By Holly Ozanne
If you usually gain a few pounds during the holidays, you’re not alone. But the good news is that you can lose weight quickly from your living room with virtual reality!
Get your scales ready! It’s October and that means Halloween candy, Thanksgiving leftovers, sugary ciders, and holiday cookies are ready to find their way into your diet and on to your waistline.
There are only two ways to combat holiday weight gain: diet and exercise. But diets leave you feeling deprived and if you’re not a regular gym-goer, it’s unlikely that you’ll be pumping iron anytime soon. So what’s the average person to do when the diets don’t work and the gym isn’t your scene?
What if I told you that there was a way to get off the couch, have fun, and keep the extra pounds off and at the same time? Well, thanks to virtual reality it’s now possible to avoid those pesky pounds and work out with your headset!
“The great thing about VR exercise is that nearly everyone can do it. Location, age, and strength are typically the things that prevent us from enjoying a traditional gym workout but with VR you really are in your own world. By using VR, gym intimidation is removed from the equation and you’re able to focus on your personal goals while having fun.
Most VR activities have beginner settings so you can ramp up your workouts over time. If you’re ready to see results faster, dial up the difficulty – the longer you last, the better the workout.” – William Griggs, CEO of VirtualRealityRental.co
To keep the pounds away, we recommend that you try these five VR games that have been studied and graded by the Virtual Reality Institute of Health and Exercise. If you’d like to learn more about the Virtual Reality Institute of Health and Exercise and their rating methodology, check them out here.
Break A Sweat With These 5 Games
We all work out at our own pace so we’ve selected five evaluated VR games with a variety of calorie-burning potential. To help you maximize your workout we’ve designated each game with a specific ranking that correlates to the estimated amount of calories burned per game. So what are you waiting for?! Get busy and get fit this holiday season with virtual reality!
Image Credit: Flappy Arms on Steam
Flappy Arms
Engage your upper body with a flapping good time thanks to Flappy Arms, the premier flying simulation. By flapping your arms and keeping your balance you can fly through a series of everyday obstacles and weather simulations. Soar over skyscrapers and play in the clouds with a birds-eye-view while working your triceps, biceps, and deltoids.
Image Credit: Fruit Ninja by Halfbrick
Fruit Ninja
Everyone’s favorite mobile app is now available in VR and the experience is 100% delicious. Slicing produce is action-packed so be sure to get your daily serving of fruit while you visit the virtual dōjō in Fruit Ninja. You can kick up things up a notch and maximize your cardiovascular workout by going up against the best ninjas from the leaderboard.
Image Credit: Beat Saber by Beat Games
Beat Saber
Get your adrenaline pumping and work on your dance moves with Beat Saber, the best rhythm-based simulation that throws objects in your face to deflect with a lightsaber. Move with the beat and increase your heart rate as you advance and the difficulty levels rise. Beat Saber is the perfect game for anyone looking to get moving in a futuristic world.
Image Credit: Hot Squat on Steam
Hot Squat
Welcome to Hot Squat by Flynn Fitness, the virtual exercise gym. This old-school inspired jazzercise studio will put your legs through a series of physically demanding tests and squat drills. Jam out to the tunes of the 1980s while doing as many squats as possible, burning calories, and having fun with your friends.
Image Credit: Knockout League by Grab Games
Knockout League
To complete your virtual exercise training program we recommend getting in the ring and boxing with the best. Keep your head on a swivel and don’t stop moving your feet because you don’t know when your opponents are going to strike. To prepare for the big fight, train yourself with Knockout League’s various hand drills and heart-pumping sparring sessions.
How To Get The Most Out Of Your VR Workout
To get the best results possible, we recommend pairing your virtual workouts with our six wellness tips.
1. Add More Weight
If you want to tone up with VR, incorporate light wrist weights into your gear. The extra 1-3 lbs will make that handheld controller feel slightly more heavy and you’ll be feeling the burn in no time.
2. Stretch Before & After
Your muscles need oxygen so be sure to warm-up and cool down properly when you work out. If you need a dynamic stretch before for your virtual workout, we recommend streaming the Namaste Virtual Yoga Retreat.
3. Eat Right
Eating a balanced diet is always a good idea but we recommend that you avoid large, heavy meals before putting on your headset. Motion sensitivity is possible while using VR technology and you don’t want motion sickness to interrupt your daily workout routine.
4. Do Intervals
Alternating between cardio and weight lifting is one of the most efficient ways to get in shape. Make sure you select VR games that promote intervals of muscle toning and heart-racing cardiovascular exercise.
5. Rest & Rehydrate
We know that working out can take a toll on your body so it’s important to rest, recover, and rehydrate. Monitor your virtual workouts with a smartwatch that tracks your fitness progress and always keep a bottle of water nearby in case you get thirsty.
Have a fitness game recommendation for the VR community? Let us know about your favorite virtual games in the comments below!
This article is not a replacement for any weight loss treatment plan that your healthcare professional has designed for you. Always consult your physician before starting a new exercise program. If you have specific questions about your health, you should consult a professional healthcare provider.
If you think you may be suffering from any medical condition triggered by motion or visual stimulation, you should seek immediate medical attention as soon as possible.
Guest article written by: 
Holly Ozanne is a growth hacker and content creator at Venta Marketing. She’s passionate about digital culture and wants to shine a light on how it impacts human communication and our future.