First Episode Is Live!
We’re kicking off our brand-new video series In the Arena with myself and super member Turner Leslie (aka Turninator)! We’ll be covering every detail about Black Box VR, as well as fun topics like fitness, technology, gaming, and startups.
In this episode, you’ll hear the untold story behind Black Box VR, Turner’s new fitness obsession, why traditional gyms are failing so many, and how we’re revolutionizing the future of fitness.
If you’ve ever wondered what makes Black Box VR so different, or just want some motivation to crush your next battle, this is a must-watch:
Highlights:
In the Arena – Episode 1: Ryan DeLuca & Turner Leslie
Ryan DeLuca:
Welcome to our first episode of In the Arena, filmed right here at Black Box VR in Meridian. I’m Ryan, and I’m joined by Turner—aka Turninator. While we’re not technically inside the VR arena, we’re definitely in the thick of the real-world action. We’re excited to dive deep into what Black Box VR is all about: how it works, the science behind it, fitness tips, virtual reality tech, gaming, and startup stories.
Turner Leslie:
We’re kicking this off with the plan to make this a regular show. We’re going to cover the Black Box story, set expectations, have some laughs, and share a lot of valuable insights along the way.
Ryan:
Turner really pushed me to get this started. As a product-focused entrepreneur, I often get caught up in building and neglect the explaining and marketing part. This podcast is a great way to bridge that gap. So here’s a little about me: I’ve lived in the Boise area pretty much my whole life. Back in 1999, I founded Bodybuilding.com in my garage right here in Meridian. No outside funding—just hustle. We scaled to 800 employees and nearly half a billion in revenue. It became the world’s most visited fitness website.
In 2015, I sold the company and tried retirement. That lasted about six months before I was bored out of my mind. I realized the best kind of happiness comes from working hard on something meaningful that helps others. That realization led to Black Box VR.
Turner:
That’s amazing. I first heard about Bodybuilding.com around 2015 when I was just a college kid trying to get shredded. It was awesome knowing such a huge fitness brand was right here in Boise. Fast forward a bit, and it turns out Ryan and I were neighbors at one point. Small world!
My background is in marketing and social media. That’s how Ryan and I connected. He invited me to try Black Box VR and make some content. I came in, jumped into booth number one, and immediately signed up for a membership.
Ryan:
At that time, I was actively trying to get people to come experience Black Box VR firsthand. It’s a tough concept to explain—people hear “VR workout” and assume it’s a kid’s game or it’s going to be uncomfortable. But once they try it, they’re blown away. We solved a lot of those initial problems—nausea, hygiene, and headset discomfort.
Turner was one of those who gave it a shot, and now he’s 75 workouts in and crushing it on the leaderboard.
Turner:
That first workout was intense. And now I’m hooked. The game keeps it exciting with strategy and challenges. We’ll definitely be doing an episode inside the arena soon to show you how it all works.
But first, Ryan, what inspired you to start Black Box VR?
Ryan:
Good question. The hardest thing in business is starting something completely new—a whole new category. At Bodybuilding.com, the biggest challenge was helping people stay consistent. Adherence is the true key to fitness success.
Most people know what they should do, but sticking to it long term is the hard part. 87% of people don’t stick to their workout programs. If you can’t make fitness a lifelong habit, results won’t last.
I always looked at how technology could help—first with the internet, then mobile, and now VR. With Black Box VR, we wanted to use VR to turn workouts into addictive video games. The same game design that keeps people hooked on Candy Crush or Call of Duty can be used to help them get fit.
Turner:
And if you’re not into video games, that’s totally fine. This isn’t just for gamers. You just have to try it—it’s fun and effective. The private booths, the scheduling, the game mechanics—it’s built to keep you coming back.
Ryan:
Exactly. You don’t have to deal with crowded gyms or figuring out your workout plan. Just show up, and everything’s ready for you. The system tracks your progress, adjusts your resistance, and makes sure you’re progressing every session.
Turner:
Since starting Black Box VR, I’ve lost weight, built lean muscle, and my energy levels are way better. It sets the tone for my whole day. The community here is amazing, too.
Ryan:
It’s true. And hearing stories like yours is what keeps me going. We’ve done multiple UCLA studies proving Black Box VR gets better results in less time than traditional gyms. Muscle gain, fat loss, strength, endurance—it’s all covered in 30-minute sessions.
Turner:
And the machine tracks all your reps and sets, so you don’t have to think about it. It’s all built for progressive overload. If you’re not seeing results, you’re not playing the game.
Ryan:
That’s right. Our AI makes sure you’re hitting the right volume and intensity. Plus, it’s fun. It’s got to be both effective and enjoyable—or people won’t stick with it.
Turner:
Ryan, what keeps you motivated to keep building Black Box VR?
Ryan:
It’s the stories from our members. People who tried everything else and failed—but then found this and finally stuck with it. We’re now getting ready to franchise, and the vision is to have Black Box VR gyms all over the country. Eventually, we’ll even offer a home version.
We want to revolutionize fitness. Make traditional gyms obsolete. Bring immersive, effective workouts to the masses. That’s what keeps me going.
Turner:
We’re bringing in influencers to try it, and the reactions are always the same—”when can I come back?” We’ll keep sharing more stories and details in future episodes. Let us know your questions, and we might answer them live soon!
Ryan:
Thanks for watching In the Arena. Come try Black Box VR here in Meridian for free. We’ll help you through your first workout. And Turner—ready for a co-op battle?
Turner:
Let’s do it!
About Black Box VR
Black Box VR is the world’s first virtual reality esport that combines resistance training, HIIT cardio, and intense gaming to deliver a science-backed workout experience. In our luxurious gym locations, members are able to build muscle, lose fat, and get fit while playing an addictive game.
Have questions? Ask MAIA, our AI chatbot!
