Immersive VR fitness is changing the way we approach and enjoy physical activity. With it, you can turn any space into a new training space, access a variety of new workouts regularly, and get fit with your friends, even if they’re not physically there.

Regular workouts can get repetitive and even boring at times, which can make it hard for you to stay motivated and avoid exercise burnout. Virtual reality fitness can potentially change the way exercise and the experiences that go with it are perceived.

It has been suggested that VR technology can enhance a person’s exercise experiences and potentially alter the experiences that occur within the session. In a study by Bird et al., it was found that using VR during exercise can have a positive influence on a person’s enjoyment, adherence to exercise, and our emotion.

VR fitness programs are good workouts

The advent of extended reality technologies has paved the way for more immersive technologies, not only in fields like gaming, education, and marketing, but also in fitness. While they may seem like games, VR fitness apps and programs pack a punch and give users a whole new way to work up a sweat.

In VR fitness, players use headsets and VR apps or programs, which can take the form of games or classes taught by top trainers. Users control their avatars using handheld controllers and by moving their body. Depending on the game or program you are using, you may have the same energy expenditure or experience as you would in more traditional workouts. These can be customized if you want something that is more challenging or intense.

In addition, VR fitness programs offer great convenience. They allow you to exercise alone at home or exercise remotely with friends. Virtual reality equipment also does not take up as much space, compared to conventional fitness equipment.

Just like traditional workouts, VR fitness can help users get in shape. You can get your heart rate up, while engaging your different senses with beautiful scenery, cool music, and vibrant controllers. In some cases, the built-in trackers in VR headsets can record 200-400 calories burned with each workout.

An innovative approach to physical fitness

FitXR recently introduced new features and experiences for its members, taking immersive VR fitness to a whole new level. This virtual fitness class offers a variety of fitness classes categorized into three studios: Box, Dance, and HIIT. Addressing the problem of monotony in workouts, FitXR offers new content, along with new environments, classes and trainers, as well as music for exercise.

These additions are designed to make VR fitness experiences better tailored to members’ specific needs and include the following:

metaavatars

The introduction of Meta Avatars further personalizes your VR fitness experience. You can create and customize your own avatar with your Meta Quest headset. According to FitXR co-founder and CEO Sam Cole, giving members access to more personal avatars improves experiences. This customization ability also allows them to create a look using “items that are unique to them.”

multiplayer meta

Get more friends to exercise with you without having to share a room code to join a class. Create a multiplayer class and invite all your Meta Friends to join. This new feature was released on July 21.

New Trainer Avatars

The new coach avatars will feature world-renowned athletes Zion Clark and Nicola Adams. Zion’s avatar underwent first-of-its-kind technical developments and design advancements to capture optimal functionality for your seated HIIT classes.

Zion Clark HIIT Classes

Zion Clark’s first beginner class, “Upper Body Burnout,” debuted on July 19. This program features seated HIIT classes taught by celebrated athlete Zion Clark.

“Up to this point, avatar creation was based on full-body mechanics. We were challenged to get Zion’s avatar to work properly since Zion doesn’t have legs.” Cole said in an interview. “This involved changing the way we approach our motion capture sessions to eliminate lower body motion. Other VR fitness platforms don’t offer this kind of inclusion or customization.”

Nicola Adams Classes

British Olympian, former professional boxer and LGBTQ+ advocate Nicola Adams will make her debut in August. She will be teaching at the Warm Up Cool Down Studio.

Redefining the physical state of virtual reality

The goal of these programs and new additions is to create a more inclusive, unique, and fun fitness experience that spans both the real and virtual worlds.

“FitXR approaches VR fitness in the most innovative way by offering users an experience like no other.” Cole said. “We combine virtual reality, fitness and games to create an immersive experience that becomes everybody our users get moving, especially through inclusive classes like Zion’s new seated HIIT workouts.”

Ultimately, the goal of these new features and classes, according to Cole, is to take VR fitness to the next level and allow users to fully transport themselves into its immersive landscapes. “We want our users to feel a deeper connection to FitXR and the new custom avatars and the addition of the Meta Friends Multiplayer feature help further this mission.” He explained.

Additionally, FitXR is on a mission to continue to embed inclusivity and accessibility not only in VR fitness, but in the fitness world as a whole.

“As we continue to release new features, We will continue to prioritize diversity and inclusion. This will allow us to introduce VR fitness to new users and help us continue to grow into a space where everyone is welcome and motivated to exercise.” Cole said.