Revamping the VR Fitness Experience: Insights from Supernatural’s Fitness Leader Following Their Departure from Meta
It’s uncommon for tech companies to experience a revival, but that’s the journey of the VR fitness platform Supernatural. Following Meta’s decision in January to reduce its workforce and halt new content production for the app, Supernatural made a notable announcement about its plans to relaunch as an independent entity later this year. The subscription will see a slight increase, reverting to its original price of $20 per month or $200 annually, but this change is unlikely to dissuade its dedicated fanbase, who were distressed by the initial news of the app’s possible closure.
What can users expect from the reimagined Supernatural? Leanne Pedante, one of the original coaches and now the Head of Fitness, shared that the company is committed to restoring everything loved by current users with its reboot. “We have built a library of over 3,000 workouts over the years — all of that will be returning,” she noted in a recent interview. “The same coaches and stunning environments will remain. We are currently negotiating music rights as well, and we will begin to introduce new content that has been absent for some time.”
According to Pedante, many within Supernatural’s community are enthusiastic about the new direction, despite the price increase. However, members on forums have expressed mixed feelings about the change. For new and existing subscribers, an introductory offer is available, allowing them to join as Founding Members of the revamped app for a reduced cost of $180 for the first year.
“An interesting advantage of being a smaller team is that we function with minimal bureaucracy,” Pedante explained. “This allows us to respond quickly to community feedback regarding access issues by establishing a Supernatural scholarship program.” This initiative aims to provide limited scholarships quarterly for those in financial need, with applications reviewed by the Supernatural team to allocate support effectively. Additionally, some community members have shown interest in sponsoring others’ memberships.
Even with an increase in price, Supernatural still offers competitive value and convenience compared to traditional gyms or community centers like the YMCA. Users save on commuting time, avoid shared equipment, and eliminate the discomfort of communal facilities. However, it’s important to note that exercise with just a VR headset may not substitute for the diverse equipment options available at gyms, particularly for strength and cardio workouts. Users will also need to invest in the Meta Quest 3S or the more expensive Quest 3 headsets, which present their own financial considerations.
Similar to VRChat, Supernatural has cultivated a strong community aspect. Pedante mentioned attending meetups in Seattle and Denver, where she connected with numerous subscribers, including couples who formed relationships through their shared workout journeys in the app.
While VR remains central to Supernatural—co-founders Chris Milk and Aaron Koblin developed the app through their studio Within—there’s an opportunity for workouts to be accessible through devices like the Nex Playground, which utilizes a camera to track movements and project digital objects on a TV, similar to Microsoft’s Kinect. This expands the potential for activities that don’t rely on controllers or headsets.
Pedante added, “We are actively looking for ways to engage our members outside of just headsets. In fitness, building trust and relationships within the community is crucial for fostering consistent habits. Over the past six years, Supernatural users have established this trust, and their desire to connect further enhances their experience. Whether it’s running or training programs like ‘couch to 5K,’ there’s considerable interest in expanding beyond virtual platforms, and we are exploring these possibilities.”
