Skip to content

Creating Coaching Content

Coaches are the heart of the AeroBeat experience. While the music provides the rhythm, You provide the motivation.

Our coaching system is designed to replicate the feeling of a personal trainer working out right beside the athlete. You aren't just a voice in their ear; you are their partner in the sweat session.

🎯 The Philosophy: "Sweat With Them"

The most successful coaching content (inspired by platforms like Supernatural VR) feels authentic because the coach is physically active during the recording.

  • Don't just read a script. Get your heart rate up. Let the athlete hear the effort in your voice.
  • Tell a Story. A playlist isn't just random songs. It's a journey. Use the warm-up to set the theme ("Today is about resilience") and the cool-down to reflect.
  • Vibe Check. Match your energy to the song. If it's a high-intensity interval track, use your voice to acknowledge the craziness the athlete is working through in their journey. If it's a flow track, be calm and grounding.

📦 Anatomy of a Coaching Pack

A Coaching Pack is a collection of media files designed to wrap around a specific Playlist.

  1. Warm-Up Video: Plays before the first song. (1-2 minutes).
  2. Audio Overlays: Voice tracks that play on top of specific songs in the playlist.
  3. Cool-Down Video: Plays after the last song. (2-3 minutes).

🛠️ Technical Requirements

  • Video Format: .webm (VP8 or VP9 codec). Max resolution 1080p.
  • Audio Format: .ogg (Vorbis).
  • Tools:
    • Recording: OBS Studio (Video), Audacity/Reaper (Audio).
    • Tool: Coaching Studio (Web App).

🚀 Step-by-Step Workflow

Phase 1: Preparation

  1. Select Base Content: Use the SDK's Content Browser to find an existing Playlist or Song on the AeroBeat server. You don't need to have the files locally; the SDK will stream the metadata and audio for you to coach against.
  2. Learn the Charts: Play the playlist yourself. Note where the hard drops are, where the breaks are, and where the athlete will be struggling.
  3. Write your Script (Loose): Plan your "Intro" story and your "Outro" message. For the songs, note down cues ("Big uppercuts coming up!", "Breathe through the squat").

Phase 2: Recording

The Videos (Warm-Up / Cool-Down)

  • Lighting: Ensure you are well-lit.
  • Background: Keep it clean or use a green screen.
  • Action: Lead the athlete through dynamic stretching (Warm-up) or static stretching (Cool-down).
  • Export: Render as .webm.

The Audio Overlays

  • Setup: Put on your headset, start recording in your DAW, and play the song in your headphones.
  • Action: Perform the workout while recording. Speak to the athlete as if they are next to you.
  • Export: Save the vocal track only (do not include the music) as .ogg. Ensure the start time aligns with the song start (or note the offset).

Phase 3: The Coaching Studio

  1. Open: Navigate to the Coaching Studio web portal.
  2. Import Files: Drag your .webm and .ogg files into the project.
  3. Create the Pack:
    • Create a new Resource: AeroCoachingPack.
    • Assign your warm_up_video and cool_down_video.
    • Map the Songs: In the overlays array, add entries for each song in the playlist.
      • Song ID: The ID of the song you are coaching over.
      • Audio Clip: Your .ogg voice track.
      • Volume: Adjust to ensure you don't drown out the music (default 1.0).
  4. Create Manifest:
    • Create AeroModManifest.
    • Type: COACHING.
    • Target Feature: (e.g., boxing).
  5. Validate & Upload: Use the "AeroBeat Uploader" tab to publish.

💡 Best Practices

  • Feel The Vibe: You don't need to talk non-stop. Let the music drive the energy. Speak when motivation or instruction is needed.
  • Generic vs. Specific: Since you are coaching a specific Playlist, you can reference the specific songs ("I love this guitar solo!"). This creates a much deeper immersion than generic "Good job" lines.
  • Audio Ducking: The game engine automatically "ducks" (lowers) the music volume slightly when your voice track is speaking. You don't need to mix this yourself.

♿ Coaching Modifications

Not every athlete can perform high-impact moves. It is important to acknowledge this and offer alternatives.

  • Knee Strikes: These are heavy movements. Emphasize them, but remind athletes that if they cannot perform the impact, they can swap the action for a Guard/Block or Crunch.
    • Why this works: In Boxing mode, the game tracks the Head Position relative to the target lane rather than the physical leg. As long as the athlete shifts their weight (head) to the correct position where they would be if they lifted their knee, the hit will register.
  • Obstacles (Walls/Bars): Remind athletes that the game only tracks their Head for collisions. They do not need to contort their entire body to avoid a wall, just their head. This prevents over-extension and injury.
  • Flow - Leg Lifts & Run In Place: These are high-intensity fitness intervals. Remind athletes that the specific leg movement is not scored. If they cannot perform the action safely, they should modify it (e.g., a small lift or a stretch) rather than risking injury. Safety is the priority.

❓ Coaching FAQ

Q: Can I use Green Screen (Chroma Key) video? A: Yes! This is highly recommended for immersion. 1. Record your video against a green background. 2. In the Coaching SDK, select your video resource. 3. Enable "Transparent Background" in the inspector. The engine uses a real-time shader to remove the green, making you appear inside the game environment!

Q: Can I remix an existing playlist? A: Yes. You can load an existing playlist in the SDK, add your coaching tracks, and save it as a Remix. The original author is automatically credited in the manifest.