Getting started with VR Rowing with HOLOFIT, your Meta Quest and your rowing machine is simpler than you may think. But it’s likely even more fun and motivating than you’d expect.
This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough for setting up your HOLOFIT rowing machine, navigating the app, and making the most of each session.
Whether you’re a seasoned rower or a beginner, this guide will help you embark on your virtual workout smoothly and fall in love with rowing all over again!
Everything you need to start VR rowing
HOLOFIT is the only VR fitness program specially developed for use on rowing machines, and it is available on the Meta store. To use it, you need a Meta Quest VR headset, your rower, and the HOLOFIT subscription.
Choosing the right VR rowing equipment
Not sure which rowing machine works with HOLOFIT? Don’t worry—HOLOFIT is compatible with ALL rowers!
- Rowers with FTMS Bluetooth, like Concept 2, Stairmaster HIIT Rower, TechnoGym SkillRow, and WaterRower with the SmartRow add-on, connect directly as a Bluetooth machine. Just open the Settings in HOLOFIT, and follow the setup instructions.
- Rowers without FTMS Bluetooth work seamlessly in the Non-Bluetooth mode by tracking the motion of your headset as you row
As far as VR headsets, HOLOFIT works with the following: Meta Quest 2, 3, 3S, and Pro.
Rower setup for virtual workouts
Now that you have determined you have the necessary equipment, it’s time to set up your space for virtual rowing workouts. We have prepared four quick steps:
- Set up the Guardian boundary: We recommend that you switch your boundary to roomscale and make it as large as possible to give yourself the freedom to row comfortably. This will ensure that you don’t accidentally row out of bounds and interrupt your experience.
- Position yourself on the rowing machine: Always first strap yourself into your rowing machine, and then put your headset on. Safety comes first!
- Download HOLOFIT: Download HOLOFIT to your headset from the Meta store.
- Complete onboarding: When first using HOLOFIT, make sure to go through the Onboarding. With the help of our virtual guide, Holly, you’ll quickly connect your rowing machine to HOLOFIT, go over the basics, and learn about rowing with HOLOFIT. If you want to redo the Onboarding, you can always find it in the Settings!
HOLOFIT subscription
To access HOLOFIT’s range of workouts and environments, you’ll need a subscription. Whether you go for the monthly or yearly subscription, you get a 7-day free trial!
Once subscribed, you’ll have full access to HOLOFIT’s vast library of environments, workout modes, and progress-tracking features.
The monthly subscription stands at $11.99 per month, and the yearly at $83.99. Keep an eye on our emails and website to catch sales periods! 👀
Get started
What is so special about HOLOFIT? Where should you begin? Let’s take a quick look at what HOLOFIT has to offer, and which workouts are best when beginning your virtual rowing journey:
HOLOFIT basics for rowers
HOLOFIT offers 6 different workout modes, including guided training programs, each of them catering to your fitness level! Find out all about them hier..
In addition to the workout modes, there are 15+ unique virtual environments known as HOLOworlds, which range from real cities like Paris or Venice to fantasy realms like Troglodyte, nature-inspired landscapes like Tropical or Antarctica, and sport-event inspired ones like Cambridge and Grand Sablon.
We make fitness fun—each HOLOworld is designed to engage you, helping to make your workout feel like an adventure rather than a chore. Combined with the workout modes, your sessions are bound to be fresh and challenging.
Workout suggestions
To help you ease into your HOLOFIT rowing routine, here are some suggested workouts:
- Zen in Cambridge
A relaxed introduction to VR rowing where you can explore the river Thames and get comfortable with the experience. Zen mode is our relaxing, endless workout mode, which can be found in the Explore menu. There are no stats, trophies, points, or distractions, just you and the environment of your choice.
Get acquainted with virtual rowing by exploring Cambridge in Zen mode for 10 minutes. Next time—try completing the environment by closing the loop!
- HIIT in Nihon
Try the notorious cardio interval in Nihon. It’s a fantastic way to boost your heart rate while immersing yourself in Japanese-inspired scenery. This Far East environment will take your breath away with its stunning flora and fauna, and bewitch you with its magic.
Start by opting for a shorter workout and a lighter difficulty level, easy or medium. The end goal is to complete a 30-minute HIIT workout on a moderate to difficult level.
- Marathon in Grand Sablon
Challenge yourself with a half-marathon distance in Explore mode, building both endurance and strength. The environment is based on the longest foot race on Earth, an ultramarathon through the Sahara desert, lasting approximately 6 days – 251km (156 mi).
- Race in Underwater
Take on surprising rivals—dolphins! Not only will you be rowing UNDER water, but your opponents will have a bit of an advantage, as their vehicles of choice are friendly but speedy dolphins.
Want to race with friends? Head to the multiplayer mode to race against other Holofitters, or create a private room with your friends!
- NYC Invasion Adventure
Work up a sweat as you row through the city facing destruction. This is a fun way to integrate gameplay with your workout. In addition to trophies, which are exclusive to the Explore mode, you will be facing an extra challenge by finding and focusing on objects that can help the heroes defeat the evil Wizard Donkey and his minions.
Track your progress
Staying motivated with HOLOFIT is easy thanks to its performance-tracking features:
- In-App Stats: HOLOFIT provides stats in the Main Menu that showcase your daily, monthly, and all-time performance, allowing you to measure progress over time.
- Workout HUD: Track your time, distance, speed, and calories burned in real-time during each workout. The head-over-display also includes the number of collected trophies and the countdown when collecting a special trophy.
- Performance mode: This time-attack style workout mode allows you to see your progress and gives you the incentive to improve, by having you race against the ghost of your previous best scores, or other users’.
- HOLOFIT Companion App: For a deeper look at your stats, the Companion app connects with Strava and HealthKit, tracks streak goals, and provides insights into your long-term performance. On top of that, it keeps track of all your trophies!
By keeping track of your progress, you can set personalized goals to achieve new milestones and maintain motivation.
Turn HOLOFIT rowing into a habit
Building a consistent routine with HOLOFIT is essential for unlocking the full fitness benefits of VR rowing. One way to establish this habit is by setting regular goals.
The HOLOFIT Companion app allows you to create streaks, encouraging steady progress and giving you something to strive for in each workout.
Another great motivator is to join challenges. HOLOFIT offers 2 daily challenges each day, a monthly challenge (kind of like a monthly workout plan), and numerous events like HalloFIT, the Summer event, or HOLOlympics.
To keep things interesting and prevent burnout, experiment with HOLOFIT’s workout modes and virtual worlds. Trying out new modes and environments regularly adds variety, helping you stay excited about each session.
By integrating HOLOFIT into your routine this way, you’ll find it easier to stay motivated and committed to achieving your fitness goals.
With HOLOFIT, your rowing machine transforms into a gateway to a virtual universe, adding excitement and variety to every workout. By following these setup and workout tips, you can start your HOLOFIT journey smoothly and make the most of each session.
Set up, row hard, track your progress, and enjoy the adventure that HOLOFIT brings to VR fitness!
