In the next evolution of the world’s most popular VR fitness app, Les Mills BODYCOMBAT XR brings Mixed Reality experiences into the mix – a feature that merges virtual reality with the user’s actual reality. Paired with the META Quest 3 VR headset, the new app offers a virtual training space like no other, fusing fitness and gaming to create an immersive workout environment.
What is the difference between VR and XR?
Virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality – it’s all quite confusing for the uninitiated. With the Meta Quest 3 headset spruiking mixed reality (MR) as a key feature, it’s worth discussing what that actually means for the user.
Virtual reality (VR) describes technology that creates a fully immersive, digital environment. VR completely blocks out the real world, replacing it with a simulation and thus tricking the sensory system with sounds and imagery.
Augmented reality (AR) allows digital elements to be superimposed into the real-world environment. In an AR experience. the user sees a merging of the real world and digital elements, but there is usually no ability to interact with the virtual components, rather, they are ‘overlaid’ on the real world view.
Mixed reality (MR) is the next evolution of AR and allows not only the superposition of virtual elements into the real-world view but also lets the user interact with those elements. MR experiences receive input from the environment and will react according to that interaction.
XR or Extended Reality is an umbrella term that encompasses the enhancements of AR, MR, and VR.
What is the Meta Quest 3 VR Headset?
Meta announced the launch of their latest mixed-reality headset, the Meta Quest 3 in June 2023 – a worthy competitor for Apple’s Vision Pro headset at a more accessible price point. Its release date in Australia was October 10th.
The Meta Quest 3 comes with a pair of controllers, which supply force feedback for the interactive MR capability. It offers an immersive experience for gaming, fitness, and entertainment. Priced at around $800 for the base model, the Meta Quest 3 is sure to make some Christmas wish lists this year!
What to expect from BODYCOMBAT XR?
The new Les Mills app was developed with XR gaming specialist, Odders. Building on the huge success of BODYCOMBAT VR, the BODYCOMBAT XR app offers all the immersive workout thrills from its predecessor, plus MR mode – giving users a previously unimaginable workout experience.
BODYCOMBAT® is enjoyed by millions of people each week across thousands of gyms and fitness clubs worldwide. BODYCOMBAT XR participants are met with multi-level martial arts challenges against backdrops of intergalactic deserts and neo-city skylines. Les Mills program directors Rachael Newsham and Dan Cohen – familiar faces to BODYCOMBAT aficionados, are right there to coach and motivate users through a gamified workout. The result is an amped-up battle that will exercise both the mind and body!
Rachael Newsham and Dan Cohen, Program Directors of BODYCOMBAT, said:
“The BODYCOMBAT XR app brings a fist-full of thrills as you’re transported into the middle of the most popular martial arts workout on the planet. Gamification and next-level innovation combine with the incredible moves, music, and instruction that BODYCOMBAT is famous for, creating an exhilarating experience that’s so fun you forget you’re even exercising.
Our mission at Les Mills is to create a fitter planet and we hope the launch of the BODYCOMBAT XR app enables us to continue to reach new audiences and break down barriers to exercise, helping more people to start their fitness journey and reap the rewards of an active lifestyle.”
Jaime Pichardo Garcia, Odders Labs Business Director added: “We’ve always strived to
pioneer in quality and innovation, and the new MR mode on the Meta Quest 3 allowed us to
take the BODYCOMBAT XR workouts to new heights, allowing for bigger and safer ranges
of motion for the users. Go even harder without worrying about your surroundings, and enjoy
the lighter weight on the headset, and get a feel of your own home gym with a virtual portal
into the world of BODYCOMBAT XR.”
Les Mills BODYCOMBAT XR Features:
The BODYCOMBAT XR game can be downloaded as an app onto the Meta Quest headset. It offers 25 training sessions ranging from basic to advanced levels and puts the user in a variety of stunning, simulated environments including a desert landscape on Mars, a desolate snowy tundra, a trip back to ancient Rome, and an evening in a Tokyo-inspired neo-city.
Noteworthy features of the game include:
- BODYCOMBAT’S SIGNATURE STYLE
Going beyond jabs, hooks, and uppercuts, the app includes new punch moves and knee strikes added to the dynamic fitness session. (Rachael Newsham shared an entertaining story at the 2023 Fuel Summit about overcoming the challenge of creating knee strikes with a handheld console… )
Fully gamified, participants will need to squat and slip to dodge walls, throw sky punches to break virtual targets, ram home hammer punches, and grab targets to slam with their knees!
- LEVELS FOR ALL ABILITIES
A broad variety of workouts including boxing fitness, speed workouts, core exercises, lower body, and more means that BODYCOMBAT XR can be adapted for everyone, from beginners to advanced enthusiasts.
- UNBEATABLE RESULTS
The app experience allows for tracking individual performance and all of the workouts have been scientifically designed to deliver results experience.
- FIRST-CLASS COACHES
World-famous Instructors and Les Mills celebrities, Dan Cohen and Rachael Newsham are on hand continuously to help hone technique and motivate players to push through each and every workout.
- AMAZING MUSIC
No Les Mills workout is complete without the banging soundtrack. BODYCOMBAT XR is no exception and features up-and-coming artists like Noam Dee and Fas Fash, specifically curated to drive motivation and boost energy levels during the workout.
- STUNNING VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS
Enjoy the sensory experience of eleven different virtual worlds that feature dreamlike, breathtaking settings to enrich the workout experience. What’s more, future software updates promise even more new landscapes to enjoy.
About Les Mills Asia Pacific
Les Mills is the global leader in group training and creator of over 23 programs including RPM®, BODYBALANCE®, BODYPUMP®, BODYCOMBAT®, BODYSTEP® and BODYATTACK®. Les Mills workouts are delivered by 130,000 certified Instructors in 21,000 gyms across 100 countries, as well as via the LES MILLS+ streaming platform and Virtual Reality (VR).
For 25 years, Les Mills Asia Pacific has been meeting the group fitness needs of clubs and Instructors in Australia and Southeast Asia. Les Mills Asia Pacific offers the Ultimate Group Fitness Solution to keep members connected to your club, and to reach new audiences with omnichannel fitness solutions.
To learn more about Les Mills Asia Pacific visit www.lesmills.com.au or follow Les Mills Asia Pacific on: Facebook | Instagram| LinkedIn
ABOUT ODDERS
Odders is an innovative XR development studio creating unique titles with a spin. Based in Seville, Spain, we develop consistent products with a spin by adding unique characteristics that make our titles stand out from the crowd.
With this focus on innovation, it was just a no-brainer to create a partnership with LES MILLS to bring the most innovative fitness experience to the XR market.
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