AusLeisure

Leading commercial fitness equipment Life Fitness has announced a partnership with VirZOOM, a maker of virtual reality games, to pilot a virtual reality solution that can be used with fitness equipment.

Unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2017 in Las Vegas, USA earlier this month, the partnership will see pilot virtual reality competitions staged at seleced commercial fitness facilities around the world over the comning months.

Introducing the link, Amad Amin, Life Fitness’ Product Director of Digital Experience, explained “introducing virtual reality to our Life Fitness equipment is an exciting step in the evolution of providing completely immersive and engaging experiences to workouts.

“Our partnership with VirZOOM is a natural next step in building on our workout experience. Whether you are competitive or want to escape and enjoy your workout, there is something in the virtual reality experience for everyone.”

This pilot partnership launches the VirZOOM solution, which transforms Life Fitness’ Discover SE3 bikes into a virtual reality experience.

The VirZOOM Module allows VirZOOM software to access data from the bikes such as pedal speed, resistance buttons and heart rate which enable VirZOOM gameplay.

Users will be able to use the resistance buttons on the bikes to control gameplay when the VirZOOM Module is plugged into the console and enabled.

Life Fitness was the first fitness equipment manufacturer to open portions of its product platform via APIs in 2012, allowing developers access so third-parties can create applications that work directly with Life Fitness equipment. In so doing, VirZOOM was able to use Life fitness APIs to connect the VR solution with the company’s bikes, allowing for an engaging VR experience.

VirZOOM Director of Business Development Spencer Honeyman added “the VirZOOM and Life Fitness partnership expands the world of virtual reality into commercial fitness facilities.

“Leveraging VirZOOM technology and games with Life Fitness equipment harnesses the users’ emotional response in VR and motivates them to move. Using the pedal stroke to operate a car, tank, Pegasus and more motivates exercisers to move like never before – and enjoy themselves while they get a workout.”

For more information click here to contact Life Fitness via their entry in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.

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