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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 fitness routine

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

The trouble with a fettle routine is just that — it's a routine. And it can get deadening and dull very quickly. I bask new challenges and innovations when it comes to my workouts, and I'm looking to alter things up with colder atmospheric condition keeping me at home more frequently. 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 join its library of full-trunk cardio workouts. Download the app to an Oculus and in minutes, you tin can throwing punches in the safe confines of your home gym (or in this minor apartment dweller's case, my living room).

I was a picayune dubious at start that I could actually work upwardly a sweat using VR, but I tin tell you lot: I did and I ended up 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 that, the sheer fun of it totally saved my workout routine from falling into a oestrus.

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Supernatural on Oculus Quest, explained

Supernatural is an app for the Oculus Quest that costs $xviii.99 per month or $179.99 per year. If you've ever tried Beat Saber, it'due south somewhat similar.

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

Like other connected fitness apps, Supernatural comes with a companion mobile app that allows you to add together friends, go on score and share photos and videos of your workout. It is also compatible with Apple Watch and most major fitness trackers.

Their get-go modality, Supernatural Flow, involves swinging with lightsaber-similar bats at flight orbs. When you first get a started, an instructor guides you lot through cracking the orbs with unlike hands, squatting and turning around in the expanse yous've designated as your Oculus play area.

Supernatural Boxing is similar, but you lot punch with your hands instead of swinging bats. You throw jabs, crosses and hooks at the orbs, while ducking and weaving under flying bars.

In both, you work out to over 1,000 hitting songs from all genres, including popular, rap, rock, land and even classical and jazz. The app also offers meditation and recovery sessions.

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

My Supernatural workout left me sweating

A woman punches orbs in Supernatural workout GIF

(Paradigm credit: Supernatural)

Later on downloading Supernatural to an Oculus Quest headset, I took a brusk quiz about my fitness level and preferences. Then, I fired upwardly a Getting Started programme led past Leanne Pedante, Supernatural'south caput of fitness and a Muay Thai athlete. After a quick warm-up and instruction, I found myself in the Yuanyang Rice Terraces of China and belongings two bats — a white one in my right manus, a black one 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 mode through and pivoting to a new orb-releasing portal.

Later on I felt comfortable with the movements, I tried out one of the new boxing programs. This was a low-intensity conditioning called Boxing Basics, led by Mark Harari and fix in the Advertizing Deir in the ancient Jordanian city of Petra. The thumping soundtrack included Kanye West's All of the Light'south and Lupe Fiasco's Superstar.

Even at depression intensity, my heart charge per unit started ascension as I began jabbing at the orbs and weaving under and to the side of incoming bars. Later the 20-infinitesimal session (including warm-upwardly and cool down), I left slightly breathless and sweaty — the ideal event for basic cardio. Other, high-intensity sessions left me breathing heavily and perspiring profusely. I was tired merely exhilarated in the manner that a expert workout should make you lot feel.

Demo of boxing program in Supernatural app on Oculus

(Image credit: Kelly Woo/Tom'due south Guide)

Virtual reality fitness may get me through winter

The VR element is what separates Supernatural from following along to an instructor on a YouTube video. In the example of the latter, I'g never sure if I'1000 doing something properly or if my form is correct. I but copy their movements equally best every bit I tin can. With Supernatural, I felt like I achieved a better opinion merely considering I had to time my punches and swings to nail orbs, pivot to reach others, and duck a certain amount and in a sure management to avoid confined.

Supernatural sets itself apart from some of the other VR fitness apps with their stunning visuals. Every time I put on a new conditioning, I eagerly waited to see where information technology was taking place. I was delighted that most workouts push you to pin and turn, and so you can accept in the unabridged 360-caste experience. It really did feel like I was traveling effectually the globe to work out.

Aside from the satisfaction of a proper workout, I also had a blast. The sessions had the feel of a game — sort of like playing Fruit Ninja just 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 budgeted, I know I'll be less inclined to go outside to work out (and I've completely given up my gym membership). I was resigned to the same former routine of jogging on my treadmill, but at present I can sweat on a Tibetan glacier. Ain't technology thousand?

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Kelly is a senior writer covering streaming media for Tom's Guide, so basically, she watches Goggle box for a living. Previously, she was a freelance entertainment writer for Yahoo, Vulture, TV Guide and other outlets. When she'due south not watching TV and movies for work, she'due south watching them for fun, seeing live music, writing songs, knitting and gardening.

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

Posted by: davisthomene.blogspot.com

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