Warming up properly is an important part of any fitness routine as it will keep you from injuring yourself while working out. YouTuber Fracno, who works as a physical therapy tech in the Army, put together a great video showing how he warms up before using a virtual reality headset. While Fracno uses a Valve Index (check out our list of the top 15 Valve Index fitness games), the tips given on how to safely warm up are applicable for any headset (such as PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, or Windows Mixed Reality).
Fracno says the warm up routine isn’t necessary for more casual play but anyone getting sore or working out in virtual reality should definitely implement these steps. He recommends starting from the top of the body and working yourself down. His routine begins with a quick series of slow neck rolls, which is followed up with shoulder shrugs and arm circles. He then does 10 squats, which are his favorite exercise. He continues with some tight-rope lunges to help your quads, and finishes with a series of jumping jacks.
Check out the video from Fracno below to get a great look at how to safely warm up before doing VR exercises:
It’s a simple routine but one that will help take your fitness routine to the next level and keep you from getting sore. After all, exercises are all about having good fundamentals. Frecno’s YouTube channel has plenty of other gaming fitness tips, such as stretches for neck pain, so make sure to check it out. He also streams three times a week on Twitch.
Learnhing how to safely warm up is an important first step in order to enjoy virtual reality fitness games. Check out our list of the best total body workouts and our guide on how to maximize your home workouts as you continue on your fitness journey.
