How to lose weight playing computer games - VR games for weight loss

How does the body react to VR? What sports games exist in virtual space? How does VR affect training?

Answers from the founder of the VR GO project and a fitness trainer.

Virtual reality is slowly creeping into our everyday life. It affects more and more spheres of social life: from online performances to full-fledged training in a special helmet. And it must be said that often such trainings are no worse than classic classes in the gym. Fans of computer games will like this format much more, because it’s a great reason to combine pleasant and useful.

Founder of VR GO, a project aimed at rehabilitating people who have had a stroke

In the virtual world, the brain receives information through the eyes. And the central nervous system processes this data and tells the body what to do and feel. The virtual world acts on the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory and creating mental maps of your surroundings. VR also affects the vestibular apparatus, which relays movement information to the brain.

During activities, the proprioreceptors responsible for the perception of the body in space are activated. However, the body feels the virtual world differently than the real world because the signals from the vestibular apparatus and vision do not match. We see movements, but the body stays in place.

How can VR affect your workouts?

fitness trainer, nutritionist, body fitness athlete

Gamification can affect a workout in an extremely positive way. When there is excitement in the load, the body increases energy expenditure and does not pay attention to fatigue. That’s why a half-hour dance workout can be much more beneficial than the same amount of time spent on the treadmill.

5 VR sports games that will make you sweat

Holopoint – Archery Simulator

It may seem that there’s nothing tedious about regular archery. But this is only at first glance. The game puts you in a world where you need not just to shoot at the center of the target, but to shoot back from waves of enemies. Quick turns in different directions, inclines, squats – all this will provide you with an intense workout. And also here you can coolly train agility, respiratory system and vestibular apparatus.

Sprint vector – obstacle course racing

Here you will have to compete with other players to win the race. Except that you won’t need to go to the stadium. The game is multiplayer. A lot of real people like you will meet in the VR-arena. There they will have to run, jump, swim, fly – and all this with the help of active body movements. After such a game, you may need not only a rest, but also a shower.

Holofit is an app that connects with exercise machines

This is a very special story. To use the app, you need not only a helmet, but also a trainer that connects with VR. You can “ride” a bike through the streets of Paris, London or Berlin. Or “float” a canoe down a rushing river. Sounds more exciting than a regular workout, doesn’t it? The technology isn’t very accessible yet. But it’s only a matter of time before it is.

Dance Central for the Oculus Rift is a dance game

Dancing is a very energy-consuming activity. Lots of different movements, rhythm, speed. However, not everyone will dare to such a sports expression because of the uncertainty in their own skills. You can practice in Dance Central. In the game you need to exactly repeat all the movements shown by the model. All it takes is energy and dedication.

FitXR – virtual boxing workouts

You only need to change your stance and throw punches in combinations, according to the markers that fly at you. Through the joystick, the strength of the blow is taken into account, which will determine the number of points scored. Toward the end of the game, the muscles of your hands can get so badly “clogged” that it becomes very difficult to hit. Fitness and dancing appeared in the latest update.

If you are bored with the usual training in the gym, try virtual training. It will diversify your classes and raise your mood.