Try GOLD - Free
THE FUTURE OF FITNESS
Men's Health US
|March 2023
FROM WILD INNOVATIONS IN VIRTUAL FITNESS AND THEAT HOME TECH REVOLUTION TO THE TRIUMPHANT RETURN OF GROUP EXERCISE, TODAY'S (AND TOMORROW'S!) TRAINING LANDSCAPE OFFERS EVERYONE A WAY TO GET THEIR SWEAT ON

VIRTUAL TRAINING REAL SWEAT
CAN TRAINING IN THE METAVERSE REALLY DELIVER RESULTS IRL?
MY JOURNEY TO THE FUTURE OF FITNESS begins with 30 seconds of time travel. I park my car at Venice Beach, adjacent to the most iconic Gold's Gym on the planet. I admire the sprawling yard-where big dudes in skimpy tops deadlift in the sunshine-then walk half a block and light-years away to the headquarters of Supernatural, a leading virtual-reality fitness developer.
Ten minutes later, wearing a goofy Quest 2 headset, I'm boxing on the moon. A few minutes after that, I fire off jabs and throw-uppercuts on the edge of Yosemite's Taft Point, bobbing and weaving as Drake belts out "Headlines." Working out in the metaverse is more literal than I'd imagined. Sweat trickles down my neck, and my heart rate edges north of zone 2. The sensors in the Quest's handheld controllers tell the app how quickly and accurately I'm punching. Not bad for a newbie! I throw my first crisp left-right-left combination and glance over my left shoulder at Half Dome and the 3,000-foot drop from this snowy precipice.
This story is from the March 2023 edition of Men's Health US.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Men's Health US

Men's Health US
SUPERSTARS OF TOMORROW
The 25 biggest athletes. The 25 biggest sports. The biggest graduating high school class in history. Meet The MH 25.
5 mins
July/August 2025

Men's Health US
THE NEW PLAYBOOK FOR ADHD
Meds are one option. But doctors (and patients!) see promise in drug-free tactics.
3 mins
July/August 2025

Men's Health US
CAN BILL NYE SAVE SCIENCE?
Nearly three decades after the final episode of his beloved TV show aired, the Science Guy hasn't lost his way. In fact, in an era when science often feels under siege, he’s doubled down on it. This time, though, it’s personal.
14 mins
July/August 2025

Men's Health US
BEST. SHAKE. EVER.
Sick of boring, chalky-tasting protein concoctions? Us too. Prepare your blender for a flavor revolution.
2 mins
July/August 2025
Men's Health US
THE 4-D ARM WORKOUT
New science reveals the road to muscled-up bis and tris is less about #armday and more about total-body stimulus and pushing to your limits.
4 mins
July/August 2025

Men's Health US
What I learned about PROTEIN OVER 15 YEARS Editing food stories at MH
I FIRST LEARNED the true power of protein more than a decade ago. On assignment for this magazine, I worked with a trainer and dietitian in the hope of adding muscle to my frail frame.
1 mins
July/August 2025

Men's Health US
THE FIRE OF FREE
At 20 years old, FAUSTO LOPEZ was one of thousands of heroic firefighters who fought the Los Angeles wildfires—some of the most destructive in California history. But amid the black smoke and fierce winds, he also faced a bigger battle: for a second chance at life.
20 mins
July/August 2025

Men's Health US
THE 2025 OUTDOOR AWARDS
Awesome outdoor adventures demand durable gear. We hard-tested truckloads of products. These winners are worth taking with you.
2 mins
July/August 2025

Men's Health US
THE SEMI-COMPLETE USER'S GUIDE TO...YOUR JUNK
At some point, it's gonna have trouble doing its jobs. These fixes bring the action back.
4 mins
July/August 2025

Men's Health US
HOW HEART DOCS STAY IN FIGHTING SHAPE
The everyday habits and easy hacks of seven experts in cardiovascular awesomeness. BY JULIE STEWART
3 mins
July/August 2025
Translate
Change font size