In virtual-reality gym, worlds of gaming and exercise collide <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
KTVU crime reporter Henry Lee got a chance to experience a virtual-reality gym in San Francisco the other day.<\/p>\n
\"I dont know whats real anymore!\" he said, waving his hands while appearing discombobulated in a VR headset.<\/p>\n
An explanation might be in order. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\"We are the worlds first reality gym. So basically were combining VR and gaming with serious fitness,\" Garza said.<\/p>\n
That got Henry worried, as he usually deals with real-life news. Hes not a gamer, and he says hes not \"seriously fit.\"<\/p>\n
\"We know traditional gyms are not for everybody. It can feel like a chore,\" Garza said.<\/p>\n
Thats certainly true for Henry. But for this assignment, he got ready. Before dawn, he did some cardio with his wife at home.<\/p>\n
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.)<\/p>\n
He also did some running. \"Boy! This is some hard work,\" he said while hoofing it on a hill.<\/p>\n
But it turns out, this gym isnt about cardio but rather resistance training and muscle endurance. And everythings specially tailored for you.<\/p>\n
\"Our workouts, theyre very unique and are customized to each individual persons threshold,\" Garza said.<\/p>\n
Even if Black Boxs motto is \"you are the hero\" you dont have to be a hero.<\/p>\n
Henry has seen videos online in which people wearing VR headsets fall flat on their faces.<\/p>\n
Henry asked Garza, \"So you dont think Im going to fall why not?\"<\/p>\n
\"No, because the room is perfectly scaled, so you know where you have to go to,\" Garza replied.<\/p>\n
And then, it was time to strap on.<\/p>\n
\"Boy, I feel like a superhero already,\" Henry said after attaching special sensors on his arms.<\/p>\n
\"Very Wonder Woman-esque,\" Garza said.<\/p>\n
It was surreal.<\/p>\n
\"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.<\/p>\n
\"No,\" Garza said, laughing.<\/p>\n
Henry said he could feel his Hokas sneakers, but it was more like hocus-pocus, because he couldnt see his shoes through the headset.<\/p>\n
He was connected to a surround-sound personal training system, an automated cable pulley machine.<\/p>\n
He did rows. Chest presses. And squats. (Again, please excuse his form.)<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\"Its like an alternate universe,\" Henry said once he took off the gear.<\/p>\n
\"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.\"<\/p>\n
That certainly happened. Henry admitted that he was a little scared at first, but in reality, he had a blast.<\/p>\n
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In virtual-reality gym, worlds of gaming and exercise collide - KTVU San Francisco<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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 Continue reading