Meta’s recent layoffs have left users of the popular virtual reality fitness app Supernatural reeling. The company has drastically scaled back support for the platform, effectively halting new content updates while maintaining the existing $100/year subscription price. This decision, driven by Meta’s pivot towards artificial intelligence investments, has sparked a wave of frustration and mourning among the app’s dedicated user base.
The Appeal of Supernatural: More Than Just Exercise
Supernatural carved out a unique niche in the VR space by blending high-intensity workouts with immersive virtual environments and engaging coaching. Released in 2020, the app quickly became a standout title on Meta Quest headsets, lauded for its addictive gameplay and community-driven experience. Users praised the app’s ability to make fitness fun and accessible, even for those who struggled with traditional gyms.
The app’s success was partly due to its Together mode, introduced in 2024, which enabled multiplayer workouts. This fostered a tight-knit community of users, some of whom organized real-world meetups based on their virtual connections. The platform offered a sense of belonging, especially for those in rural areas or during pandemic lockdowns, where access to gyms was limited.
Meta’s Shift: AI Takes Priority
The cuts to Supernatural reflect Meta’s broader strategic shift towards prioritizing artificial intelligence (AI) development. The company is reallocating resources to its AI platforms, including Meta AI and smart glasses initiatives, while scaling back investments in its metaverse projects. This move follows years of significant financial losses in the VR and metaverse space, with Meta reportedly laying off over 1,000 employees across these divisions.
The decision to halt Supernatural updates while maintaining the subscription fee has been met with outrage. Users feel betrayed, questioning why Meta would acquire the platform only to abandon it. Some speculate that the company simply sought to eliminate competition in the VR fitness market, while others lament the loss of a thriving community.
Community Grief and Uncertain Future
The reaction from Supernatural users has been one of shock and disappointment. Many express concern about the long-term viability of the app, particularly its ability to retain music licensing agreements. Despite the lack of new content, some users plan to continue using the existing library of over 3,000 lessons, while others are already canceling their subscriptions.
The future of Supernatural is uncertain. The platform’s success depended on its regular updates, energetic coaching, and vibrant community. Without these elements, it risks becoming a ghost town. Despite this bleak outlook, many users remain determined to preserve the community that Supernatural fostered, organizing meetups and advocating for Meta to reconsider its decision.
“This just feels like a gut punch,” says Stacey Goff Johnson, a long-time user who credits the app with significant health improvements. “It can’t all just be AI, AI, AI.”
The cuts to Supernatural serve as a stark reminder of the volatility of the tech industry and the potential for even successful platforms to be abandoned in pursuit of new priorities. For its loyal users, the app’s demise represents not just the loss of a workout routine but the unraveling of a unique digital community.
