What They Say
Protocol had an interesting article about FixitXR, which wants to bring XR to the fitness industry. The company has developed from an earlier business, BoxVR which encouraged VR users to box a virtual opponent, moving to avoid punches.
The firm believes that there are plenty of consumers out there who wouldn’t necessarily buy a VR headset for gaming, but could give it another look for fitness. FitXR added its first non-boxing workout to its Oculus Quest app last month: The FitXR dance studio now lets users break a sweat to various dance routines. It wants to bring dance to PlayStation VR and PC VR in the coming months as well, and Cole told me the company is looking to launch at least one additional workout category in 2021.
FitXR has seen a major lift from the Quest 2, with Cole telling me that sales increased by 4x following the release of the new headset in mid-October.
What We Think
Really, I like virtual fitness – I have had various PC-driven bike trainers for eight or nine years. However, I find VR headsets sweaty even without exercise. On that basis, this kind of app will struggle until the arrival of something like a set of sports glasses, I think. Once they arrive at a good price, they could prove very popular. (BR)
