The great thing about virtual reality fitness games is that there is a title for everyone. No matter if you are just starting your fitness journey or are already an active individual, there’s a VR fitness game that has exactly what you’re looking for in a workout. If you love feeling the burn and watching your calorie tracker increase, then you’ll be looking for games that offer up a high intensity. There are plenty of options, so we here at VR Fitness Insider have come up with a list of the best high-intensity VR fitness games 2020. These titles will make sure that you get a great workout in.
If you’re looking to alternate between high and low-intensity titles, then take a look at our 10 best low-intensity VR fitness games to get a full picture of what virtual reality has to offer for workouts. Also, make sure to check out our list of the 25 best VR fitness games 2019 for some other recommendations.
Top 15 High-Intensity VR Fitness Games
Audio Trip
There is no better dancing virtual reality workout than Audio Trip. It also offers up one of the best leg workouts as you’ll be regularly moving in order to get out of the way of barriers. The secret to an intense workout is to actually squat instead of ducking underneath them. Beyond your legs, you’ll also be using your arms to bang on drums and moving them around constantly while also testing your core. Not only is it one of the best high-intensity VR games, but a fantastic total body workout as well.
Audio Trip has a fitness rating comparable to tennis by the VR Institute of Health and Exercise. It is currently available on Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, and Windows Mixed Reality for $19.99.
Beat Saber
Beat Saber is one of the best virtual reality games due to its accessibility. The lower difficulties are great for those just beginning to play VR titles while its higher ones offer an intense challenge that will put your arms to the test. Beat Games’ record-setting rhythm title has the player slicing beats in certain directions by using two katana beams and moving their body in order to dodge oncoming walls. It has you using your whole body in unison, and you’ll definitely feel the workout you just did in your arms afterward. Beyond its default soundtrack, there’s also DLC featuring popular bands such as Panic! at the Disco, Imagine Dragons, and Green Day.
Beat Saber is available on Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, Windows Mixed Reality, and PlayStation VR for $29.99. It has been given a fitness rating comparable to tennis by the VR Institute of Health and Exercise. Beat Saber was awarded our VR Fitness Game of the Year in 2018 won our Best Arm Workout VR Fitness Game of the Year in 2019.
Bitslap
Bitslap provides one of the most intense arm workouts available in virtual reality. The game has players punching cubes in the order that they appear in, so it seems on the simple side at first. However, for what it lacks in complexity it makes up for it with intensity as it is a stellar test of the player’s reflexes. Each round only takes a minute or two to compete, and there are short rest periods afterward, but it quickly becomes a test of endurance due to its difficulty.
Bitslap is currently available on Valve Index and HTC Vive for $6.99. It has been given a fitness rating comparable to an elliptical by the VR Institute of Health and Exercise.
BoxVR
As the recent recipient of our Best VR Fitness Game of the Year award, BoxVR provides a must-have workout. This rhythm boxing game has players moving their bodies and punching along to the music. What really helps it separate itself from other titles is its outstanding post-launch support as it continues to receive new exercises mapped out by fitness experts and more music. It’s one of the best ways to stay in shape and provides a full package. While it is focused around punching, there are also some leg workouts to check out as well.
BoxVR has been given a fitness rating comparable to tennis by the VR Institute of Health and Exercise. It won VR Fitness Insider’s Best VR Cardio Fitness Game of the Year in 2018 and our Best VR Fitness Game of the Year in 2019. It’s currently available on Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, Windows Mixed Reality, and PlayStation VR for $29.99.
Creed: Rise to Glory
Creed: Rise to Glory brings all of the drama and action of the iconic “Rocky” film franchise to virtual reality. Players get to feel like they are Adonis Creed and will get a fantastic full-body workout while doing so. Players will learn how to duck incoming punches and box with proper technique through its training drills and intense fights. It provides an intense upper body workout and also teaches the player some skills.
Creed: Rise to Glory is available on HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, and PlayStation VR for $29.99. It has been given a fitness rating comparable to tennis by the VR Institute of Health and Exercise. It won our Best VR Boxing Fitness Game of the Year in 2018.
The Fastest Fist
The Fastest Fist is a great way to practice your shadow boxing and a great supplement to the other boxing titles on this list. The game is comprised of doing virtual mitt work and it really amps up once your trainer starts throwing hooks and jabs at the player that they have to avoid. It’s the perfect high-intensity warm-up exercise even if there’s not enough content here for longer gameplay sessions.
The Fastest Fist is currently available on Valve Index and HTC Vive for $9.99. It has been given a fitness rating comparable to an elliptical by the VR Institute of Health and Exercise.
Hot Squat 1 & 2
While most of the games on the list target your arms, Hot Squat is all about making your leg muscles sore. This free virtual reality has players doing a series of squats in order to get past barriers. Competitive players will be glad to know that there are leaderboards, so you’ll be pushed to do your best. If you dig the original, there’s also a paid sequel by the name of Hot Squat 2: New Glory, which features enhanced graphics and cardio and squatting exercises. Considering that the Steam profits of the sequel go to charity, it’s well worth checking out.
Hot Squat and its sequel has a fitness rating comparable to tennis by the VR Institute of Health and Exercise. The original is currently available on Valve Index, HTC Vive, and Oculus Rift for free, while its sequel costs $6.99.
Ninja Legends
Another one of the best high-intensity VR fitness games is Coinflip Studios’ Ninja Legends. This action game will definitely test your reaction speed as players have to use melee combat to take out waves of quick ninjas. It doesn’t get repetitive thanks to a nice mix of weaponry and special abilities that includes a katana, claws, staff and a chain dart. There are also four different difficulty modes, and the higher ones are perfect for those looking to sweat it out.
Ninja Legends is available on Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, and Windows Mixed Reality for $19.99. It has been given a fitness rating comparable to an elliptical by the VR Institute of Health and Exercise.
OhShape
if you’re looking to move around then OhShape provides a great experience. The game is based around a simple yet fun concept that has the player matching full body shapes in order to slip through walls. Occasionally, players will also need to punch and dodge obstacles as well. It starts off slow but it becomes surprisingly intense later on. The title also supports customizable music, so you can enjoy your regular exercise tunes if you want to.
OhShape is available now on HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, and Windows Mixed Reality for $14.99. It is coming soon to PlayStation VR.
Path of the Warrior
This beat ’em up by Twisted Pixel is a wonderful homage to classic games such as Double Dragon and Streets of Rage. Despite wearing its retro design on its sleeve, Path of the Warrior feels fresh since it’s a virtual reality title. Players will have to constantly be moving around as enemies come from every direction and will get a good arm workout by punching out baddies. It’s the newest title on our list and will become an exercise mainstay for Oculus owners.
Path of the Warrior is available now on Oculus Rift and Quest for $19.99.
Pistol Whip
Another one of the best high-intensity VR fitness games is Pistol Whip, which just released late last year. This rhythmic shooter has players shooting at enemies to the beat of the music while also having to dodge bullets. It’s the closest experience that you’ll get to being John Wick, so you know that it provides an intense experience. The stylized shooter is a blast to play and provides a solid arm workout as well.
Pistol Whip is currently available for Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, and Windows Mixed Reality for $24.99. It is coming soon to PlayStation VR and has been given a fitness rating comparable to tennis by the VR Institute of Health and Exercise. It won our Best New VR Fitness Game of the Year and Best Action VR Fitness Game of the Year in 2019.
PowerBeats VR
PowerBeats VR manages to provide a full-body workout by having players punch incoming objects and squatting to avoid walls. The rhythm game is quite the intense workout as it keeps your arms active throughout. Since the game was designed with fitness in mind, players will be able to use an in-game calorie tracker to monitor their workout. There’s also a custom level editor available, so there will never be a lack of challenging stages to take on.
PowerBeats VR is available now on Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, and Windows Mixed Reality for $19.99. It has been given a fitness rating comparable to tennis by the VR Institute of Health and Exercise.
Soundboxing
Unlike many games that come with their own soundtrack, Soundboxing differentiates itself by using YouTube videos instead. With the ability to play this punching-based rhythm game to any music, it becomes quite the fun experience. The intense title also has leaderboards that will keep competitive players coming back for more.
Soundboxing is available now on Valve Index, HTC Vive, and Oculus Rift for $15.99. It has been given a fitness rating comparable to tennis by the VR Institute of Health and Exercise.
Synth Riders
Synth Riders provides a highly intense workout by making players block and punch targets that are coming towards them. It’s not just an arm workout, though, as players will be moving their legs plenty as well. The game has a synth-heavy soundtrack, which can be hit-or-miss depending on personal taste, but if that’s your jam then this is a great title to add into your workout regimen.
Synth Riders is available now on Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, and Windows Mixed Reality for $19.99. It has been given a fitness rating comparable to an elliptical by the VR Institute of Health and Exercise.
The Thrill of the Fight
Even in 2020, The Thrill of the Fight is still one of the best boxing games available in virtual reality. Developer Ian Fitz put a lot of care into the title and it shows off in how realistic its simulation of pugilism is. Those that pick it up will be forced to learn proper boxing techniques such as how to jab and hit a speed bag. While some other VR boxing titles have more theatrics and higher production value, this is the best experience for anyone looking to seriously learn how to box and get in better shape while doing so.
The Thrill of the Fight is available now on Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, and Windows Mixed Reality for $9.99. It has been given a fitness rating comparable to rowing by the VR Institute of Health and Exercise. It won our Best VR Sport SIM Fitness Game of the Year in 2017 and our Best Boxing VR Fitness Game of the Year in 2019.
That does it for VR Fitness Insider’s list of the top 15 best high intensity VR fitness games. With these great titles, you’ll be able to sweat it out and get ripped in no time.
