I’m a runner… heck, it says so in the name of this blog. I don’t write about other forms of fitness training because mostly what I do is, well, run. I know there are benefits to incorporating other forms of working out into the weekly routine, I’m just really bad at doing it. But when something NEW comes around that approaches working out in a “different” way, I always find it interesting.
I was asked to take a look at a new concept by the legendary Les Mills programs. It’s called IMMERSIVE FITNESS. The idea is pretty simple, but it’s something that (as far as I know) has yet to be done before. Take a fitness class and add in rich graphics making it interactive in a group atmosphere… and “reinvent everything you know about exercise.” Check out the video starring Genevieve Aitken, a 25-year-old stunt performer/actress:
Here are some quotes from the site:
Imagine doing squats in a LES MILLS GRIT™ class… now imagine ducking to avoid objects flying overhead in a virtual obstacle course. Imagine doing jabs in a BODYCOMBAT™ class … now imagine having to punch objects as they hurtle toward you from the distance. Imagine doing a hill climb in RPM™ – now imagine scaling a giant mountain at night in the Alps.
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The Project: IMMERSIVE FITNESS™ surrounds participants with cinema quality video content projected onto screens of a purpose-built studio. Instructors cue exercise moves synchronised perfectly with music and graphics, creating a truly immersive fitness experience. The new concept is the integration of technology, exercise education and creative design.
It’s a combination of working out and adding in technology. Described as being inspired by “immersive tents at music festivals and the video innovation at concerts like Beyonce and Kanye West” IMMERSIVE FITNESS is looking to re-shape the way we work out.
Les Mills and Reebok have teamed up to help promote ‘The Project’ through Instagram here and there are some pretty sweet photos and videos for you to see what’s going on. They’ve created an interactive world for your workout… but taking it a step further and doing it in a group atmosphere. We’ve seen it happen on smaller screens on a stationary bike, or seen it in your living room on a gaming system, but this brings it back to the community aspect where you get to workout with others and feed off their intensity and energy.
Right now, there is a 5-city tour happening through Europe and there are plans for a US Tour in 2015 with pop-up and built studios to allow you to experience IMMERSIVE FITNESS. AsI stated above, I don’t really find myself in the gym or studio too often, but bet your butt that I would be down for jumping over cars and battling monsters… on a screen of course. If something tried to attack me in real life, I would probably throw on my running shoes and run away at a comfortable 8 minute pace for 20 or so miles. At that point, I would assume that whatever was chasing me had tired. If not, looks like I might need to take more of these classes.
The hashtag: #immersivefitness
The next level of fitness is here. IMMERSIVE FITNESS™ surrounds participants with cinema quality video content projected onto screens of a purpose-built studio. Exercise moves synchronize perfectly with music and graphics, creating a truly immersive fitness experience. Learn more!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Les Mills. The opinions and text are all mine.
