Liteboxer Joins Metaverse with VR to Provide ‘Ultimate Sports-at-Home Experience’
Liteboxer VR was showcased at CES 2022 & has raised $28.5 million to date
Liteboxer, an at-home boxing fitness company, has joined the Metaverse and developed an immersive, competitive boxing experience. The boxing company recently showcased Liteboxer VR at CES 2022 in advance of its March release. The Liteboxer’s ‘fitness first, video games second’ approach provides a full workout designed to fit into a gaming format.
Last year, the company raised $20 million in a Series A led by Nimble Ventures, with Timbaland participating in the round. Since its inception in 2020, the company has raised a total of $28.5 million.
“It’s like DDR but boxing to the music,” points out one observer on the gamercise experience. A terminal known as a Liteshield illuminates to indicate where a boxer should land a punch. Liteboxer then tracks power, timing, and accuracy with each punch, allowing users to track their progress. Users need a Quest 2 VR headset and a Liteboxer VR membership to get exergaming.
A video depicting the virtual reality experience can be viewed here.
Launched in 2020, Liteboxer was co-founded by Todd Dagres, a lifelong athlete. Dagres enjoyed spending time in the boxing ring but found that a boxing bag didn’t provide the same exhilaration as a sparring partner.
Dagres said in an interview that people tend to be intimidated by boxing but are curious. Liteboxer gives them the opportunity to train at home comfortably, he says.
Consumers can select from either a wall mount or a floor stand depending on space needs. “I said I want this thing to look like it could be in a Marvel comics gym. It could be in Ironman’s gym,” said Dagres on Liteboxer’s shield design.
Liteboxer includes a virtual community component in which users can compete against friends in the metaverse and select songs before requesting a challenge, as well as boxing workouts, Punch Tracks, and rehabilitative classes.
The connected boxing company also teamed up with Universal Music Group, allowing users to create their own playlists from a vast music library selection.
Best of all, Liteboxer VR uses hand-tracking software with the option for a controller-free fitness experience.
“We’re thrilled to bring Liteboxer VR to market, blazing a trail for the VR fitness revolution and expanding access to first-class fitness that looks to the next wave of fit-tech innovation,” says Jeff Morin, Liteboxer CEO and co-founder.
“The dawn of the metaverse points to a demand for a deeper sense of connectivity. Virtual reality workouts connect people in a way that’s more meaningful than a 2D screen on a tablet, phone, or computer. With just a VR headset and your will to win, anyone can now workout anywhere in the world with the best trainers, tracks, and fitness technology,” Morin continues.
The Liteboxer VR is available on the Quest Store and is free for those who own either models and have an existing membership.
The company has partnered with GovX to offer a $200 Liteboxer discount to military (active duty & veterans), military Families (spouses & dependents), first responders (Fire, Police, Healthcare Workers), government employees and teachers (K-12 and University teachers/staff).
