There’s sweat dripping from my forehead and I can feel it down my back as well. I picked the wrong day to wear a jumper and jeans to test out a VR boxing experience. Sam Cole, co-founder at FITAR, a virtual reality and augmented reality studio has invited me to try out BOXVR, currently available in beta via Steam Early Access for the HTC Vive, with plans to bring it to other platforms including PlayStation VR.
I’d describe BOXVR as a cross between Guitar Hero and Moov’s boxing workouts. There’s HIIT class-style music playing in the background as I’m handed a pair of Vive controllers, which need to be turned slightly on their sides and transform into a pair of virtual boxing gloves. After the warm up where I learn how to jab, upper cut and hook, I’m thrown into workout mode. Through the six minute power session there’s spheres flying at me that I need to attack with the correct punch style and objects I need to jump over and duck down not so subtly introducing squats into the fitness equation. The Vive headset does have a habit of moving around as I make my way through the session, but I feel like I achieved what Cole and co-founder Sameer Baroova hoped to achieve and that was getting a proper workout in virtual reality.
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Source: Wereable