VR Health and Exercise Apps

[iolaus]

I saw an older thread that segued quickly into "What are some good VR exercise apps?" The only things that got mentioned were Beat Saber, Les Mills Body Combat, and Blade and Sorcery. I added Supernatural to the list, but that's about it for that thread. There's bound to be others, so post up, and try to give a little description of the game and its benefits.

Beat Saber
Les Mills Body Combat
Blade and Sorcery
Supernatural
Pistol Whip

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What really caught my attention was a subscription model app - Supernatural - that IIRC, is $10 a month. I use Beat Saber (arms and shoulders, some ducking and dodging) and Pistol Whip (lots of ducking and dodging) as a warm-up for Supernatural.

I'm sure many people have heard of or played Beat Saber, but for the others, it's standing in place with, for want of a better term, "lightsabers" in your hands. there are blocks coming down a corridor in your virtual environment, and you have to slice through them in the prescribed direction while trying to maintain or increase your life bar. Accuracy and length of travel both contribute to your score, and if you miss enough, you "die." This is all done in time with a music track, and there is lots of music - some included with purchase, and some as add-on packs.

Pistol Whip is another popular game. It's a rail shooter where you have targets who are shooting back at you. The incoming bullets need to be dodged. There are variations and challenges, as well as an arcade mode, so lots of options. The challenges change the requirements, target responses, and available weapons - two-handed vs one-gun, six-shot revolvers, unlimited ammo, even a "just your fists while dodging bullets" scenario. It's a decent workout just on its own!

Supernatural is similar to Beat Saber - hitting balloons with bats instead of slicing blocks with swords - and it has a very wide selection of music and genres, but it's specifically designed as exercise; it even has an option to link in a heart BPM monitor and show you your stats after each round. It includes knee strikes, squats, and lunges to each side built in - though you can disable those - and a variety of "coaches" talking you through and cheering you on. They also have, in addition to that, a separate "boxing" option. There's a seperate phone app with which you can track your stats, and an online community if you're social enough to participate.

 

[Fruitloops]

Any VR Game is exercise aslong as you're standing, all you need care about is to keep being entertained, Supernatural is a pretty meh game imo.

 

[iolaus]

Any VR Game is exercise aslong as you're standing, all you need care about is to keep being entertained, Supernatural is a pretty meh game imo.

Well, to be fair, it's not a "game" designed for entertainment; it's specifically designed to be a cardio workout. If you approach it like you would a morning stretch and run, it's fine.

You can do a half-assed lightweight workout, or you can really put some effort into it; you'll get out of it what you put into it. In the beginning, my legs and glutes were quickly cramping with fatigue, and were stiff and sore a day or two later. By the time I'm done with, say, 30 or 45 minutes of expert level rounds, my shirt is soaked with sweat and I'm beat.

 

[Vayra86]

The real question with any physical activity is whether it sticks and you keep doing it. I doubt VR will provide that, but YMMV

Consistency is key.

 

[Frick]

The real question with any physical activity is whether it sticks and you keep doing it. I doubt VR will provide that, but YMMV

Consistency is key.

It can get you started.

 

[Vayra86]

It can get you started.

Yeah... theoretically. I truly wonder how many people actually got healthier from VR. And whether that start led to anything else. If you needed VR 'to start' .... your motivation sucks hard. It ain't happenin.

Big part of sports is also not looking at a screen for awhile, for example. Clearing your head. And yes, that's very different in a gym, with an actual class. A screen is a screen. Another big part of sports is getting out of the house. People who live active lives already, don't need VR to do sports. People who don't... shouldn't use it for sports. Get out.

 

[Veseleil]

The real question with any physical activity is whether it sticks and you keep doing it. I doubt VR will provide that, but YMMV

Consistency is key.

I'd say willpower is detrimental, but yeah.

Big part of sports is also not looking at a screen for awhile, for example. Clearing your head. And yes, that's very different in a gym

Also not many people are really enjoying public gym environment. I know I never did.
As I've said, a strong will is the most important factor for some workout consistency. So If you're already struggling to get yourself going to a gym for a training session, a lot of other stuff can get on your nerves.
And even if the damn VR environment can get you to any workout regularly, overall it's quite a positive thing.

But I could hardly imagine myself sweating around with some huge ass VR headset strapped on my head. So that's that. I don't even wear a cycling helmet when riding my MTB, can't stand it for many reasons.

 

[Vayra86]

I'd say willpower is detrimental, but yeah.

Also not many people are really enjoying public gym environment. I know I never did.
As I've said, a strong will is the most important factor for some workout consistency. So If you're already struggling to get yourself going to a gym for a training session, a lot of other stuff can get on your nerves.
And even if the damn VR environment can get you to any workout regularly, overall it's quite a positive thing.

But I could hardly imagine myself sweating around with some huge ass VR headset strapped on my head. So that's that. I don't even wear a cycling helmet when riding my MTB, can't stand it for many reasons.

Yeah there are a LOT of shitty gyms too. But there's lots of other places to go to for some activity. Even just by yourself.

Very personal quest, too though, I see that too.

 

[cvaldes]

There's nothing inherently wrong about looking at a video screen while you workout since that's what a lot of people are doing anyhow when they going to the gym, hopping on their fancy Peloton in the basement, or just parking a tablet in front of their cheap stationary bike.

And there have been tons of exercise shows on television, long before VR ever showed up in the consumer home.

Remember that a lot of this stuff goes back to the Eighties and was popularized by actress Jane Fonda with her VHS tape Jane Fonda Workout back in 1982.

If some pixels on a screen can motivate you to get out of your chair, that's good whether it's a VR HMD, something on your smartphone via an app, or a program on your television set.

That said, VR HMDs aren't really comfortable to wear over extended periods of time. There's the lack of air circulation around the eyes, no peripheral vision, perspiration, heat, weight issues. You can't even easily take a drink of water without fumbling around or sipping out of a water bottle through a straw.

VR HMDs are also harder to combine even with simple exercise accessories like dumbbells, resistance bands, balls, blocks, etc. And they are generally meant to be worn with the head straight up and erect, they are pretty unwieldy in many other positions. It's not like one can do tumbling exercises or even a lot of yoga positions with a VR HMD.

And so many exercises have a right and wrong way to do things. If you work out in front of a mirror, it's usually easy to check if your form is correct or not. With a VR HMD, that's nearly impossible. That's why gym walls are usually mirrored.

Ultimately if you want to exercise at home with minimal equipment, you are probably better off watching something on a large screen TV (DVD, Blu-ray, app, YouTube, etc.) with some accessories rather than stumble around with a VR HMD. You'll have a better range of exercises anyhow. VR HMD workouts are almost entirely aerobic, leaving out strength training and flexibility exercises so not well-balanced.

Maybe the best part of VR HMD exercise apps is the gamification aspect for those who are motivated by that. But you could still do some of that with a Nintendo Switch and Ring Fit Adventure.

 

[Steve-007UK]

Might not be a game specific to what is being asked about but i found this fun and it gave me a good all around workout.

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[WhiteNoise]

Les Mills Body Combat is awesome for working out and entertaining me. It's free once you buy the game. It's really a great workout!

 

[DAPUNISHER]

I got the OG Quest back in 2019 at Xmas time. Bought Thrill of the Fight after trying the demo that week. Been playing ever since. Same for Beat Saber. I tried some of the other demos out for exercise stuff, but either they were too much of a game like Creed, or too fitness class like.

 

[Waldorf]

there are many more things that will be healthier than wasting electricity on vr workout, like swimming/walking etc, thag dont require a gymn.
but it completely ignores that there is no universal work out, e.g. slightly overweight males above 40y, are better off with weights/bodybuilding/strength exercises, not cardio.

 

[Mindweaver]

Yeah... theoretically. I truly wonder how many people actually got healthier from VR. And whether that start led to anything else. If you needed VR 'to start' .... your motivation sucks hard. It ain't happenin.

Big part of sports is also not looking at a screen for awhile, for example. Clearing your head. And yes, that's very different in a gym, with an actual class. A screen is a screen. Another big part of sports is getting out of the house. People who live active lives already, don't need VR to do sports. People who don't... shouldn't use it for sports. Get out.

You make a lot of good points but actually VR has a pretty big group of people that use it for weight loss. You keep bringing up screens, but in VR you don't see screens so it's totally different than what you are thinking when you say looking at screen. I have a treadmill with a screen that I can load up a trail to walk on and it's nothing like putting on my Quest 3 and using it. The Quest 3 is 1000x better than looking at a screen on a treadmill.

I never use that treadmill screen for anything other than to set my pace and speed. I always have my Quest 3 or my Xreal air's. Honestly, I can't wait for you to get a VR/MR headset my friend. I really do think you will enjoy it.

 

[Waldorf]

@Mindweaver
will never do anything that leads to sweating with vr, not interested in soaked padding.

 

[Mindweaver]

@Mindweaver
will never do anything that leads to sweating with vr, not interested in soaked padding.

Yeah it sounds gross that's why I use a BOBOVR S3 Pro. I also have this portable fan as well if I need it. The cool thing with the Bobovr S3 pro is that you can fully removed the facial interface and have nothing touching your face. It's really good and much better than it sounds. Doing MR stuff makes it feel like you have full FOV.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

there are many more things that will be healthier than wasting electricity on vr workout, like swimming/walking etc, thag dont require a gymn.
but it completely ignores that there is no universal work out, e.g. slightly overweight males above 40y, are better off with weights/bodybuilding/strength exercises, not cardio.

This is one of those things where you are not wrong, but you miss the entire point for users like myself. I've been doing combat sports since I was 14 back in the 80s. I have been strength training just as long. None of that stops me from having a good time virtual boxing or acting like a hip hop Jedi.

Me about 3? years ago for reference. I look about the same now, only even uglier -

@Mindweaver
will never do anything that leads to sweating with vr, not interested in soaked padding.

I have a smaller set of the Dollamur wrestling mats you see in that pic, at my house.

 

[Waldorf]

@DAPUNISHER
i have no problem with folks doing what its for gaming/fun/entertainment, or anyone with limited mobility.
just tired of ppl that need an app for what mankind is doing without the need for anything (naybe proper cloth/shoes) for centuries.

and even if i simulate the outdoors, its still gonna smell like the pasta you just cooked, and not a pine forest after rain.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

You really are Waldorf.

My perspective is that if VR is what it takes to get them moving and active, then VR is a good thing. Maybe they are too embarrassed of the way they look to do anything where people can see them? Perhaps they don't get a feel good chemical dump by following videos or whatever alone in their place? But maybe they put on the VR headset, load up beat saber or something, and BOOM! they are having a blast?

Personally, I enjoy virtual boxing way more than shadow boxing, so I usually choose it for the task. I still train IRL of course, but it is a valuable training tool IMO. Beat saber is just flat out a good time. I have Quest 2 for media, and use my OG for training. The battery ain't what it used to be, and I have to tether it now. I need to see if they have battery packs for the OG, I have one for the Q2.

 

[Waldorf]

@DAPUNISHER
naa, just german

lets say exercise on vr, looks more like those weight loss drugs.
ppl dont become heavily obese over night, dont care to adjust their diet or even exercise to reverse it, but then decide they need want to get a shot every week so they can lose 50 lbs out of the +300.

ignoring that the benefits of things like "fresh" air/sun etc wont happen unless you actually are outdoors, no VR workout will ever provide a single mg of Vit D3..

 

[DAPUNISHER]

naa, just german

LOL!

lets say exercise on vr, looks more like those weight loss drugs.
ppl dont become heavily obese over night, dont care to adjust their diet or even exercise to reverse it, but then decide they need want to get a shot every week so they can lose 50 lbs out of the +300.

I don't understand the equivalence between the 2? VR training is actual physical training. It does not matter if they let themself go, every journey begins with the first step. I will applaud and encourage anyone trying to make positive changes.

ignoring that the benefits of things like "fresh" air/sun etc wont happen unless you actually are outdoors, no VR workout will ever provide a single mg of Vit D3..

This is incorrect. Both of my Quests are stand alone capable, and the Q2 gets hours with the extra batter pack headband. I can get all the sunshine I want using it. They even have passthrough.

 

[Waldorf]

@DAPUNISHER
what i meant ppl dont do something early on when its easy (to correct), and then use medication to make up for unhealthy living, the same way using VR will not fix ppl eating fast food every day.

unless you are using the VR outside, no display will emit any relevant amount of UV, that can be absorbed by skin/eyes).
part why its healthier to be outdoors, even in "bad" weather, thats what will boost your immune system.

virtually any person i saw on tv thats over 90 y old (docus) were active outdoors, even if it was "work" (not specifically exercising), showing its more important than workout itself.
and even if i ignore immune system stuff, almost all ppl with depression also had low vit D levels.

i have zero problems with anyone doing games that involve physical activitie with fam/friends using pc/console, or even those that dont have stuff like a gym close by, but most americans are overweight and not healthy, and would benefit more from doing anything outside, instead of VR inside.
and anyone that isnt already "healthy" when using it, if they really wanted to, could have done something already, not just after getting an "app" for it..

 

[DAPUNISHER]

We are getting off in the weeds so I will make this my final reply on the related topic we are discussing.

Being outside is not always healthier; air quality can be absolute ass for various reasons. At those times (which can last for weeks or even longer) being inside sweating and burning calories in VR is healthier. We get extreme heat and cold, plus terrible wet bulb temps this time of year, here in various U.S. states; that can be a major safety concern for the unhealthy trying to get healthy. My point being that blanket statements over generalize too much. And I don't think VR is in a different category than going to a gym to jog on a treadmill, do Zumba, or whatever. Or riding a Peloton in the living room, or using Chuck Norris' total gym, or doing Tai Bo videos with Billy Blanks, or moving to the oldies with Richard Simmons.