Ready, Headset, Go!

Virtual Reality is revolutionizing the workout game, with lots of options to make staying in shape actually fun.

The last few years have proved that many of us can work from anywhere—why not work out from anywhere too? That’s the idea behind virtual reality (VR) fitness, an exercise trend that uses cutting-edge technology to create a workout that takes you, in effect, anywhere in the world.

The concept of VR is relatively straightforward—you strap on a boxy headset that blocks out sounds and sights so that you’re fully immersed in the “metaverse.” But you’re not merely watching a 3-D film on the big screen— you’re interacting via hand-held controllers that you punch, swing, lift or slide. You’re strengthening your muscles, burning calories and getting in your cardio. Except that here you could be doing tabata atop the Great Wall of China or biking through the San Fernando Valley, no passport required.

“Exercising is more convenient with virtual reality,” says Newark-based personal trainer Jamal Jean-Jacques. “You no longer have to drive to a gym and wait for equipment or rush to a fitness class. With VR, you can work out from the comfort of your own home and when it fits into your schedule. And you don’t need an elaborate set up—just clear the space of any objects or obstacles to be safe.”

VR fitness is also changing the notion that video games are a sedentary hobby that requires nothing beyond cognitive skills and concentration. Many VR video games (such as Beat Saber or Ragnarok) stealthily work in the physical stuff. They’re games first and workouts second. And indeed, VR workouts share the appeal of the video game—you’re so immersed in this technological world that you don’t even realize how hard you’re exerting your body. But the systems are working for you in the background. Most workouts can log your progress and provide instant feedback so users can ensure they’re meeting their daily, monthly and overall goals.

Many VR workouts—Quest 2 and Quest 3, for example—can be played via the Oculus platform, a headset from the brand Oculus, a subsidiary of Facebook (now known as Meta). Starting at $299, it includes the headset, two touch controllers and a charger, with many add-on accessories. Once you have the platform, the apps themselves are pretty much chump change.

A basic “beginner’s app” is FitXR, with which $10 a month gets you on-demand high-intensity interval training (HIIT), dance and boxing classes choreographed by experienced trainers—and submerges you in different environments. You can also work out in real time with up to six friends. Or try Supernatural ($20 a month), which features four types of workouts with trained coaches—Boxing, Flow, Meditate and Stretch—and a personal leaderboard to keep you going.

Another option is Holofit, with which you can use your body weight to ski or box, or participate with your at-home bike, rowing machine or elliptical. These interactive workouts take you from San Francisco to Saturn, counting calories burned and letting you save your stats in the app as you try to beat your scores next time. It’ll cost you about $12 a month. There’s also VZfit ($10 per month), similar conceptually to Holofit but with technology that combines with Google Street View to take you on real streets across the globe.

All of these apps have free seven-day trials, perfect if you’re unsure but want to try something new. They also come with built-in communities you can choose to take advantage of if your intrinsic motivation is lacking.

Prefer to become part of a community in person? VR fitness studios are gradually popping up across the country, one being San Francisco-based Blackbox VR, which combines virtual reality fitness with real-life dynamic resistance training. Here you’ll have access to equipment that helps shape and strengthen your body. There’s also ThriVR24 in Dallas, where participants can fly, box, bike or run thanks to VR tech.

So, whether you’re ready for a new workout regimen or are simply an early adopter when it comes to new trends and tech, VR fitness could just be the thing to take your fitness routine to another dimension.