Virtual reality has been capturing the imagination of thousands upon thousands of people and developers. Presenting new and amazing opportunities, VR helps us immerse ourselves into new worlds, letting us not only see, but interact with them. With further development and new devices on the market, the prospects of VR fitness are also improving. While the debate of whether or not your workouts in the future will require an HMD are still undergoing, the fact is that games for the HTC Vive already present us with the ability to move within a virtual world. This is possible not only because of the advanced sensors on the HMD of the HTC Vive, but also because of its Lightroom system and two gamepads that allow you to move within a virtual world space that is as big as four by four meters. While you might not have noticed, some HTC Vive games require a lot of serious movement, similar to some fitness exercises. With that in mind, we’ve gathered five of the most movement requiring VR games for the HTC Vive that will help you out get in shape by playing games.
#SelfieTennis
The prospect of playing tennis with yourself may not be that exciting in the real world, but they are definitely fun in virtual reality. #SelfieTennis lets you grab a racket and start playing a virtual, fun version, of regular tennis. While the movements in the game are not that extortive, the hand movements required to play the game are quite similar to the ones in tennis. Furthermore, if the game becomes exciting enough, you will definitely be doing some punches, which are great for toning your arm muscles, especially if you play for a longer time. Price: $19.99
Fitness Exercises:
⦁ A wide variety of punch exercises that are similar to push and press motions
⦁ Swinging the arms up and to the sides like lateral raises
Vertigo
Even though Vertigo is not a triple-A title, it is one of the most extensive VR games for the HTC Vive. A first person shooter developed especially for the Vive, Vertigo is not only a fun experience, but it also proves to be a great HTC Vive VR Fitness game. Due to its action-packed gameplay, the game features multiple elements that require you to do extortive movements.This is especially true for its fights with bigger creatures, similar to boss fights. For example, when fighting with a giant snake monster in the first levels of the game, you are required to defend yourself in a Jedi-like sequence, that will basically leave you doing side jumps, squats and punches. This makes it the perfect game, if you want to get in better shape, while playing VR games. What’s even better is the fact that the game has a Free Demo version, which lets you test the game before buying it. Price: $19.99
Fitness Exercises:
⦁ Side Jumps
⦁ Side Lunges
⦁ Squats
⦁ Punches
Out of Ammo
Out of Ammo is a unique mix of strategy and first person shooter elements, delivered in an immersive way with the help of the HTC Vive. With a number of action-packed elements, Out Of Ammo will require you not only to engage your thinking, but engage your body as well. With the movements required in the game, in order to play it, you will be doing side jump, lunges, side lunges, squats and even punches. The best part is that the gameplay is so immersive that you won’t feel like playing a VR Fitness game, but you will be doing your fair share of VR exercises. Price: $19.99
Fitness Exercises:
⦁ Lunges
⦁ Side Lunges
⦁ Squats
⦁ Side Jumps
⦁ Punch and pressing motions
Snow Fortress VR
If you are looking for a game that will tone your abdominal muscles, Snow Fortress might be the game for you. Even though you’ve never thought that getting engaged with a fun snowball fight based game will help you get in shape, the fact is that Snow Fortress combines some of the best fitness elements that will help you tone your abdominal muscles. Basically making the experience of a snowball even more exciting in virtual reality, Snow Fortress implements gameplay elements which will require you to quickly duck and get in cover, and then get back up again to shoot, basically resembling a nice squat session. Price: $9.99
Fitness Exercises:
⦁ Squats
⦁ Lunges
⦁ Punch and pressing motions
HoloBall VR
HoloBall VR is a great HTC Vive VR Fitness game, featuring both tennis and squash elements into its gameplay. With its futuristic, neon, setting the game further provides you with an exciting atmosphere. Similar to the aforementioned #SelfieTennis, with Holoball you will be doing a wide variety of punch exercises, which are perfect for toning the muscles of your arm. Furthermore, most players find the HoloBall VR to be far more exciting than #SelfieTennis and the game certainly has a faster-paced action, perfect for some VR Fitness exercises. Price: $9.99
Fitness Exercises:
⦁ A Wide Variety of Punch and pressing motions
⦁ Lunges
⦁ Side Lunges
-Ivan Ivanoff
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