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Virtual reality (VR) is not just a tool for entertainment and gaming. It can also be used for fitness, offering a fun and immersive way to exercise at home or anywhere you have enough space. VR fitness can help you burn calories, improve your mood, and stay motivated with a variety of apps and accessories. In this article, we will explore the different ways VR can be used for fitness, and give you some tips and recommendations to get started.
Key Takeaways
- VR fitness is the use of VR headsets and controllers to engage in physical activities in virtual environments.
- VR fitness can offer several benefits, such as increasing your cardio, strength, balance, and coordination, reducing stress and boredom, and enhancing your enjoyment and motivation.
- VR fitness apps range from rhythm games and dance classes to boxing and climbing simulations. Some of the most popular ones are Beat Saber, Supernatural, FitXR, Dance Central, and The Climb.
- VR fitness accessories can help you improve your comfort, hygiene, and performance while working out in VR. Some of the best ones are vented inserts, silicone covers, sweatbands, weighted gloves, and exercise bikes.
What Is VR Fitness?
VR fitness is the use of VR headsets and controllers to engage in physical activities in virtual environments. Unlike traditional fitness methods, VR fitness allows you to experience different scenarios and challenges that can make your workouts more fun and immersive. For example, you can slash blocks with lightsabers in Beat Saber, dance along to your favorite songs in Dance Central, or climb mountains in The Climb, Train Boxing with apps like BOXVR, or even train Baseball with apps like WINVR. You can also track your progress, set goals, and compete with others online.
VR fitness can be done with various types of VR headsets, such as the Meta Quest 3, the HTC Vive Pro, or the Sony Playstation VR2. However, some headsets may require a tethered PC or a console to run the apps, while others are standalone devices that are more convenient and affordable. The choice of headset depends on your budget, space, preferences, and availability of apps.
What Are the Benefits of VR Fitness?
VR fitness can offer several benefits for your physical and mental health. Here are some of the main ones:
Increased cardio
VR fitness can help you raise your heart rate and improve your cardiovascular endurance. According to a study by the Virtual Reality Institute of Health and Exercise, some VR games can burn as many calories as running or cycling. For example, Beat Saber can burn 6 to 8 calories per minute.
Improved strength
VR fitness can also help you build muscle strength and tone your body. Some VR games require you to use resistance bands, dumbbells, or weighted gloves to add more challenge and intensity to your movements. For example, Supernatural offers a variety of workouts with different levels of resistance and difficulty.
Enhanced balance
VR fitness can also help you improve your balance and coordination by making you move in different directions and angles. Some VR games require you to dodge obstacles, lean sideways, or crouch down to avoid hitting walls or barriers. For example, OhShape makes you fit into shapes that appear on the screen by moving your body accordingly.
Reduced stress
VR fitness can also help you reduce stress and anxiety, as well as help with depression by providing a distraction from your worries and a way to release tension. Some VR games offer relaxing environments, soothing music, or meditation sessions that can calm your mind and body. For example, Tripp guides you through breathing exercises and positive affirmations in beautiful landscapes.
Increased enjoyment
VR fitness can also help you increase your enjoyment and motivation by making your workouts more fun and engaging. Some VR games offer rewards, feedback, customization, or social features that can keep you interested and challenged. For example, Dance Central lets you choose from a variety of songs, characters, outfits, and venues to suit your mood and style.
What are Some Potential Drawbacks of VR Fitness
Despite the many benefits of VR fitness, such as increased motivation, enjoyment, and calorie burn, there are also some challenges and limitations that users should be aware of.
Cost of Equipment
One of the main barriers to VR fitness is the cost of equipment. VR headsets and accessories can be expensive, and some users may need additional equipment like controllers or sensors to play certain games. Depending on the platform (PCVR/Standalone) Headsets alone can vary in price from $300 for a standalone headset, (which still isn’t cheap,) to $2000 or more for a more advanced PC based VR solution. Maintenance can also become an expensive endeavor if not done properly. For example: if too much sweat builds up on the headset and/or controllers, it could cause damage to them, potentially rendering them inoperable
Finding Suitable Fitness Programs
Due to affordable VR options being a relatively new development in the market, users should carefully assess their fitness goals, and preferences when considering VR fitness, and finding the most suitable one may require thorough research to find programs that cater to specific needs and preferences. VR fitness games vary in their intensity, duration, and type of exercise, and users may have difficulty finding suitable games or fitness apps.
Potential for side effects
A third challenge is the potential for side effects from VR use. Some users may experience nausea, dizziness, or motion sickness while using VR, especially if the VR environment does not match their physical movements . To avoid these side effects, users should take breaks and follow safety guidelines when using VR. A final challenge is the limited space requirements for VR fitness. Users need enough space to move around safely while using VR, without bumping into furniture or walls. This can be a challenge for people living in small apartments or homes, or who do not have a dedicated VR space . Users should clear their surroundings and use the boundary system of their VR headset to prevent accidents.
These are some of the challenges and limitations of VR fitness that users should be aware of before starting their VR fitness journey. However, these challenges can be overcome with proper planning, research, and precautions. VR fitness can offer a fun and immersive way to exercise and improve one’s health and well-being.
| Benefits of VR Fitness | Potential Drawbacks of VR Fitness |
|---|---|
| Improved Cardio and Strength: VR fitness raises heart rate, enhances cardiovascular endurance, and builds muscle strength using resistance bands, dumbbells, or weighted gloves. | Cost of Equipment: VR headsets and accessories can be expensive, and additional equipment may be required. |
| Enhanced Balance: VR exercises improve balance and coordination through diverse movements. | Program Variety: Difficulty finding programs that cater to specific needs and preferences in terms of intensity, duration, and exercise type. |
| Reduced Stress: VR fitness aids in stress reduction and anxiety relief through distraction and tension release. (e.g., Tripp) | Potential Side Effects: Users may experience nausea, dizziness, or motion sickness, especially if the VR environment does not match physical movements. Proper breaks and safety guidelines are crucial. |
| Increased Enjoyment: VR makes workouts more fun and engaging with rewards, feedback, customization, and social features. (e.g., Dance Central⁷) | Limited Space Requirements: Users need ample space to move around safely, posing challenges for those in small living spaces. Clearing surroundings and using VR headset boundary systems are essential for safety. |
What Are the Best VR Fitness Apps?
There are many VR fitness apps available for different types of workouts and preferences. Here are some of the most popular ones:
| App | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Beat Saber | A rhythm game that makes you slice blocks with lightsabers in time with music | $29.99 |
| Supernatural | A subscription-based service that offers personalized coaching, curated music playlists, scenic locations, and daily workouts | $19/month or $179/year |
| FitXR | A boxing game that makes you punch targets in sync with music | $29.99 |
| Dance Central | A dance game that makes you follow choreographies from various genres | $29.99 |
| The Climb | A climbing game that makes you scale realistic or fantasy mountains | $29.99 |
What Are the Best VR Fitness Accessories?
To make your VR fitness experience more comfortable, hygienic, and effective, you may want to invest in some accessories. Here are some of the best ones:
| Accessory | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Vented insert | A replacement for the original foam insert that allows air to escape the headset without letting light in | $19.99 |
| Silicone cover | A cover that protects the foam insert from sweat and dirt and makes it easier to clean | $11.99 |
| Sweatband | A band that absorbs sweat from your forehead and prevents it from dripping into your eyes or lenses | $9.99 |
| Weighted gloves | Gloves that add extra weight to your hands and wrists to increase the resistance and intensity of your movements | $29.99 |
| Exercise bike and sensor | A bike and sensor that connects to your headset and lets you pedal in VR environments | $189.99 for bike $31.99 for sensor |
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Conclusion
VR fitness is a great way to exercise at home or anywhere you have enough space. It can help you burn calories, improve your mood, and stay motivated with a variety of apps and accessories. Whether you want to slash blocks, dance, box, climb, or meditate, there is a VR fitness app for you. All you need is a VR headset, some controllers, and a willingness to sweat.
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