Virtual Reality has finally taken off and started to permeate into everyday culture. Headsets are affordable, software is accessible, and the possibilities are apparently endless. One area where we could see further virtual traction is in fitness and home exercise.
Both VR and AR have already benefited from fitness apps. Pokemon GO could arguably be considered an entry level AR fitness app, encouraging people to get out and walk. More advanced apps like Zombies, Run, are a great choice to add a little levity to proceedings. VR is not only being used at home, but in fitness centres around the world, too. Immersive fitness, as it has become known, means immersing the user in a virtual world. It incorporates visual elements, as well as sounds and, in some cases, even smells and other senses to persuade the user that they’re in another world. This type of experience can enhance the user experience, which is why it has become so popular for gaming and entertainment, and this can lead to improved and sustained results.
Fitness VR Apps
- Sprint Vector – Sprint Vector makes the most of virtual visuals. It is a brightly lit neon world, enabling you to compete against AI opponents and requiring you to move your arms to register movement. You can even compete against real players, and you will definitely feel like you have enjoyed an intense workout by the time you finished.
- The Thrill Of The Fight – The Thrill Of The Fight is a virtual boxing game, a genre that has become extremely popular. The game makers promise that you will burn up to 500 calories if you complete an entire set, and while there might not be any resistance involved, the repetitive action will have you sweating, your heart rate will increase, and you will enjoy an aerobic workout with this enjoyable little app.
- Hot Squat – Squats are one of the most effective bodyweight exercises out there, and it is possible to easily increase their resistance by incorporating weights and resistance bands, or by increasing the pace and variety of the squats that you perform. Apps like the 30 Day Squat Challenge provide you with instructions on how to properly perform different variants of the squat, but if you really want to add another level to the experience, then Hot Squat is the VR squat app for you. There’s a selection of virtual environments that aim to keep things fresh, and you will definitely feel like you’ve done a full workout by the time you’re finished.
- Black Box VR – If you want to take your exercising more seriously, then Black Box VR offers what it claims to be a “full-fitness virtual reality gym experience”. You level your avatar up while levelling your own fitness up. This isn’t just an app, and it does require the use of the black box, which is a resistance training box that is used in most of the exercises you perform. This combination means that you can essentially enjoy a full gym experience from your own home.
VR And Exercise
We should all aim for a minimum of 150 minutes a week of moderate exercise. This exercise can include aerobic and strength training and should be enough that we break a sweat and our heart rate increases but so that we can still hold a moderate conversation. App based fitness has become popular, because it is so accessible, and it encourages us to keep going even when we might be finding it difficult. VR fitness takes this a step further, and as the technology continues to improve, we can expect to see an increasing range of AR and VR apps to further improve our fitness journey.
Get Fit From Home
It isn’t easy to fit an effective exercise and fitness regimen into our everyday lives, which is why apps like these are such a good idea. You can also use an expect online personal trainer to give you improved workouts and better dietary plans. Andy Griffiths worked as an All Arms Physical Training Instructor (AAPTI) for the armed forces and can offer personalised training to help you achieve your goals.
