The basis of good training consists of three phases: easy, medium and difficult. They do this to target all of the major muscle groups without overexerting yourself. VR uses progressive difficulty to control how strenuous the workout becomes. Add accessories like a weight vest and do lots of squats and you can improve the training potential even further. On a busy day, you can keep busy with games that will improve your fitness, while on lighter days you can enjoy more relaxed and fun experiences.
Here are a few titles to get you started.
light
Light exercises are considered “casual” in some circles. They get you moving and exerting strength, but they don’t make you sweat. Think of these as your “for fun” days. These are also good warm up games to play before starting your heavier routines. You’ll be using full range of motion, so make sure you stretch, even if these games aren’t very intimidating.
Super hot
You can only move if you do. Have you ever looked at that Matrix lobby scene and asked yourself, “Why not me?” Superhot is the game for you and is a brisk walk. What cool moves are you going to do? A personal favorite of mine is the Slice and Grab: disarming an opponent with a sword or blunt object and then stealing their weapon to quickly shoot someone else.
And if you think it’s not enough training, anytime you can try the game with Speedrun.
Quivr
Think of this as a holopoint light. It will take a lot of natural resistance while your arms are ready to fire your arrows, but it’s just not physically intense and overwhelming how Holopoint can feel.
Tilting brush
Google’s VR painting app is a great choice for an easy day of training. You can save and return to your projects so you can get as ambitious as you want and learn as you play. I love the concept behind Tilt Brush, and creatives will find hours of dedication to it.
medium
Intermediate exercises are still fun and entertaining, but you may get tired the first time you start your routines with them. With that in mind, feeling your limits with the urge to still play strong can be frustrating. Don’t worry, stick with these medium activity routines and games will soon feel like a no-brainer if they don’t already.
Fruit ninja
You’ve played on so many platforms by now, but VR really shines (unless you’ve played the Kinect version, which uses a lot of the same mechanics as this one). VR is perfect for Fruit Ninja, a game that definitely doesn’t feel like a workout until you’re done playing.
Goalkeeper VR
One of my favorite tropes in game design is the simple and fun game that Goalkeeper VR lands right on. Try the game variant “Smaller Hands” for a unique challenge. You won’t be moving all over the room, but you will get great cardio out of this one.
Arcade saga
As a newly created AI, you are trapped in a kind of arcade in which you have to complete several game rounds to free yourself. The story element is nice, but the variety is what really shines. Each of the three mini-games also has a progressive difficulty level so you always feel like you are improving.
Hot squats
Hot squat is just awesome, like stunt squats if there is such a thing. The premise is very simple, but the workout is cool and you can find fun ways to improve the experience (ex.
Heavy
Designed to push you, heavy workouts will make you sweat. As you progress, these workouts get easier. So be prepared to try harder with higher difficulties and challenges you create yourself.
Fastest fist
Fastest Fist is a favorite here at VRFI. The Bruce Lee Styled Trainer is a nice throwback to the martial arts movies Fastest Fist wants to train you to be in it. Mostly a boxing simulation, your upper body and shoulders are well trained here.
Knockout League
Another boxing simulation that includes some ducking and moving actions. You’ll feel more like you’re in the ring, but it’s not as technical as Thrill of the Fight.
Thrill of battle
Thrill of the Fight is one of the best, if not the best, boxing sims out there in VR. Opponents are tough, physical, and require multiple blows to defeat them. You might even learn about technique in sweet sports.
Holopoint
Try to get past level 10. It quickly becomes clear that Holopoint is not just an archery game, but a playful training. Waves of samurai and ninja attack from all directions, with some target practice to keep things light. This is a fun group game with friends. Who will reach the highest level?
Final thoughts
There are different schools of thought on how to approach the light, medium, and heavy regiments. You could do all of this in a single setting, but VR already gives you a full body workout.
Our advice is to dive in and have fun. We chose titles that are both fun and physically intense. What is your training like?
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