Introduction
These days, people turn to vr fitness games to help them leverage technology for better health. It’s ideal because your gaming system lives in the same place as you. You can work out at a time that works for you. Plus, it’s a great way to add some fun to your workout.
Can You Burn Calories Playing VR Games?
The question on many people's minds is whether VR fitness games can actually help burn calories. The answer is yes, according to a study conducted in 2018. Of course, the results can vary.New VR fitness games might do a better job of helping you burn calories because of improved design or better input from fitness experts. Additionally, it turns out that performing identical fitness activities using VR can actually reduce the pain during exercise.
How Many Calories Can You Burn with VR Fitness Games?
When considering VR fitness games as a means of burning calories, it's natural to wonder how many calories you can burn in an hour of activity. The exact number of calories burned will depend on factors such as the intensity of your workout and the type of exercise you do.
Some of it depends on how vigorous you are during that hour. Some of it depends on the type of exercise you do. With a walking game, you may only burn 2 calories per minute or 120 calories per hour on the low end. With a biking game, you might burn 13 calories per minute or 780 calories per hour on the high end. Most games fall in the middle.
VR Fitness Games on PICO
If you're interested inkeeping fit with VR fitness games, the PICO headset and controllers are a great hardware option. PICO hardware can work through a PC and supports a wide range of fitness-oriented games. Keep reading for a brief overview of some of the available games you can try.
FitXR
FitXR is an exceptional VR game dedicated to making fitness more fun and accessible for everyone.
Offering five dynamic studios, a plethora of on-demand classes, and seven new classes added weekly, the game ensures a fresh and engaging experience.
Whether you enjoy Box, HIIT, Dance, Combat or Sculpt - each workout studio provides a distinctive workout experience, guided by professional trainers who keep you motivated and in good form.
FitXR combines workouts with a diverse music selection from some of your favorite artists.
You’re encouraged to tap in to the social aspect of the game by competing with up to six friends, and connecting with a Facebook community of over 25,000 people to share experiences, challenges, and achievements.
VR Fitness One
This VR fitness game is designed to provide a full-body workout experience, with options for cardio, strength, and stretching exercises, as well as a boxing practice option.
Blaston
In Blaston, your survival hinges on one simple rule: Never. Stay. Still. This game will keep you active as you duck, dodge and weave to avoid taking damage from your opponent in this PvP dueling game.
Racket: NX
If you’ve ever thought that racquetball would be better if you played in an outer space pinball machine. This Tennis-inspired VR game offers cardio as well as strength skill-based workout.
Audio Trip
Audio Trip is one of those games designed with movement in mind. The game features obstacles that make you catch, dodge, and smash your way through levels. It also comes with difficulty levels that help you adjust the level of effort. Beyond that, you can create playlists to customize your experience.
Pistol Whip
Get your cardio workout in while dodging incoming fire in this fast-paced VR game. The Scenes become increasingly difficult based on which modifiers you choose. Tip: choose brawler mode for an even more challenging workout.
Ragnarock
Looking for some cardio and strength training with a Viking twist. Ragnarock pushes you to drum your way through rock music. The catch is that you’re using hammers to lead your crew through battle. The better you do, the more victorious your crew. You even get to pick your level of difficulty.
Les Mills Body Combat
Les Mills Bodycombat brings things back to earth. This VR fitness game provides coaches to guide you through martial arts-inspired workout routines, including punches and kicks from boxing, karate, and kung fu. One-time purchase, free workout updates and no subscriptions.
Smash Drums
Music is central to working out for a lot of people. For the true music enthusiast, though, Smash Drums lets you embrace high-intensity cardio through simulated drumming. It offers more than 50 songs and multiple difficulty levels. For a more immersive experience, you can put it into a 360-degree mode.
Realm Sport
This VR fitness game is designed for low-impact exercise, with basic games such as shooting targets, throwing darts, or navigating a virtual community garden.
Groove Fit Island
Groove Fit Island takes you to an island with some enthusiastic animals who love fitness. Much of the game devotes itself to dance-related activity, which is always good cardio. You can also do specific, “Groove Fit” activities based on sports, such as baseball and tennis.
All-in-One VR
This VR fitness game offers a variety of workout options based on sports, including badminton, tennis, golf, boxing, and squash. It’s a great way to mix up your workout routine for strength, cardio, and flexibility.
Who is VR Fitness Best For, and Who Shouldn’t Try it?
As with any fitness regimen, VR fitness games come with some risks, such as the possibility of pulling a muscle or twisting a joint.
For high-intensity VR fitness options, it’s really only appropriate for people who already have generally good health and no known health issues. For those with serious or chronic health problems, it's recommended to consult with a doctor before using VR fitness games. For low-impact cardio games, VR fitness will probably work for most people. Again, though, you should consult with your doctor if you have any doubts or restrictions on movement activities.
Conclusion
VR fitness games offer a unique and fun way to incorporate exercise into your daily routine. With the ability to play in the comfort of your own home and at a time that suits you, VR fitness games are a great option for those looking to improve their health. With a wide range of games available, there's something to suit everyone's fitness goals and preferences. As always, it's important to consult with a doctor if you have any concerns about physical activity.