using the controllers, the app offers a good chance to get more familiar with some classic weightlifting movements. If you do have weights, you can input how heavy they are at the beginning of a session. You’ll then get a summary of the total weight lifted at the end, as well as a breakdown of which muscle groups were worked and how intensely. It’s a nice bit of statistical validation after a lifting session, and a good way to figure out which muscle groups are likely to be a little tender the next day, especially for those not used to the constant companion that is delayed onset muscle soreness.
There’s also a little icon for each exercise showing which muscle groups it works. This isn’t just for information purposes though, because something any trainer will tell you is that knowing which muscles you’re meant to be working helps you actually use them when training. It’s called the mind-muscle connection in some fitness circles, and it basically ensures that you’re actively thinking about what you’re doing, which is something the app inspires constantly.
I’m genuinely quite impressed with it all. The fact that Litesport’s new modes make use of so many excellent Meta Quest 2 features is a big part of the appeal, but it’ll likely be even more impressive if you’ve got a higher-end headset with color passthrough, such as Quest Pro. Litesports says there will be more workouts added in the long run, and they’re even considering adding in some kettlebell exercises as well. I’m definitely a little more nervous about doing kettlebell swings in VR, but I’m still keen to see how it pans out.
For now, I’ll stick to improving my form – both inside and outside of VR.
In 2021 Meta announced it was set to acquire Within, the studio behind popular VR fitness app Supernatural, however the reportedly $400 million deal became subject to investigations by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in respect to Meta’s supposed monopolization of the VR fitness space. After the lengthy court battle, now the FTC says it’s no longer pursuing the suit to block Meta’s acquisition of Within.
Update (February 27th, 2023): As previously reported by Bloomberg, the FTC lost an important final step to officially block Meta’s acquisition of Within. At the time though, the process was still pending a possible FTC appeal.
Now the FTC announced it is abandoning the suit and will not appeal, which will now allow Meta to officially ink the deal to acquire Within. The original report follows below:
Original Article (February 2nd, 2023): Unreleased documents from the closed court proceedings appear to vindicate Meta’s acquisition of Within, Bloomberg reports, citing people familiar with the ruling. The sealed decision was made Wednesday morning by US District Judge Edward Davila in San Jose, California, which effectively denies the FTC’s request for a preliminary injunction to block the acquisition.
The final outcome of the trial isn’t entirely official just yet though. It’s said Judge Davila also issued a temporary restraining order with the aim of pausing Meta from closing the transaction for a further week, allowing time for the FTC to make an appeal. Provided the reports are accurate, the chances of the FTC potentially clawing back from the loss seem fairly slim at this point.
Last July, the FTC under sitting Chair Lina Khan revealed it had filed a motion aimed at blocking the deal with a federal court in a 3–2 decision, which aimed at reigning in Meta’s ability to “buy market position instead of earning it on the merits,” FTC Bureau of Competition Deputy Director John Newman said at the time.
Neither Meta nor the FTC has commented on the report regarding Meta’s win. In a statement to the New York Times about the matter in July, Meta called the FTC’s position “based on ideology and speculation, not evidence. The idea that this acquisition would lead to anticompetitive outcomes in a dynamic space with as much entry and growth as online and connected fitness is simply not credible.” Adding that the lawsuit would send “a chilling message to anyone who wishes to innovate in VR.”
Over the past four years, Meta has gone unchallenged in several VR studio acquisitions, including Beat Games (Beat Saber), Sanzaru Games (Asgard’s Wrath), Ready at Dawn (Lone Echo & Echo Arena), Downpour Interactive (Onward), BigBox VR (Population: One), Camouflaj (Marvel’s Iron Man VR), Twisted Pixel (Wilson’s Heart, Path of the Warrior), and Armature Studio (Resident Evil 4 VR port for Quest 2).
In particular, the FTC used Meta’s acquisition of Beat Saber as evidence that the company already had engineers with the skill set to both expand Beat Saber into fitness and to build a VR dedicated fitness app from scratch, an FTC court filing stated, maintaining that buying Within “was not the only way Meta could have developed the production capabilities and expertise needed to create a premium VR fitness experience.”
Fitness has become a huge part of the Meta Quest experience, whether that’s a casual rhythm videogame or a far more serious, workout-focused app. Keeping track of everything since 2020 is Oculus Move, giving you basic in-headset stats such as Move minutes and estimated calories burnt. Now the Move app is getting an upgrade, adding new features such as phone and Apple Heath integration.
With Apple hosting its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) yesterday, announcing new health features for its watch and iPhone platforms, Meta’s has got in on the action by giving users the option to sync their stats with Apple Health. Whether you’re working out in virtual reality (VR) or not, you’ll be able to sync everything together, automatically tracking those fitness routines on your iPhone or Apple Watch.
How to set up Move with Apple Health
“Connect Move with the Oculus mobile app,” (see below).
“Tap on the “Connected Apps” tab at the top.”
“Tap on the toggle next to “Apple Health” to enable syncing. You need to provide permissions for both “Active Energy” and “Workouts” to fully enable this feature.”
For non-Apple users, the Oculus Move app has become easier to use as it now integrates with the mobile app, a feature Meta previously revealed back in March 2022. So you can now see all your stats without having to jump into VR all the time.
How to set up Move on the Oculus App
“From the Move app in VR, tap on Settings in the bottom right corner.”
“Scroll down to “Connect Move to Oculus Mobile App” and toggle the switch on.”
“Your Move stats, including information like Move minutes, calories burned, and goals, will be encrypted and stored on our servers so you can track your fitness progress from the Oculus mobile app.”
“You can disconnect your Move stats from the Oculus mobile app at any time by going to your Move settings, and toggling the switch off for “Connect Move to Oculus Mobile App” while in-headset.”
When it comes to fitness on Meta Quest you’ve got plenty of software and hardware accessory options to pick from. Join up with monthly subscription workout apps like Supernatural and FitXR, or grab controller grips and new silicone facial interface covers to wipe the sweat away.
All these features have now begun to roll out, so you may not see them appear right away. For continued updates for Meta Quest, keep reading gmw3.
With its focus on virtual reality (VR) fitness, FitXR for Meta Quest not only offers energetic workouts but also the chance to exercise with professional athletes. Having seen Guinness World Record Holder Zion Clark join earlier in the year, for June FitXR welcomes two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and WBO World Champion, Nicola Adams.
Celebrating Pride month, Adams is a professional boxer and LGBTQ+ advocate and spokesperson, supporting the community by making fitness universally accessible and inclusive. Nicola kicks off FitXR’s Pride celebration with her first Box class, Boxing Gold, running through June. Additionally, Nicola will lead Box and Warm Up Cool Down classes to be released on a monthly basis.
“I’m delighted to call myself a FitXR trainer,” said Adams in a statement. “I’m a big gamer and I obviously love to work out so FitXR brings together two of my personal passions. My hope is that I can inspire people to get more active to build and maintain a healthy lifestyle. I’d also like to help grow confidence and show that fitness can indeed be fun.”
Away from her boxing career, Adams appeared on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing breaking new ground for the show with the first-ever same sex pairing. Whilst her documentary Lioness: The Nicola Adams Story premiered on Amazon Prime late last year.
“Our mission at FitXR is to offer inclusive fitness for all so we’re proud to support and educate via Pride-themed class content during this important month of acknowledgement and celebration,” said Kelly Cosentino, Director of Fitness at FitXR. “We’re also thrilled to add the amazing and inspirational Nicola Adams to our roster of talented trainers. And it’s wonderful to have Garret back with us, as he was always a FitXR member-favourite. It’s shaping up to be an exciting month and the team at FitXR is here for it!”
In addition to Nicola’s involvement, FitXR will be adding further Pride-themed content. There’s a new Rooftop Pride environment for the Box, HIIT and Dance studios this month, music from LGBTQ+ unsigned artists; FitXR trainers Karma and Frida will host two vogue-inspired dance classes, House of Stylz and House of Passion, and previous FitXR trainer Garret Caillouet returns with HIIT class Powered by Pride.
FitXR is a subscription-based fitness app exclusive to the Meta Quest platform with 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 gmw3.
Meta is expanding its Oculus Move VR fitness tracker to new devices beyond Quest.
As announced in a blog post today, you’ll soon be able to merge your Move stats into the Oculus Android and iOS apps so that you have a quick view of any workouts you’ve done in VR on a given day. iOS users can go a step further with integration with Apple Health, meaning you can track workout progress for exercises both in and out of VR in one play. This is an optional addition for the app that will start rolling out next month.
Meta says it will not use this information to influence the ads users see on its platforms. Oh and, yes, the company is still calling the service Oculus Move, despite the Oculus brand having been now almost entirely replaced by the Meta branding, right down to the logo you see when you boot up the headset.
VR workouts have become an increasingly appealing prospect since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with some platforms like Supernatural and FitXR even launching monthly subscription services on Quest headsets. Meta itself is set to acquire the former company, though a report in late 2021 claimed that the FTC had opened an antitrust probe into the potential deal. The company also plans to release an ‘Active Pack’ of accessories for Quest 2 this year that includes controller grips and more.
Are you going to bring your Oculus Move stats to smartphones next month? Let us know in the comments below!
There’s yet another fitness-focused VR boxing subscription service on the way to Quest. This time it’s Liteboxer.
Set to release on March 3, Liteboxer has you punching targets to the beat. You’ll get tips and tricks from trainers, and the game tracks the power, accuracy, and timing of your punch.
Liteboxer Coming To Quest
Unlike other rhythm-based games, Liteboxer sees you working with a terminal that lights up where you need to hit rather than a constant stream of notes coming towards you like in Beat Saber. Music, meanwhile, promises tracks from Justin Bieber, Bon Jovi, The Weeknd, and Imagine Dragons amongst others.
Liteboxer hopes to compete with Supernatural and FitXR, joining the list of VR apps with a monthly subscription service. We recently updated our list of the best apps to get you moving in VR and published a guide on how to get started. As for Liteboxer, membership costs $18.99 a month, though there’s a free seven-day trial for anyone that wants to take a look.
Fitness has become a big part of the VR landscape since the launch of the original Quest a few years ago. If you’re looking for something that lets you experience what VR fitness has to offer with a one-time fee, we quite enjoyed the recently-released Les Mills Bodycombat.
Will you be trying out Liteboxer? Let us know in the comments below!
Want to work out and exercise in VR, but not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered with our VR exercise guide.
It’s becoming increasingly common to exercise in VR. What might seem like a gimmick is becoming increasingly legitimate and popular, with more options than ever to tailor a VR workout to your needs.
Here’s our guide on what headset, apps and accessories will work best for you.
[When you purchase items through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission from those sales.]
Which VR Headset For Virtual Workouts?
When it comes to workouts and exercising in VR, the Meta Quest 2 is the best headset for the job, for a couple of reasons.
First of all, it’s standalone, so there’s no other equipment required and it’s a fully portable device. You won’t have to manage any wires or other connections while working out, and you can use it anywhere in a pinch, even while travelling. It’s versatile and the most worry-free headset while in operation, which is what you want if you’re working out.
It also has far and away the best library of VR workout apps and experiences. While some of those apps are also available on other platforms, the Quest platform is becoming the place to be for lifestyle VR users. It’s already attracted more interest from fitness and workout developers than any other headset, and we expect that to continue.
We’ll be focusing on the Quest 2 below for these reasons, but if you already have a PC VR or PSVR headset, some of the info should still apply. Just check which apps and accessories are available for your particular headset.
There are two types of workouts in VR — those that are specifically designed as such, usually featuring sessions with standard workout activities like squats and boxing, and other games or apps that weren’t specifically designed for working out, but can be used in that way regardless.
For workout-specific apps, we’d recommend looking into Supernatural, Les Mills Bodycombat, FitXR, Holofit or VZFit. Each has different advantages, features and workout types, along with different pricing models — one-off payments vs subscription models.
For other games that can be used in a workout capacity, maybe look at experiences like Beat Saber, Pistol Whip, Until You Fall, OhShape or Thrill of the Fight. These aren’t workout apps right off the bat, but you’ll be able to tailor the experience to your needs once you’re familiar with them, providing you with some high-intensity exercise sessions.
While not necessary, there are a few accessories that might help make VR workouts more comfortable.
If you’re still using the standard Quest head strap, something a bit more secure might help with weight distribution and comfort. The official Elite Strap is a good option for this.
Working out with a headset on your face will probably make things quite sweaty — an alternative facial interface or cover, like those available from VRCover, can help slick sweat away and ensure you standard interface doesn’t get gross over time.
Likewise, if you want to minimize sweat and slipperiness when using the Touch controllers, a rubber grip like the ones available from Kiwi or AMVR might be a good option.
Working out in virtual reality (VR) should be an activity that everyone can enjoy, no matter their physical abilities. To highlight this fact, pro athlete, author and motivational speaker, Zion Clark, will be collaborating with the FitXR team on a range of classes that can be played whilst seated.
Zion Clark. Image credit: FitXR
Due to caudal regression syndrome, Clark was born with no legs but that hasn’t stopped him from becoming a Guinness World Record holder as the fastest man on two hands over 20 metres with a time of 4.78 seconds. He’s also aiming to qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games – wrestling and seated 100M in track respectively. You’ll also find him on Netflix in a short documentary titled Zion.
Clark will choreograph classes for FitXR’s Box and HIIT studios, with his first Box class “Ready for Anything” debuting today. Over the coming months, additional classes will be added plus his avatar will also appear later this year.
“I believe in the FitXR mission of making fitness fun and inclusive for all,” said Clark in a statement. “I wanted to partner with FitXR to create these workout classes because they understand that fitness is not one-size-fits-all. Together we’re creating content that is accessible to a broad range of people, regardless of their experience, goals or mobility. I hope I can encourage people to look past their limitations – mental or physical – and start being more active. If I can inspire people to commit to living a more balanced lifestyle through routine exercise, that’s a win for me.”
“Since its inception, FitXR has always been about inclusivity and providing fitness options that cater to all,” Sam Cole, Co-Founder & CEO of FitXR adds. “It’s a foundation of our business model and I’m so thrilled to elevate our pledge to fitness inclusivity through our partnership with Zion. We’re excited for him to bring his unique passion and sense of perseverance to FitXR.”
FitXR is a subscription-based fitness app exclusive to the Meta Quest platform with 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 gmw3.
