Asics has opened access to the Asics Studio at-home workout app to anyone free of charge as part of its response to COVID-19.

The mobile fitness app, powered by Runkeeper, offers on-demand workouts with trainer-led audio, curated playlists and visual cues. Asics said in a statement, “We believe in the power of sport to uplift us in times like this it has never been as important to help everyone achieve a sound mind in a sound body. We will continue to do all we can to help the world achieve that goal.”

Asics also said that with the health and wellbeing of its customers and staff a top priority, it decided weeks ago to close its retail stores and offices in affected markets around the world.

Asics also launched its first product preview in VR due to the coronavirus. Originally planning to announce its new shoes at an Asics Innovation Summit in Tokyo, Asics introduced three models – Metaracer, a distance racing shoe; Metasprint, a spikeless track shoe; and Metarise model for indoor sports – in the virtual innovation lab of the Asics Institute of Sport Science in Kobe, Japan.

“We believe that now, more than ever, it’s important to remember the positive impact of sport for individuals and society: exercise uplifts people, so they achieve a sound mind through a sound body. And what better way to showcase Asics innovation than taking people to a virtual innovation lab that brings our technology to life,” said Yasuhito Hirota, president and chief operating officer of Asics.

Photo courtesy Asics Studio at-home workout app