VR Is The Ultimate Brain Hack For Fitness
Virtual reality (VR) fitness and exercise games offer several benefits, as highlighted by recent research. These benefits span physical, cognitive, and motivational aspects, making VR a promising tool for promoting physical activity.
Benefits of VR Fitness and Exercise Games
Increased Physical Activity:
VR fitness games significantly increase physical activity levels, helping users meet recommended exercise guidelines, especially in sedentary populations. For example, a study found that VR games helped workers in sedentary jobs achieve valuable levels of physical activity and mood benefits, with some participants only meeting recommended activity levels through VR gaming (Yoo, Gough, & Kay, 2020).
VR exergames elicit moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, which is beneficial for cardiovascular and muscular health. These games can replace sedentary screen time with physical activity, contributing to overall health improvement (Sousa et al., 2021).
Improved Enjoyment and Engagement:
VR exercise games are found to be more enjoyable than traditional forms of exercise, which can enhance adherence to fitness routines. Users often report higher enjoyment levels due to the immersive and interactive nature of VR (Khundam & Noël, 2021).
The gamification and immersive aspects of VR can make exercise feel less like a chore and more like a game, increasing motivation and consistency in physical activity (Tang et al., 2016).
Cognitive Benefits:
Engaging in VR fitness games can improve cognitive functions, such as recognition memory, due to the immersive and interactive nature of the games. For instance, a study showed that VR exercise games led to better cognitive performance compared to sedentary VR games (Sousa et al., 2021).
Enhanced Motivation and Adherence:
The immersive environment of VR can provide significant motivational boosts, making users more likely to stick with their exercise routines. Factors like interactive elements, feedback, and immersive scenarios contribute to sustained engagement (Kirsch et al., 2019).
The novelty and excitement of VR experiences can maintain user interest and reduce the likelihood of abandoning exercise programs, as VR games often provide a sense of achievement and progress (Alce, Hansson, & Mårtensson, 2019).
VR fitness and exercise games offer a compelling blend of physical, cognitive, and motivational benefits, making them an effective tool for increasing physical activity, improving enjoyment and engagement in exercise, enhancing cognitive functions, and boosting motivation and adherence to fitness routines.
We’ve had four UCLA university studies done on Black Box VR, and the results speak for themselves! Lose more fat, gain more muscle, get more fit, see bigger overall health improvements, and enjoy it much more than a normal, boring workout routine or gym.
It’s the exercise program we have all dreamed about, and it’s now a reality.
See you in the Arena!
Ryan DeLuca, CEO of Black Box VR
Ready to dive in? Let’s make fitness your new favorite game. Welcome to the future – welcome to Black Box VR!
About Black Box VR
Black Box VR is the world’s first virtual reality esport that combines resistance training, HIIT cardio, and intense gaming to deliver a science-backed workout experience. With gym locations open in San Francisco, Phoenix, Oceanside, and Boise, members are able to build muscle, lose fat, and get fit while playing an addictive game.
