A new digital fitness platform provides the social aspect of a boutique studio at home.

Launching this week, Bande offers "intimate live-stream and on-demand classes" in a wide variety of formats, optimised for at-home participation.

The platform utilises technology that encourages connections between members, their peers and bande's instructors to "celebrate a feeling of togetherness" in a virtual world.

The classes include unique social features such as group chats, private voice messaging and a "friending" function, which makes other people's workout schedules visible.

This means members and instructors have the ability to interact with each other before, during and after classes.

The new platform is the brainchild of entrepreneur Rebecca Balyasny.

Balyasny, who is CEO and founder of Bande, said: "When COVID-19 accelerated the fitness industry's shift to virtual, the space quickly became overcrowded with brands that were prioritising mass content production during a time when consumers were yearning for genuine social interaction.

"This drove me to create Bande. I recruited a best-in-class team of talent from well-respected fitness brands and together, we developed a virtual platform unlike any other that is built on the power of human connection."

At launch, Bande is offering members access to more than 100 fully immersive, live fitness classes each week that cater to all levels.

The platform also has a collection of on-demand video workouts and classes range from barre, cardio dance and kickboxing to HIIT, yoga and Pilates.

Classes are led by instructors at studios such as Exhale, Barry's, SLT, Xtend Barre and DanceBody who specialise in virtual instruction.

Unlimited membership costs US$180 per month, while the drop-in rate has been set at US$15 per class.