FitXR receives a major update this week, with a host of tracks from both established and emerging artists being launched onto the platform. The introduction of commercially popular, recognizable songs to work out to was a major selling point touted by FitXR, with the resulting licensing costs used as a justification to turn FitXR into a subscription-only service rather than a one-time purchased base game with optional paid DLC.
The company signed a deal with Warner Music but up to now, that hadn’t really translated into all that much. CEO and co-founder Sam Cole’s promises that, just like a real-world group fitness club, FitXR would introduce its members to great workouts featuring both emerging and established artists were still to fully materialize.
Well, this licensing deal, as well as new ones with some other record labels are bearing fruit in July as we have a host of new tracks on the way. From today FitXR members will enjoy new Box, HIIT, and Dance workouts featuring tunes from labels such as Warner Music, Sony Music, Musical Freedom, Spinnin’ Records and Defected. Around 40 tracks have already been identified by FitXR, which I shall list below in a moment, and FitXR will hope its existing members feel that this gives them value for their $9.99 monthly subscription.
Their previous DLC model saw optional packs with four workouts and maybe an hour of music for a $9.99 or £7.99 fee. These were generally well-received and regarded by the community, so on the surface, this update, featuring recognizable artists and enough tracks to fill several albums should make members excited.
When the subscription model launched in mid-April, all current owners of FitXR were gifted a free 90-day subscription, so this large update, coming almost exactly three months later, is certainly timely, and FitXR will be hoping that those whose trial is about to expire will see enough value here to stay and become paying members.
The FitXR developers gave a press release statement which I’ve presented in full below;
FitXR Brings Heart-Pounding Tracks to Power its Classes
Leading VR Fitness Company Teams with Major & Indie International Music Labels
LONDON & NEW YORK – July 12, 2021 — FitXR, the leading VR/AR fitness company, is delivering on its promise of bringing new and exciting music for its members to enjoy while working out in its virtual fitness club. To bring this musical experience to life, FitXR is working with major and indie labels to provide a constant stream of new tracks for its members to discover. To start, these labels and artists include:
Sony Music:
Calvin Harris – Feel So Close
Musical Freedom:
Tiësto – Wow
Tiësto – My Whistle
Tiësto & 7 Skies featuring Rebmoe – My Frequency
Tiësto & Swacq – Party Time
Warner Music:
Anti-Up – Sensational
Krystal Clear – Neutron Dance
Sonny Fodera & Ella Eyre – Wired
Cloonee – Sun Goes Down
Magician featuring Years&Years – Sunlight
Obskur – Bayside
For A FoolO – Storm Queen (Clapstone Remix)
Franky Rozardo & Joe Goddard – No Judgment
Ba:sen – In Deep We Trust
Eyes in Fire – Blue Foundation (Michael Bibi Remix)
Duo – Sam Gellaitry
Spinnin’ Records:
Tujamo & Sidney Samson – Riverside (Reloaded)
Bingo Players – Rattle
Will Sparks & Danny Avila – Fat Beat
Defected:
Ashbah – Devotion
Saison featuring Leon Lincoln – The Last Time (Qubiko Remix)
Qubiko – U R, Set Me Free
John Summit – Deep End
ATFC – Dazzle
Audiojack – Stay Glued (FCL Weemix Edit)
Gerd – Work Da Tool
- Logan – How We Did (Friend Within Vocal Remix)
Human Movement – Help A Brother Out
Martin Badder – See It Through My Eyes
Eli Brown – Better When
Royal-T – Clouds
Sonny Fodera featuring Amber Jolene – Hold It Down
Gershon Jackson – Hands Together
Kings Of Tomorrow featuring April – Let Me Tell You Something (Sandy Rivera & C. Castell’s Remix)
Angelo Ferreri – I’m Talking To You
DJ Dove – Illusions (NY Stomp Tribute Mix)
Emanuel Satie – Your Body
Human Life – In It Together
Kiddy Smile – Teardrops In The Box
Circus Records
Flux Pavilion – I Got Something
Armada Records
Hospital Records
FitXR also recognizes that not all good music comes from those already signed to major and indie labels and intends to develop FitXR as a platform to give emerging artists the opportunity to showcase their music to a larger audience. The company plans to source new music for its workout classes from unsigned artists via an online submission process on the FitXR website.
“We’re so pleased to join forces with these music labels as we embark on our journey to curate new and exciting class tracks for workouts in our Box, HIIT, and Dance Studios,” said Sam Cole, Co-Founder, and CEO of FitXR. “Like so many other facets of our virtual fitness club, we’ve taken a cue from the group fitness class environment where you’re often introduced to new music you find interesting. As we know how important music is to keep us energized when exercising, we hope our members are inspired by the new songs featured from both these new and established artists.”
Opinion
I have to say I’m pretty excited about this announcement, and it feels that after a rather shaky launch, FitXR is starting to find its feet. Since April this is the third significant update from the FitXR team, following their introduction of a full 7 player group simultaneous multiplayer mode, and the launch of the genuinely excellent, and heart-pounding HIIT studio.
Quality music is essential for any group fitness club, both in the real world and virtual as it’s a primary motivational driver, inspiring us to push harder, for longer when good, and maybe causing us to give up if poor. I’m particularly excited for the deal with Musical Freedom that brings some Tiesto hits to the platform. Arguably the world’s greatest DJ, and a master of the electronic dance and deep house genres, his tunes are a perfect match for FitXR. Make sure you’ve got some nice bass-heavy headphones for these.
Unlike with the launch of multiplayer and HIIT I didn’t get any early access to these workouts yet so I’ll definitely be logging in today to check them out and will add some footage up on our Youtube account, and of course to this article too.
FitXR membership with a free 7-day trial is available on the Oculus Quest for $9.99 a month.
