Is Fitness Gaming the Next Wellness Trend? A Deep Dive Into VR Fitness

Virtual Reality

Feb 27

Video games have a reputation for turning people into “couch potatoes”. But there’s a form of gaming that’s doing quite the opposite: fitness gaming. By combining fitness with fun these interactive games are getting people moving — and changing the way we view exercise. In 2024, this trend of fitness gaming is led by virtual reality, with an increasing library of VR fitness games that take exercise to a whole new level of immersion and entertainment. But what exactly is fitness gaming? And does VR fitness actually offer a good workout? Join us as we dive into the basics, plus our take on the benefits.

What Is Fitness Gaming?

Fitness gaming, also known as active video games (AVG), exergaming, or exertainment, combines elements of traditional video games with fitness routines or activities to create a dynamic gameplay experience. Using motion-sensing technology and specialized controllers, players can interact with the game through movements such as running, jumping, punching, dancing, and more. It’s essentially the intersection of fun and exercise. By combining elements of competition, social interaction, and gamification, these games inspire players to stay active and reach their fitness goals, all while having a good time.

One of the earliest examples of fitness gaming that gained widespread popularity was the introduction of the Nintendo Wii console in 2006. The Nintendo Wii revolutionized gaming by incorporating motion-sensing technology into its controllers, allowing players to interact with games through physical movements. And who can forget Dance Dance Revolution (DDR)? This popular arcade and home video game series required players to step on pressure-sensitive pads in sync with on-screen dance prompts. The game’s fast-paced and rhythmic nature is a dream team combination of gaming and physical activity.

Over the years, this concept of fitness gaming has evolved. These early examples paved the way for the development of more sophisticated fitness gaming experiences, including the integration of virtual and mixed-reality technology. This has led to a new era of fitness gaming: VR fitness.

What Is VR Fitness?

While some VR games are purely for entertainment, others are made specifically for working out. These games fall under the category of VR fitness, or virtual reality fitness. They combine the immersive experience of virtual reality technology with physical exercise to create engaging and interactive workout routines. In VR fitness, users wear a virtual reality headset that immerses them in a computer-generated environment, and they can interact with this environment through movements and gestures. It’s like Dance Dance Revolution, only instead of staring at a screen you can step into almost any experience as if you’re really there.

For example, with Litesport you can enter a virtual boxing ring or a sunlit studio for a full sensory strength training or full-body workout without ever leaving your living room. Your trainers are no longer just on a screen in front of you, they’re interacting with you in a 3D world. Instead of punching a boring punching bag or repping out squats alone in your living room, you can squat to avoid obstacles, you can punch an immersive Liteshield that glows green with every accurate hit, and you can compete for the top spot on the leaderboard. This elevates your experience, making your workout just as fun as playing a video game.

Turns out that a lot of people enjoy the merging of physical exercise with interactive gameplay. So much so that an HTF Market Intelligence report indicates that the VR fitness game market was valued at over $111 million globally in 2022 and is projected to grow by almost 40% between now and 2029.

Is VR Fitness A Good Workout?

But can an immersive video game be a good workout? Research says that the answer is an absolute yes. Just like any other form of exercise, boxing or slamming battle ropes in the metaverse gets your heart pumping, the sweat pouring, and the calories burning. In fact, according to the VR Institute of Health and Exercise and SFSU’s Kinesiology labs, some VR games are more effective at burning calories per minute than using workout equipment at the gym. With Litesport, for example, players burn on average about 300 calories per 30 minutes.

A 2018 study published in Games for Health Journal helped demonstrate this. They challenged 41 healthy young men and women to three virtual reality fitness games. As these gamers blocked incoming orbs, threw punches, and shot arrows at moving targets, researchers measured their heart rate and oxygen consumption with VO2 max testing equipment. Their physical activity while gaming met the energy expenditure benchmarks for moderate to vigorous-intensity exercise as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A 2020 review published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doubled down on that conclusion, finding that VR workouts helped improve physical fitness, muscle strength, and balance.

5 Benefits of Fitness Gaming

But what exactly makes VR fitness such a great workout? Let’s break down the benefits:

It’s a ton of fun

VR fitness isn’t only proving to be a good workout — it’s changing the way we view exercise. VR fitness is challenging the idea that you need to go to a gym to get in a good workout or that exercise needs to look a certain way. Any activity that gets you up and moving (and more importantly, having fun while you’re doing it) is a good form of exercise. And research shows that when you’re having fun, you’re more motivated to work out and maintain that exercise routine in the long term.

That's the whole idea behind fitness gaming and VR fitness: that exercise doesn’t have to be boring or monotonous. Instead, you’re immersing yourself in a game that also happens to move your body. Instead of a boring run on the treadmill, with VR fitness games like Litesport, you can squat under approaching obstacles, throw punches at a virtual shield, or even lift weights alongside a personal trainer in your living room. This kind of immersive simulation feels less like a chore and more like a game.

2. It increases motivation

We know that exercise is something we need to do to maintain good health and decrease our risk for various health concerns and diseases. But that doesn’t always mean we’re motivated to do it. It can be hard to find the motivation to make it to the gym or lace up your shoes for a run, especially if you don’t find the exercise enjoyable. Exercise also doesn’t always offer immediate rewards, it can take some time to see your hard work pay off.

But with VR fitness, you get immediate gratification for your efforts thanks to real-time results, personal scores, and leaderboards. In Litesport, you can even go head-to-head against fellow players in a match. This built-in competition and gamification triggers the reward center of your brain, increasing dopamine production. This reduces your stress response, helping ease tension and anxiety. It also gives you a sense of achievement and accomplishment, making it easier to stay motivated and work towards a goal.

3. It reduces perceived effort & improves performance

The benefit of a workout that’s fun and feels like a game is that you might not even realize how much you’re working out. In the 2018 Games for Health Journal study, the team also found that VR gamers tend to underestimate the amount of energy they’re using while playing these VR fitness games. Participants rated running on a treadmill as a "moderate" exercise and VR gaming as a "light" exercise, even though the exercise output was the same for both. Turns out that when you’re having fun, you forget just how hard the workout really is.

A 2019 study published in Psychology of Sport and Exercise found similar results. The study compared two groups of adults doing bicep curls. One group performed the exercise in a gym while the other performed the curls in a simulated virtual environment. The group repping out bicep curls in VR reported a 10% lower pain intensity than those in the gym. They also had a lower heart rate and were able to maintain the exercise for longer. These studies, among others, show that VR fitness could reduce your perception of pain and effort associated with a workout.

4. It offers more variety & convenience

VR fitness also increases access to a variety of workouts and workout environments, from boxing in a boxing ring to dancing in a virtual Zumba class to yoga surrounded by a beautiful landscape. With a VR headset, you can explore this wide range of workouts right from the comfort and convenience of your own home. This means you can find the workout routine that works best for you, and switch it up to add more variety to your week. In Litesport, for example, there are several unique ways to workout including boxing, boot camp, and strength training. You can also try different trainers and music genres, with new exercises added daily.

You might also find that these workouts are far less intimidating in a virtual environment. For example, you might find strength training intimidating at a traditional gym. But pop on a headset and all of a sudden it not only feels approachable, but fun and engaging. With Litesport, you have a trainer right there with you in your living room guiding you through the correct form of the exercise and offering encouragement along the way. Then at the end of your workout, you can track your calories burned, muscles worked, weight lifted, and reps completed — giving you even more motivation to come back for your next workout.

5. It improves cognitive functioning

We’ve long been told that video games are bad for the brain. Turns out this isn’t always the case, especially when it comes to fitness gaming. A 2020 study published in the JMIR Serious Games journal reviewed 10 studies involving over 700 participants. They found that fitness games significantly improved the cognitive functioning of those with mild cognitive impairment and dementia.

Another study in the Games for Health Journal found that fitness gaming improved both executive function and dual-task performance in older adults. In other words, exercise gaming could help combat the natural cognitive decline we experience as we age. A similar study found that these same benefits occurred for those with Parkinson’s disease. Although we need more research, these studies offer a promising look at the potential cognitive benefits of blending exercise with interactive gaming.

Can VR Replace the Gym?

So VR fitness is a great workout that offers a ton of benefits. But can it replace your gym membership? We believe the answer is yes, VR fitness offers a convenient and effective workout that can replace or complement your gym membership. It’s especially beneficial for those who aren’t a fan of the traditional gym workout, or perhaps feel intimidated or unmotivated to join.

However, giving VR fitness a try might not be a matter of interest, but rather an issue of cost. For many years, the major barrier to VR fitness compared to the gym was the price of a headset. But that price point has dropped significantly in recent years. Although Apple’s brand-new headset comes in at over $3,000, Meta and other headsets are much more affordable. For example, the brand-new Meta Quest 3 comes in at under $500 and the Meta Quest 2 is priced at just under $300. And some fitness apps, like Litesport, also offer affordable membership options that cost much less than a gym membership. It’s also worth noting that VR fitness is still in its early stages. As VR technology continues to grow and expand, we can expect to see even more features and products that advance the at-home VR fitness experience.