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I tried an Oculus Quest for working out — and it saved my fitness routine

I tried an Oculus Quest for working out — and it saved my fettle routine

A woman wearing an Oculus headset and punching object in Supernatural workout image
(Image credit: Supernatural)

The problem with a fitness routine is simply that — it's a routine. And information technology tin can get tedious and dull very quickly. I enjoy new challenges and innovations when it comes to my workouts, and I'm looking to alter things up with colder weather condition keeping me at habitation more than often. That's why I eagerly tried Supernatural, a virtual reality (VR) fitness app for the Oculus Quest.

On October 26, Supernatural released its newest modality, boxing, to bring together its library of full-body cardio workouts. Download the app to an Oculus and in minutes, you tin throwing punches in the safe confines of your dwelling house gym (or in this small apartment dweller's case, my living room).

I was a little dubious at first that I could actually work up a sweat using VR, but I tin tell y'all: I did and I ended upwards loving the blend of breathtaking settings, the variety of soundtracks, peppy and encouraging trainers and the unique qualities afforded by 360-degree virtual reality. More than that, the sheer fun of it totally saved my workout routine from falling into a rut.

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Supernatural on Oculus Quest, explained

Supernatural is an app for the Oculus Quest that costs $eighteen.99 per month or $179.99 per twelvemonth. If y'all've ever tried Vanquish Saber, it's somewhat similar.

Their motto is "Workout near, arrive" because all of their programs take place in high-definition, 360-degree locations from Chichen Itza to Decease Valley to the moon (literally — information technology's built from NASA panoramas and footage of the 1969 moon landing). The sessions are guided by coaches, each with their ain specialties and styles.

Like other connected fitness apps, Supernatural comes with a companion mobile app that allows you to add friends, keep score and share photos and videos of your workout. It is as well compatible with Apple Scout and about major fitness trackers.

Their first modality, Supernatural Flow, involves swinging with lightsaber-like bats at flying orbs. When you first get a started, an teacher guides you through neat the orbs with dissimilar easily, squatting and turning effectually in the surface area you've designated every bit your Oculus play expanse.

Supernatural Boxing is similar, but yous dial with your easily instead of swinging bats. Yous throw jabs, crosses and hooks at the orbs, while ducking and weaving under flying bars.

In both, y'all work out to over ane,000 hit songs from all genres, including pop, rap, rock, country and even classical and jazz. The app besides offers meditation and recovery sessions.

So far, Menses has 400-500 workouts, with new ones release daily. Boxing launched with eight workouts and will add new options every week. (Learn more at GetSupernatural.com)

My Supernatural conditioning left me sweating

A woman punches orbs in Supernatural workout GIF

(Image credit: Supernatural)

Subsequently downloading Supernatural to an Oculus Quest headset, I took a brusk quiz about my fettle level and preferences. Then, I fired up a Getting Started program led by Leanne Pedante, Supernatural'due south head of fitness and a Muay Thai athlete. After a quick warm-upwards and teaching, I found myself in the Yuanyang Rice Terraces of People's republic of china and belongings two bats — a white one in my right paw, a black 1 in my left hand. To the lively beats of "Walking on Sunshine" and "Take on Me," I swung my bats at the orbs flying toward me, matching the bat to the color of the orb.

In my ear, Leanne relayed helpful tips and tricks, such as swinging all the manner through and pivoting to a new orb-releasing portal.

Afterward I felt comfortable with the movements, I tried out one of the new boxing programs. This was a depression-intensity workout called Boxing Nuts, led past Marking Harari and set in the Advertisement Deir in the ancient Jordanian city of Petra. The thumping soundtrack included Kanye West's All of the Light's and Lupe Fiasco's Superstar.

Even at depression intensity, my heart rate started ascension every bit I began jabbing at the orbs and weaving under and to the side of incoming bars. Afterwards the 20-minute session (including warm-upward and cool downwards), I left slightly breathless and sweaty — the ideal result for basic cardio. Other, high-intensity sessions left me breathing heavily and perspiring profusely. I was tired but exhilarated in the way that a good conditioning should make y'all feel.

Demo of boxing program in Supernatural app on Oculus

(Image credit: Kelly Woo/Tom's Guide)

Virtual reality fitness may go me through wintertime

The VR element is what separates Supernatural from following along to an instructor on a YouTube video. In the example of the latter, I'm never sure if I'g doing something properly or if my form is correct. I just copy their movements as best as I tin can. With Supernatural, I felt similar I accomplished a better stance merely because I had to time my punches and swings to smash orbs, pin to reach others, and duck a certain corporeality and in a certain management to avoid bars.

Supernatural sets itself apart from some of the other VR fitness apps with their stunning visuals. Every time I put on a new workout, I eagerly waited to come across where information technology was taking identify. I was delighted that most workouts button yous to pivot and plow, so y'all tin take in the unabridged 360-degree experience. It really did experience like I was traveling around the world to piece of work out.

Aside from the satisfaction of a proper workout, I besides had a blast. The sessions had the feel of a game — sort of similar playing Fruit Ninja simply in three-D. While I didn't keep score with friends or vie for a place on a leaderboard, I celebrated whenever I achieved 100% accuracy on strikes.

With winter approaching, I know I'll exist less inclined to go exterior to piece of work out (and I've completely given up my gym membership). I was resigned to the same sometime routine of jogging on my treadmill, but now I can sweat on a Tibetan glacier. Ain't applied science grand?

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Kelly is a senior writer covering streaming media for Tom's Guide, so basically, she watches TV for a living. Previously, she was a freelance entertainment writer for Yahoo, Vulture, Goggle box Guide and other outlets. When she'south non watching TV and movies for work, she'south watching them for fun, seeing live music, writing songs, knitting and gardening.

Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/news/oculus-quest-workout-supernatural-boxing

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