Microsoft has announced that it is shutting down Xbox Fitness. As of now, you can no longer purchase Xbox Fitness content.
The company will shut the platform down on the 1st of July 2017, and as of the 15th of December, it will no longer be available with their free with gold offer.
The Evolution and Impact of Xbox Fitness
Since its launch in November 2013, Xbox Fitness has allowed users to experience the world’s best workouts with famous trainers, right in the comfort of their own homes. The service has continually evolved since it launched on Xbox One, with new content and ongoing updates. Xbox Fitness was designed to leverage the Kinect sensor to track users’ movements and provide real-time feedback, making it a unique and interactive fitness solution.
The platform featured a variety of workout programs from renowned trainers such as Jillian Michaels, Tracy Anderson, and Tony Horton. These programs ranged from high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to yoga and strength training, catering to a wide array of fitness levels and preferences. The integration of social features allowed users to compete with friends and track their progress over time, adding a layer of motivation and accountability.
Challenges and the Decision to Shut Down
Despite its innovative approach, Xbox Fitness faced several challenges. One of the primary issues was the reliance on the Kinect sensor, which saw declining support and interest from both developers and consumers over time. Additionally, the fitness market became increasingly competitive with the rise of other digital fitness platforms and apps that offered similar features without the need for additional hardware.
Given the service’s reliance on providing new and exciting content regularly, Microsoft had to consider the sustainability of continually updating the platform. The company acknowledged the difficulty in maintaining a steady stream of fresh content and the resources required to support such an endeavor. Therefore, the decision was made to scale back support for Xbox Fitness over the next year.
Since November 2013, Xbox Fitness has allowed you to experience the world’s best workouts with famous trainers, right in the comfort of your own home. As a service, Xbox Fitness has continually evolved since it launched on Xbox One, with new content and ongoing updates. Given the service relies on providing you with new and exciting content regularly, Microsoft has given much consideration to the reality of updating the service regularly in order to sustain it. Therefore, the decision has been made to scale back our support for Xbox Fitness over the next year, and we want to provide our users with a timeline of the changes you will see.
The timeline provided by Microsoft outlines the gradual phase-out of the service. As of now, users can no longer purchase new Xbox Fitness content. By December 15th, the service will no longer be available as part of the free with gold offer. Finally, the complete shutdown of the platform is scheduled for July 1st, 2017.
The decision to shut down Xbox Fitness has been met with mixed reactions from the community. While some users appreciated the innovative approach and the convenience of working out at home, others found the reliance on the Kinect sensor and the need for constant updates to be limiting factors.
For those who have been using Xbox Fitness as part of their regular workout routine, the shutdown may require finding alternative fitness solutions. Fortunately, the market is filled with numerous options, ranging from other digital fitness platforms like Peloton and Apple Fitness+ to traditional gym memberships and personal training services.
You can find out more details about Microsoft’s plans to shut down Xbox Fitness over at their website at the link below.
Source Microsoft
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