Best VR Fitness Games 2024

Choosing the best VR fitness games can be a challenge, as it's often difficult to gauge whether virtual reality workouts will provide an effective exercise regimen. However, advancements in technology, particularly with VR headsets such as the Meta Quest 3, Apple AR, and the PlayStation VR 2, have expanded the horizons of fitness gaming. These innovations offer a diverse array of training options, enhancing the overall experience for users.

Since the emergence of 'exergaming' in the 1980s, exercise-based video games have undergone significant evolution, with VR leading the way in immersive fitness experiences. Studies suggest that such games can increase engagement and motivation, particularly among younger demographics. This suggests that VR fitness games have the potential to shape healthier habits in future generations.

So, to help you navigate this burgeoning landscape, we've put together a list of standout VR fitness games. Our criteria encompass factors such as price, user reviews, and features to ensure a comprehensive workout routine. Whether you're seeking boxing simulations like The Thrill Of The Fight or multiplayer experiences such as Beat Saber, our list caters to all preferences and fitness goals. Let's dive in...

Best VR fitness games

1. Viro Move - a well-rounded game for most people
2. Beat Saber - best multiplayer VR game
3. Synth Riders - an excellent choice for dancing
4. Supernatural - a great game for full-body workouts
5. The Thrill Of The Fight - best option for boxing

Credit: Fit Reality

1. Viro Move

Best VR fitness game overall

Viro Move is an innovative VR fitness game that seamlessly marries the excitement of virtual reality gaming with real-world workouts, creating a dynamic and engaging experience.

The game offers three modes to cater to different preferences and fitness goals: Challenges, Career, and Playlists. Career mode, in particular, showcases an exciting array of four different level types—Boxing, Swords, Shooting, and Weapons Master. This diversity ensures you can find your preferred exercise style and stay motivated.

With 30 levels to conquer in each game category too, Viro Move goes the extra mile by calculating your caloric output during your workouts. This data provides valuable insights into the intensity of your efforts, helping you track your fitness progress effectively.

Moreover, Viro Move promotes a sense of friendly competition by incorporating online leaderboards. This feature adds an extra layer of motivation, as you can compare your performance with others and strive to improve your ranking. It's not just us advocating for Viro Move's effectiveness; even Gfinity's review recognises its potential to keep you motivated and engaged throughout your fitness journey.

Reasons to buy:

• It's highly rated by our friends at Gfinity
• Tons of game modes to keep you interested and engaged in fitness

Credit: Beat Games

2. Beat Saber

Best multiplayer VR fitness game

Beat Saber is one of the best VR fitness games around today.

This VR sensation flawlessly combines the precision of Guitar Hero with the physicality of a Just Dance. Armed with lightsaber-like blades, you slice through oncoming blocks, creating an immersive and dynamic workout in the process

For those seeking a more challenging fitness regimen, Beat Saber offers a range of difficulty levels. Additionally, it features a no-fail mode, song tempo adjustment, and a practice mode. These elements cater to players of all proficiency levels, facilitating gradual improvement and progression.

In essence, Beat Saber guarantees an exhilarating gaming experience that effectively engages upper body muscles while delivering constant entertainment and excitement.

Reasons to buy:

• It's strangely addictive
• You can alter the difficulty to suit your skill level

Credit: Kluge Interactive

3. Synth Riders

Best VR fitness game for dancing

Synth Riders is a dance-action rhythm game that has you destroying blocks and holding notes as you move your body along to the beat of 56 free songs of various genres.

There is also the option of 30 DLC tracks which include the likes of Muse and Caravan Palace which should help keep each session varied.

You'll also be tasked with ducking and dodging to avoid oncoming obstacles that will ruin your score, and it's worth noting the game keeps track of your calories burned via the in-game fitness tracker.

All-in-all, if you're looking for a dance-based VR game, we'd recommend giving Synth Riders a try.

Reasons to buy:

• All about dancing, music, and having fun
• DLC tracks keep the game interesting

Credit: Within

4. Supernatural

Best VR fitness game for a full-body workout

Supernatural is another dedicated fitness VR game that can deliver a comprehensive full-body workout.

As well as the usual boxing and sword-based movements of VR, you also get a recovery mode to help you cool down and stretch, plus a guided and non-guided meditation feature to help you relax and remove yourself from distractions. Moreover, Supernatural includes live in-action coaches who meet you face-to-face in virtual reality to give you tips and to motivate you to push your workouts to the next level.

On the whole, we feel this fitness VR game is a near-complete package when it comes to delivering an intense full-body workout.

Reasons to buy:

• Works out every aspect of your body
• Live action coaches can help keep you motivated

Credit: Sealost Interactive

5. The Thrill Of The Fight

Best fitness video game for boxing

It's no secret boxing is a great form of high-intensity cardio, so why not combine this with gaming? If so, then you'll want to check out The Thrill of the Fight, as it earns its reputation as a premier fitness game, especially in the boxing realm.

This title sets itself apart with its commitment to realism, challenging players to face off against a roster of opponents, each showcasing unique fighting styles and techniques. Precision and strategy are key; mimicking the nuanced tactics required in actual boxing, players must skillfully navigate their opponents' defenses to deliver decisive blows.

Recent updates have kept the game fresh, and there's a buzz about a potential sequel too. Right now though, The Thrill Of The Fight is where it's at, with it being a great fitness game with its authentic portrayal of boxing, making it an essential pick for those looking to engage in a serious workout through gaming.

Reasons to buy:

• A realistic representation of boxing, even down to the cardio involved
• It's quite cheap as far as video games go

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

With so many fitness VR games on the market, you may have a few questions about them but don't worry because we're here to clear up some of the most common queries.

Are VR fitness games good for exercise?

VR games can be a great way of keeping active whilst fulfilling your passion for gaming because, as seen with several games on this list, you often need to move your entire body to achieve high scores or to complete levels.

Also, you can normally up the intensity and speed of your workouts by increasing the difficulty which should, in turn, help you burn more calories as every movement you do will have to be done a little quicker.

Ultimately, we feel VR games are a particularly good way of completing a cardio-based workout, however, if you're looking to build muscle, lifting weights may be a more beneficial alternative.

How do VR fitness video games compare to traditional gym workouts?

Following the above, VR fitness video games offer several advantages compared to traditional gym workouts. They're typically engaging, fun, usually incorporate your entire body, and can be done at home. There's also a social aspect to VR fitness games if you play them with friends or family, whether online or in person.

However, there are certain areas where VR fitness games can't keep up with gym workouts. Weight training, for instance, is something you'll probably benefit the most from by going to a gym and lifting weights heavier than anything a VR game can offer.

Cardio is a little different because, depending on the VR game, you can quite effectively hit different aerobic and anaerobic zones. That said, if you want to take your cardiovascular fitness to the next level, such as hitting 10k during a run, you'll probably find a few sessions on a treadmill will be more of a benefit to you than a VR fitness game.

In short, traditional gyms are hard to beat as they often come with specialised equipment and a structured environment that can be beneficial for specific fitness goals or training purposes. It ultimately depends on personal preferences, fitness objectives, and the availability of resources. As a compromise though, we'd recommend considering a combination of both VR fitness games and traditional gym workouts for a well-rounded fitness routine.

How often should you play VR fitness games?

This will vary depending on the person, but, like with all forms of exercise, getting three to five workouts per week is a good number to aim for as you're more likely to see improvements and continue to progress this way.

Three to five workouts will allow for an adequate number of rest days to help you recover and avoid fatigue. This is supported by the American Council on Exercise which states that not allowing your body to rest can cause a depletion of glycogen in the muscles, which are vital for energy.

We'd recommend varying each workout during the week though.

For example, you may find weightlifting 3 times a week beneficial for building muscle, but then you might want to complete a few cardio sessions on BoxVR the remaining 2 sessions in the week - it's really up to you.

Where can you buy VR fitness games?

There are tonnes of places to buy VR fitness games to secure either a physical copy or a digital version. For instance, you can find digital copies of Beat Saber on the online PlayStation store and Steam, plus Beat's own website.

For Synth Riders, you can pick up physical copies from Amazon, or digital versions from similar online outlets.

Ultimately, whether you prefer physical or digital games, there are plenty of places to purchase VR fitness games. We'd recommend simply searching the game in question and you should find a ton of places to buy.

What technology do you need to play VR fitness games?

It almost goes without saying that to play VR games, you'll need some sort of virtual reality equipment, most notably a VR headset. Some of the key VR headset manufacturers include Meta Quest, formerly known as Oculus, HTC, and PlayStation.

You'll also likely need a pretty decent PC to run the VR software and games, although, if you own a PSVR device, then you can simply use your PlayStation console.

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