In virtual-reality gym, worlds of gaming and exercise collide – KTVU San Francisco

In virtual-reality gym, worlds of gaming and exercise collide

Take a peek at the future of fitness with KTVU's Henry Lee who got a workout at a virtual reality gym in San Francisco.

KTVU crime reporter Henry Lee got a chance to experience a virtual-reality gym in San Francisco the other day.

"I dont know whats real anymore!" he said, waving his hands while appearing discombobulated in a VR headset.

An explanation might be in order.

Henrys assignment was to visit the Black Box Virtual Reality Gym on Market Street in San Francisco. He met up with general manager Javi Garza.

"We are the worlds first reality gym. So basically were combining VR and gaming with serious fitness," Garza said.

That got Henry worried, as he usually deals with real-life news. Hes not a gamer, and he says hes not "seriously fit."

"We know traditional gyms are not for everybody. It can feel like a chore," Garza said.

Thats certainly true for Henry. But for this assignment, he got ready. Before dawn, he did some cardio with his wife at home.

He also decided to create his makeshift VR squat by donning a sleep mask, his sons earmuffs and his DVR remote. (Henry asks that you please excuse his form.)

He also did some running. "Boy! This is some hard work," he said while hoofing it on a hill.

But it turns out, this gym isnt about cardio but rather resistance training and muscle endurance. And everythings specially tailored for you.

"Our workouts, theyre very unique and are customized to each individual persons threshold," Garza said.

Even if Black Boxs motto is "you are the hero" you dont have to be a hero.

Henry has seen videos online in which people wearing VR headsets fall flat on their faces.

Henry asked Garza, "So you dont think Im going to fall why not?"

"No, because the room is perfectly scaled, so you know where you have to go to," Garza replied.

And then, it was time to strap on.

"Boy, I feel like a superhero already," Henry said after attaching special sensors on his arms.

"Very Wonder Woman-esque," Garza said.

It was surreal.

"Where did everyone go?" Henry exclaimed. "This is, this is like the Matrix. This is, this is - where did you guys go? Hold on, is this even a real bottle?" he asked grasping at what looked like a tangible bottle.

"No," Garza said, laughing.

Henry said he could feel his Hokas sneakers, but it was more like hocus-pocus, because he couldnt see his shoes through the headset.

He was connected to a surround-sound personal training system, an automated cable pulley machine.

He did rows. Chest presses. And squats. (Again, please excuse his form.)

But in the VR world, he was breaking through gates, destroying the enemy crystal and earning points. He was racking up gamer cred and feeling it in his muscles.

"Its like an alternate universe," Henry said once he took off the gear.

"Yeah, I think thats the whole purpose behind Black Box VR," said Garcia. We want you to be so immersed in what youre doing that youre forgetting that youre exercising."

That certainly happened. Henry admitted that he was a little scared at first, but in reality, he had a blast.

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In virtual-reality gym, worlds of gaming and exercise collide - KTVU San Francisco