The VR Fitness Equipment
What equipment do you need for exercise in Virtual Reality 2022
The most essential and basic requirement for workouts in VR is a Virtual Reality headset with position tracking. VR exercises are to be treated equally like normal VR games or VR experiences, no special headsets are required, VR fitness can be done with all consumer headsets with position tracking. Usually everything is included in a purchase, nothing additional needs to be bought.
Position tracking is essential and necessary because fitness means moving and therefore your movements must be able to be tracked. Different consumer VR headsets can be used for VR fitness. There are two different types: those who are connected to a computer via a cable, which mostly requires external sensors and there are the stand-alone, which do not need a computer and are therefore wireless.
All Consumer Headset Works
No special VR Fitness Equipment is required!
Some supported exercise vr headset
Virtual Reality Headsets
What is the best VR headset for exercise in 2022?
In our opinion, it is currently the Oculus/Meta Quest 2
Probably the best headset for workouts in the virtual world yet. It has good graphics performance and is relatively cheap to buy for $ 299. It’s a stand-alone headset and therefore does not require a computer. It has great freedom of movement, we tested the Drill Track with 10m * 10m.
The Quest can also be connected to the computer via the Oculus Link with a USB cable and be used as a computer-based headset. There is the possibility to connect the Quest to the computer via WLAN and virtual desktop and thus to use it as a computer headset for e.g. Steam. The disadvantage is that it requires a mandatory Facebook account link.
The advantages and disadvantages of computer-based and stand alone headsets
Computer-based vs. Stand alone VR Headsets
Computer-based VR Headsets
Advantage:
Power supply from the network.
More graphics performance because the computer calculates everything.
Better tracking with external sensors. There is also tracking behind your back.
Disadvantage:
More expensive acquisition costs.
A computer (gaming computer) with good performance is required.
Is wired and stationary.
Standalone VR Headsets.
Advantage:
Favorable acquisition costs.
No computer is needed.
Wireless, more freedom of movement.
More mobile, easier to take anywhere.
Easier use for the living room.
Disadvantage:
Tracking only from the headset via cameras. No tracking behind your back.
Battery based power supply, time-limited use.
The hygiene and the sweating problem
Keep your headset clean
By practicing fitness and sports in Virtual Reality, or even most games, you will start sweating. It’s a big problem that is uncomfortable too! The standard face covers are foam which soaks up a sweat as nothing else can. There are alternative facial covers, we recommend silicone-based ones. They can easily be replaced and cleaned.
We also recommend wearing a headband during training to preventively stop sweating. It is important to clean the headset after exercising.
The lenses should always be cleaned with special towels for lens cleaning. Otherwise, the lenses can be damaged.
Better comfort when training with Fitness Interface
This Meta/Oculus Quest 2 Fitness Interface is a more comfortable and flexible option with upper and lowers passive air vents, as well a larger nose guard that helps reduce light leakage.
The main reason for the recommendation is the passive air vents, which prevent the lenses from fogging, which is often the case with workouts.
Silicone Cover
The Meta/Oculus Quest Silicone Cover is a great way to protect your expensive headset from wear and tear. The durable silicone not only prevents sweat from soaking through but also keeps the stock foam safe, so it stays in good condition for longer!
A form-fitting and non-slip face cover that fits comfortably around your head to reduce movement during workouts. It’s great for hygiene because it can be cleaned with anti-bacterial wipes or hand-washed soap and water!
Controller grips for better comfort during training
Controller grips increase the comfort
With controller grips, you can now punch like never before. We recommend using controller grips to prevent hand fatigue and make sure that your performance during workouts is at its best with these fixed devices! With these, the controllers are fixed without being held by hand. This offers better performance during training and especially in beating applications, such as VR boxing games, it is a great advantage. For martial artists, it offers a familiar punching like in reality. For our Mixed Punch Bag Unit, they can be used particularly well for the special fixation that is needed, because you punch into a real punching bag.
In some of our Cardio Units, you need these to have your hands free to hold onto your cardio device and operate it.
The controller grips turn your Oculus/Meta Controllers into a kind the Valve Index Controllers.
Simple trick against fogging up lenses
Prevent fogging up lenses with a hairdryer
To prevent the lenses from fogging up, we recommend warming the headset with a hairdryer before training. The lenses are fogging up because there is a temperature difference during training or active use. This can easily be prevented by the hairdryer.
Or you can use a Fitness Interface with passive vents, read more about Fitness Interfaces.
How you kick in Virtual Reality
Use HTC Vive Tracker for kicking
With the HTC Vive Tracker on your feet, it is possible to kick in Virtual Reality. They only work with computer-based headsets via Steam. The used application must also support it. In our units, it is the Tower Workout and Reaction that support kicking.
HTC Vive Tracker (3.0)
Get better training results with accessories
Get more success out of your VR Workout
To reach strength training and your fitness goals, use accessories from the real world. Weight cuff, for example, can be used to intensify training in Virtuality. Weight vests also work well and provide an increase in exertion. Resistance bands also work well for beating and boxing games, including kicking. But be careful about your joints, the same rules apply as when training without VR. Use devices for your heart rate measure. As member you can use Bluetooth heart rate devices in our XR Units.
Get moreWeights on the Controller.
VR Dumbbell – Get more Controller-Weight for VR Workout
To increase workout intensity, you can use controller weights instead of wrist weights. They are compatible with the Meta Quest 2 controllers and are interchangeable. KIWI design VR dumbbell controller, specially designed for VR fitness and sports, changes the VR game experience that you never have been.