7 Ways Virtual Reality is changing your workout and fitness routine

There are a lot of trainers and technologies out there promising to make exercise fun, but they might have finally cracked the code.

Welcome to the world of Virtual Reality fitness.

Check out 7 wild VR fitness apps, simulating everything from skydiving to bar fighting.

Icaros

A new downtown Minneapolis YMCA will debut two Icaros machines next year. The flying simulator has been described as “skydiving crossed with planking”.

Soundboxing

A “VR music video kickboxing game” available for the HTC Vive and Oculus, Soundboxing takes the concept behind GuitarHero and turns it into a full­body workout.

Holofit

If you’re comfortable strapping on a HTC Vive headset and then getting on a spin bike or rowing machine, then Holofit is for you. They’re trying to spice up stationary sessions with an immersive world and virtual coach.

Drunkn Bar Fight

For a far less dignified approach to your fitness routine, try Drunkn Bar Fight for HTC Vive and Oculus. “The more you drink, the stronger you feel,” the developer explained.

Racket: Nx

Offering a more sportsmanlike experience, Racket: Nx describes itself as “playing racquet­ball inside a giant pinball machine”. They hope RNX will prove to be the first eSport for Virtual Reality.

Walk­O­Motion

For the nostalgia­ prone, Walk­O­Motion is the perfect aerobic exercise. You’ll get to jog in place to run through the first level of Super Mario Bros and Sonic the Hedgehog. Unfortunately, it’sjust a demo for game developer Nimso Ny right now, but let’s hope it hits consoles soon.

Bitslap

The VR game Bitslap might look simple, but think again ­­ this is a high intensity interval trainer for HTC Vive and Oculus that will get you sweating fast.