Vr Lose Weight
Want to exercise, but stuck at home? Virtual reality (VR) offers numerous ways to exercise and get fit, for anyone who cannot make the journey to the gym. Whether it is BOXVR or OhShape, fitness experiences help get the blood pumping, burn calories, and tone the body. Virtual Perceptions has compiled a list of the best VR fitness games across the Oculus Quest, Oculus Rift S, Valve Index, PlayStation VR (PSVR), and the HTC VIVE.
Scientists from George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, in Washington, DC, think so. In a two-part study, researchers first asked 128 women if they thought it would be valuable to use avatars to model weight loss behaviors. Eighty-eight percent of respondents said they “would participate in a program that used an avatar to help practice weight loss skills in a virtual environment.”. VR fitness was once a novelty; now it can serve as centerpiece to a home gym, costing less, taking up less space, with game-like incentives. VR Workouts for your weight loss goals. Just in time for your new years resolutions to trim the fat around your middle.
To navigate and find out more about the headset you own, click on the item in the Table of Contents and navigate from there.
Choose your VR headset, streach your muscles, and get exersising.
Can you get fit in virtual reality?
Compare VR fitness games to most other forms of exercise – running, swimming, sports – and it may seem ludicrous to think that they are comparable. It is clear that, in many cases, going to the gym or outside would be more beneficial, and no scientific studies have proven its power over alternative methods. That said, titles have shown benefits in alternative ways.
Anecdotal evidence have shown players lose weight over time while playing titles like BOXVR or Beat Saber, if played consistently. The evidence shows that, at the very least, VR games can help burn calories and improve cardiovascular health. If supported alongside more mainstream forms of exersise, VR can help improve health.
Which VR headset is the best for fitness games?
Like choosing between Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft, there is a choice between platforms for VR fitness games. These choices normally come down to personal choice, finances, and software.
Similar to the console market, the choice is dependent on the consoles. There is no clear and direct answer, as it is dependent on the priorities of the players. The general rule is that if you are already a dedicated PC player, then the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift S would be your best bets. Otherwise, the standalone Oculus Quest would be well-suited for most people.
HTC VIVE
The HTC VIVE, HTC VIVE Cosmos, and HTC VIVE Pro are high-end VR headsets for hardcore fans. The VR headset offers room-scale VR where players can walk around and interact with objects. These experiences are incredibly realistic, requiring a powerful PC to run and sensors to be set up around a room.
While expensive, it provides plenty of value with its VIVEPORT subscription. For a monthly cost, HTC users can access plenty of titles on the store page, much like Netflix. While the cost of the PC is high, the difference can be compensated by lower software costs.
Some of the best VR fitness games are already available on the system and its stores, and it is a great place to pick up the top experiences on any VR system.
Playable games:
- OhShape
- Synth Riders
Oculus Rift S
Owned by Facebook and a successor to the Oculus Rift, the Oculus Rift S is a VR headset which offers realistic experiences. The system requires a powerful PC and sensors on a desk to run, and players can interact with virtual environments with 6DoF controllers.
Like the HTC VIVE, the Oculus Rift S can offer room-scale VR by adding a new sensor for a small cost, letting people roam around a virtual space and interact. While this is not necessary for VR fitness games, it opens the door for some of the best titles in the market.
Playable games:
- OhShape
- Synth Riders
- Dance Central
- BOXVR
Oculus Quest
The Oculus Quest is a standalone VR headset released in Spring 2019. The headset requires no cables or external trackers, giving players the freedom to bring the headset anywhere for fun and games. As a powerful PC is not required to play, it is the most accessible form of VR available.
The Oculus Quest has its own store for content, and not all games on the Rift S is available. Before buying a headset for a particular game, make sure to do some research.
While the Oculus Quest has a lower price-point, it sacrifices graphics for accessibility. As it runs on mobile graphics, it is not up to bar with its brothers and sisters. But for those who want an intuitive and fun experience for less cash, it does a great job. It is also a headset I personally recommend for the best of all worlds in VR.
Playable games:
- OhShape
- Synth Riders
- Dance Central
- BOXVR
- Guided Tai Chi
PlayStation VR (PSVR)
Played with the PS4 or PS4 Pro, the PlayStation VR is a great headset for those who already have the games console. It just needs Sony’s console to run, as opposed to a powerful PC.
However, some experiences are not as good as the HTC or Oculus headsets. While it is ‘good enough’ for many software titles, users may be able to tell the difference between the realistic shooting games on PCs, and the muddier graphics on the home console. There are also rumours that the PSVR 2 is coming in 2020 as well, so waiting may be a great strategy.
Playable games:
- BOXVR
Valve Index
The Valve Index is a top-of-the-line VR headset. Similar to the HTC VIVE and Oculus Rift S, it plays the most graphically-intensive games via a PC.
The main draw of the headset is the knuckle controllers. Instead of holding an item, players can use their fingers to grip objects in the virtual world. The control method gives more complexity and depth, such as feeling along with a crowbar. The controllers can also be used with other headsets, in case others may be interested in trying it out. The haptic feedback improves the experience.
Playable games:
- Synth Riders
- BOXVR
OhShape
You know those Japanese game shows where users stand on a platform, and foam walls with human-shaped cutouts move towards them? Then players have to match the standing shapes, or risk crashing into the water? OhShape is like that, only geared towards fitness.
Players dip, dive, and weave through each level, either punching points or matching their body to the shapes that fly towards them. The game offers a full exercise, as players stretch and twist their way to the finish line. The songs are not diverse – all are thumping beats that fit a club – but fit the gameplay.
OhShape also released their Stay At Home update, which brought more features. Overall, it is a great game to play.
Available on: Oculus Rift S, Oculus Quest, HTC VIVE.
Synth Riders
I’ve previously discussed why the game is one of my favourites on the Oculus Quest. Upbeat and entertaining, Synth Riders lets players bob and punch to the beat of some amazing tunes, as they surf through pulsating levels. Even if it isn’t strictly a game for exercise, it is still one of the best VR fitness games of 2020.
Similar to Beat Saber, players hit certain blocks as they fly towards them – so far, so good. The difference is that some require players to trace a line that passes them, forcing people to dive and rise to the waves of trails. The movement can be great for exercise, forcing squats and stretches.
If players are looking to burn calories while listening to some great music, Synth Riders is a great alternative.
Available on: Oculus Rift S, Oculus Quest, HTC VIVE, Valve Index.
Dance Central
Anyone surprised that Dance Central made it on the list? Dancing is still one of the best forms of exercise someone can take, especially when stuck at home and unable to move forwards. Just make sure no-one is in the room below yours as you stomp on the floorboards.
With 32 songs available, the game offers a range of options for the discerning dancer. From the hip hop bops of the 1970s to the trendy tunes of the 2000s, a few options are available for the fitness fanatic wanting to get their groove on.
The game also features online multiplayer – you know, in case you want to compare your moves to others.
Available on: Oculus Rift S, Oculus Quest.
BOXVR
Boxing is great fun. Swiping and thrusting fists against a bag helps to release a lot of stress, which melts away over time. BOXVR is a dedicated game for those who want to thrust and block their calories away.
The game has over 20 hours of workouts to help you get on your way. The title also released their Extreme Pack, which has hardcore workouts designed for 18 songs.
The game also received an update in July 2020 which implements a ‘virtual training studio’, upgrading the game to more of a fitness hub. Time to sweat the calories away.
Vr Lose Weight Lifting
Available on: Oculus Rift S, Oculus Quest, PSVR, Valve Index.
Guided Tai Chi
Guided Tai Chi is a unique way to lose weight. Trainers guide the user through workouts, said to lower tension and stress.
The game is designed to provide a soothing experience. With scenic backgrounds and one hundred types of sessions, players can expect to enter a serene level of relaxation in this particular game.
The game includes a world tour mode. Though how far in the world you would go is uncertain.
Available on: Oculus Quest.
What are the best VR fitness games of 2020?
Ultimately, it comes down to personal choice. The Oculus Quest has the most manoeuvrability, meaning anyone can pick up a headset, head to a shaded garden, and start working out. The platform also has some of the best games on the system, including OhShape and Synth Riders.
But that doesn’t mean other headsets provide lesser experiences. Both the HTC VIVE and Oculus Rift S have some fantastic titles as well, exclusively on their system. But it comes down to what other wider interests users may want to play around with, beyond exercise titles.
In any case, it’s a great time to pick up a headset and start losing weight. Pick up a fitness game, and start playing.
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Tom Ffiske
Editor, Virtual Perceptions
Tom
A dedicated VR gamer has developed a 30-minute workout routine using Beat Saber and the results are promising.
After an unfortunate series of car accidents that resulted in permanent injury to both his back and neck, Robert Long wasn’t sure how he’d recover. Stress hormones at the hands of depression caused Robert to gain weight, preventing doctors from making key procedures to his damaged back.
As a result, Robert began researching realistic exercise options for someone in his unique position, eventually leading him to purchase an HTC Vive, as well as a copy of the massively popular VR rhythm game, Beat Saber.
BEFORE
“It worked for me because it drew in my inner child so I was able to give my all and have fun doing it,” spoke Robert in a reddit post directed at the Beat Saber community. “If you give this workout and game your all, you will see some amazing results. Who knows you all may even fine-tune this workout better than I even have now.”
AFTER
Over the course of the next two months, Robert went from 468 lbs to 330 lbs thanks to a combination of proper dieting and an intense 30-minutes of Beat Saber daily. Robert’s full reddit post goes into further detail on the correct procedure for maximum results:
“I managed to make a great 30 minute per day routine. So if you had a normal day of walking and moving around you would just do one 30 minute session of songs. Or two 30 minute sessions per day, if you have had a slow day and not done much walking around or sat most of the day.”
Box Vr Weight Loss
“Here is the key to using Beat Saber as a workout and not just a game. Most use it by just standing still and move very little and when they move they move just a little. You have got to have the play space on this thing set up so you can move around.”
“When you load up a song you are going to want to try and feel the beat/bpm. I am not kidding. Let the music take you and just feel it in your soul. Let that inner kid out. And try and step left and right and bop a lil’ back and forth and get into it. It’s supposed to be fun so have fun and cut loose for your workout.”
Check out Robert’s full reddit post for other valuable nuggets of advice. The Beat Saber subreddit community has already expressed massive support towards Robert’s insightful post, praising his infectious enthusiasm towards the popular VR title.
Lose Weight With Vr
Image Credit: Robert Long / Beat Games