Tom Lyons is the developer and editor of Exercise is Boring’s AchieVRfit, a running and jogging simulator that uses real-world motion to move around in virtual reality. Made in Ontario, the fitness app was cleverly developed for the Gear VR and will hopefully trigger a new era of training and fitness apps for the mobile display.
VR and fitness inspiration
Twitter inspiration for #MotivationMonday! Photo credit to: Tom Lyons via Twitter
We found Tom on his YouTube channel called Exercise is boringwhere he posts videos about his journey in creating the AchieVRfit app, VR game reviews and updates on his own weight loss. He also writes blog posts about his Exercise is boring Website where he describes how he did this week, what he ate, what real life and VR exercise he did, and the game’s development progress.
What is AchievementVRfit?
AchieVRfit is a Gear VR app that can be found in the Experiences section of the Oculus Store. This amazing indie VR app lets gamers put on their gear headsets and walk on a path while running or jogging in real time. The menu uses the controller to choose the duration of your workout, the type of music you want to play while jogging or running, and to collect objects in the game.
How does it work?
When you run fast the game environment gets faster and when you slow down it gets slower with you. Whenever you catch your breath or need to take a moment the app will stop too, making this a really responsive VR game. AchieVRfit is accessible to those who cannot walk and can be worn on any treadmill, elliptical and exercise machine Exercise bike without additional sensors! The movement of the headset triggers the movement in VR. So when you step on fitness equipment or shift weight, the landscape moves right with you.
ask
We have a question about how it fares on treadmills and ellipticals. If you increase the heat and add an incline or rolling hills, will the environment around the game move with it or will it stay flat? On an elliptical trainer, does your arms tremble or do you move forward gently? We assume that everything will be fine with that as the game is already out. However, this information could help improve the user experience and help with motion sickness, if any.
Player suggestions
The game has radio stations like “Energy Dance” that you can hear as you play steps and cardio. Users suggest that adding more stations or uploading playlists or songs could make the workout more fun and repetitive. The environment of the path is a good starting point, but could be improved with additional environments such as like BOX VR included a Halloween and winter stage for their users.
The game currently features bananas as objects that you collect / look at for points. Adding a variety of collectibles in the game can add different values / points to the game. Increasing your avatar’s XP or achieving achievements in reaching milestones could also be a great addition to this game and motivate players to improve their current selves to become their ideal selves.
VR fitness potential
Video credit to: The VR Shop via YouTube
Gear VR has jogger, a Frogger-like run across the street to avoid getting hit by the car game, but the mobile VR headset now wins another fit-friendly game with AchieVRfit! Running and jogging in every function is good for the heart, lungs and stimulates the metabolism!
Health line reports that a 120-pound person can burn 11.4 calories per minute and a 180-pound person can burn 17 calories per minute. Seasoned runners and fit warriors can increase the intensity of their VR workouts by adding a Weight vest. We do not recommend using ankle weights while running as this can injure you.
Where can I find AchieVRfit?
Credit To: Tom Lyons / Exercise Is Boring
Website: Exercise is boring
Youtube: Exercise is boring
Twitter: @exrciseisboring
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