Can You Get Fit in Virtual Reality?

When I woke up this morning, I was raring to go. I made a cup of coffee while doing my morning "Get Moving" routine. Then I headed out for a walk. I took in some fresh air and sunlight, got my blood pumping, cleared my head, and set my intentions for a movement-filled day.

I love being outdoors, so getting outside in the morning is kind of my thing. But, like many people, I find that opportunities to keep moving my body drop off in the evening hours. And that's the perfect time to strap on a virtual reality (VR) headset and have fun moving as I play some games.

What is virtual reality gaming?

Without getting too geeky, VR is a type of computer simulation where a person can experience a three-dimensional environment. In VR gaming, players interact with that environment to solve puzzles, complete tasks, battle virtual monsters, or explore.

Generally, the gear required to enter a VR world is a headset (or very large goggles) and two hand controllers, usually with multiple buttons and joysticks. Once you put on the headset, the real world is all but blocked out and you're visually immersed in a 3-D world. With the help of the hand controllers, you can move around the world in all directions, use tools, and interact with elements you find there. 

I have to admit that before I received the headset from Oculus (a brand of Facebook Technologies, LLC) I assumed VR games were gimmicky and cheesy. But I was dead wrong. After a few weeks of playing, I am still blown away by how cool and immersive gaming can be using the Oculus Quest 2. 

A quick disclaimer! Facebook Technologies, LLC gave me a free Oculus Quest 2 headset to review. They didn't make any attempt to influence my review or encourage a positive review.

How fitness and VR go together

Gamers have gotten a bad reputation for being snack-food-eating, energy-drink-swilling nerds who live in their mom’s basements far beyond an acceptable age. And while that stereotype isn't universally accurate (check out the top gamers in Korea and you'll see some stylish, slick, and well-to-do youngsters), it's not hard to see why it exists. I mean, sitting on your butt in front of a gaming console or monitor for hours on end isn't exactly the path to optimal health and wellness.

That's where VR gaming flips the stereotype on its head.

To succeed at the majority of VR games, you'll need to stand. That's a win right there.

First of all, to succeed at the majority of VR games, you'll need to stand. That's a win right there. (As I've mentioned before, I swapped my traditional desk...

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