Virtual reality exercise app 'VZfit' overwhelms the senses in all the wrong ways
By The Washington Post
By Mike Hume
The fitness app seemed perfect for virtual reality. Stitching together 3-D vistas of scenic streets and byways around the globe and combining it with a low-impact exercise routine, "VZfit," from VirZoom Inc. held a ton of promise for someone who has been cooped up at home. It likewise appealed to someone who runs only when chased and abhors going outside in the winter. I am that someone.
The app, which can be used with just the Oculus Quest headset or in conjunction with an exercise bike, utilizes street view photography from Google Maps and allows users to exercise their way down California's Highway 1, climb the Alps a la riders of the Tour de France or even "walk" down memory lane by revisiting the roadways of their youth. The concept is terrific, and at its best, could provide a top-shelf VR experience. The current execution however, falls short, careening into some of the biggest pitfalls of virtual reality.