Review: Liteboxer VR tries to shake up at-home workouts
Working out at home has been all the rage for the better part of two years since the pandemic began. Even though the trend of buying expensive exercise equipment has slowed down, as illustrated by Peloton’s recent struggles, I think for the most part, home fitness is here to stay.
Then it comes down to a few factors: types of workouts you’re interested in, available space and how much you’re willing to spend. This review covers a specific situation for those who want interactive, trainer-led workouts without spending $1,000 and up on equipment — or figuring out where to put it.
How would you like to try boxing … in virtual reality? The soon-to-be-released Liteboxer VR is more fun than I expected.
Liteboxer’s evolution
The image above is NOT Liteboxer VR. These are the physical versions of Liteboxer already on the market, one that’s freestanding (starting at $1,695) and the other that mounts to a wall (starting at $1,495). Over the last couple of years, it’s often been referred to as the “Peloton of boxing.”
Both are equipped with what’s called the Liteboxer shield and its force-detecting LED light pads. You punch these pads to the rhythm of music, hitting specific targets as they light up. Think of it as a game that can make a routine workout more immersive and fun.
You can follow along with the trainer on a smartphone or mount a tablet onto a dock included with Liteboxer. Yes, there’s a monthly fee to access the features, but more on that soon.
Now that you’re familiar with how the existing Liteboxer setups work let’s move on to the company’s latest product, Liteboxer VR. Trading the big hardware for an Oculus (now Meta) Quest 2 VR headset, you’re placed in a virtual ring where you shadowbox a digital version of the Liteboxer shield.
Whereas Liteboxer had a gaming feel before, this really elevates it to that status. Here are some of the features and highlights of Liteboxer VR:
- In-app trainers with new workouts daily
- Three modes (so far): Trainer Classes, Punch Tracks and Sparring Sessions
- Multiple difficulty levels to choose from
- Ability to compete in challenges with others
- Tracks personal stats and leaderboards
- Vast music library covering multiple genres
- Launches on March 3 for $18.99/mo. (following 7-day free trial)
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