Xbox One users can now connect to something Microsoft has called Xbox Fitness. Using Kinect, this fitness program is not like anything you've ever seen on the Wii or any other console - it actually makes sense, and it will get you in shape. Read on!
Xbox Fitness Specs
The first thing to note is that Microsoft has signed on a bunch of celebrity trainers and fitness gurus for the Xbox Fitness program. Videos from the likes of Shaun T (Insanity); Tracy Anderson, Tony Horton (Beachbody P90X), and Jillian Michaels (The Biggest Loser) are all part of Xbox Fitness.
The second thing to note is that, using Kinect, your Xbox One console can monitor your heart rate, determine what your target heart rate is, and even correct your form and posture as you move through various workouts. Yeah, that's a big step up from all workout videos that I can recall, and it even beats the heck out of fitness monitoring bracelets that don't take heart rate into consideration. Great, right? So, where do you get it?
Not Here Yet...
Microsoft has said that Xbox Fitness will launch during the holiday season - just in time for the holiday workout crowd. As with gyms that cash in on those looking to be fit by New Years, Microsoft is hoping to grab the attention of people searching for holiday weight loss options, and people looking for gifts for those that like working out.
You do have to have an Xbox One console in order to use Xbox Fitness, but you can purchase one of those on November 22nd - that's just a month or so away now. You can also reserve your Xbox One right now through the Microsoft site. Xbox Fitness will be free to those that have a Xbox Live Gold membership. If you don't have a Gold membership, I'm assuming that Microsoft will make the fitness option available for a fee.
The Kinect Potential
When Microsoft announced the invention of Kinect, gamers everywhere saw the potential in this technology. Since then, Kinect has been used by startups in various ways (including to determine size and fit of clothing), so the stretch to a fitness program using Kinect isn't a big one. In fact, it's one that makes perfect sense, and it's just the beginning. We're sure to see many more Kinect programs and options coming soon after the official release of the One console.
When it comes to fitness videos and games, nothing new has really surfaced since the original Wii was invented. Microsoft's latest Xbox Fitness program sounds like it will be the fitness game to beat them all - especially with the celebrity lineup that the company has managed to snag. If you're looking for a way to get fit this holiday season (and, really, who won't be?), check out what Microsoft will be doing with the Xbox Fitness program.
What do you think of this fitness option? Will you use it? Does it make sense?