Alright, let’s be real. If you told me years ago, knee-deep in a League of Legends match or guiding my sons through Dungeon Defenders, that I’d be excited about working out on my VR fitness journey, I probably would’ve laughed, maybe offered you a controller, and then gone back to my game. Exercise? That was a chore for “other people.” I was a gamer, a dad living the Florida life, and perfectly happy (or so I thought) with my sedentary ways.
The Gamer Grind (and the Couch Potato Rut)
Gaming’s been my world since the NES and Super Mario Bros.. Fast forward a few decades, and not much had changed – except the graphics and my sons schooling me in Dungeon Defenders. I loved the virtual worlds, the competition, the escape. But between work, family, and late-night gaming, physical activity took a backseat. Hitting my late 30s/early 40s, I felt sluggish during my VR fitness journey. The energy for Orlando theme parks or keeping up with life just wasn’t there. The gym? Tried it. Hated it. Treadmills were torture, and weights were a snooze.
The VR Experiment: Starting My VR Fitness Adventure with the PSVR2
Then came VR. As a tech lover, I grabbed a PlayStation VR2, initially for gaming. But then I found the fitness side. My first taste was Synth Riders – cool and different. Then I tried Les Mills Bodycombat. BOOM. Mind blown.
Suddenly, I wasn’t exercising; I was playing. I was in a high-energy class, throwing punches, dodging, weaving – immersed and having fun on my VR fitness journey. I added Creed and Box to the Beat. Each session left me drenched but exhilarated. Les Mills is my favorite for that “real workout” feel, but they all get the heart pumping. Finding my routine (Synth Riders for warm-up, Les Mills for intensity, then Creed or Box to the Beat) was half the fun.
The Breakthrough: Fitness That Doesn’t Feel Like Fitness
That’s the secret sauce. VR fitness tricked my gamer brain. The points, immersion, and combo satisfaction hit the same dopamine buttons as a perfect Overwatch 2 play. The dread of exercise? Gone. Replaced by excitement for the headset on my VR fitness journey.
The results weren’t virtual. More energy, feeling stronger, clothes fitting better – I was leveling up my real life, all from my living room.
Why This Can Work for YOU
Maybe you’re like I was – a gamer allergic to treadmills, a busy parent, or just bored of workouts. VR fitness changes the game:
- It’s FUN: It feels like playing.
- It’s Convenient: Your living room is your gym.
- It’s Effective: You’ll sweat, burn calories, and build strength.
- It’s For Everyone: Find games you love, go at your pace.
My journey wasn’t about becoming a fitness guru; it was about enjoying movement on my VR fitness journey. Check out my Recommended Gear page for the best VR fitness setups to get started.
Join My VR Fitness Journey with #VRFitnessJourney
That’s why I started the #VRFitnessJourney and wrote Get Fit with Virtual Reality: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to VR Fitness. Check it out on my Books page!
If a gamer dad from Florida can do it, you can too. Grab a headset, try a demo, and let me know how it goes!
Share your thoughts below or connect on Twitter with #VRFitnessJourney!