10 Best VR Games For A Good Workout

10 Best VR Games For A Good Workout

As a seasoned VR enthusiast who’s been punching my way through virtual dimensions for quite some time now, let me tell you about two combat games that have left an indelible mark on my digital boxing gloves. First, we’ve got the adrenaline-pumping Dragon Fist VR, a gem that’ll make you feel like you’re right in the middle of a Mortal Kung Fu tournament! With its physics-based combat and variety of fighters to choose from, it’s an absolute blast to play. And if you thought I was good at dodgeball in real life, just wait till you see me dance around my VR room avoiding enemy attacks!


As a devoted enthusiast, I’ve been captivated by the exhilarating journey of virtual reality (VR) since its inception just over a decade ago. Time and again, remarkable games have emerged that promised to redefine the gaming landscape, leaving an indelible mark on this fascinating realm.

Although Virtual Reality (VR) hasn’t quite become a widespread phenomenon yet, there’s still a hesitant approach toward it. Nevertheless, people who own VR headsets can’t get enough of their time spent immersed within this digital universe.

One of the best implementations of VR is its workout aspects, as fitness-centric games and even combat-based games can provide great workouts for you. Let’s check out 10 VR games that give you a great workout.

10 Until You Fall

The Title Says it All

10 Best VR Games For A Good Workout

Game:Until You Fall
Developer:Schell Games
Release Date:August 27th, 2019

In simple terms, “Until You Fall” is an action-packed, roguelike game with vibrant visuals where you engage in numerous battles against various types of adversaries across multiple levels. Despite its bright and cheerful appearance, be aware that it’s quite challenging to play.

In this game, you’ll dodge, maneuver, and attack hordes of various foes, each demanding keen observation of their patterns and precise responses to conquer. The combat style is a fusion of physics and motion-controlled actions, and as you progress, you might find yourself feeling physically drained, adding significantly to the immersive experience.

In “Until You Fall”, progression means that your gear continually improves throughout your journey, making death not an ending, but a fresh start for you to grow stronger and prepare for the challenges ahead in the next attempt.

In this game, the bosses are exceptionally tough compared to other VR games, so get ready for a good workout when you come face-to-face with these formidable beasts.

9 Blade and Sorcery

The Ultimate Battle Sim

10 Best VR Games For A Good Workout
Game:Blade and Sorcery
Developer:WarpFrog
Release Date:June 17th, 2024

Blade and Sorcery stands out as a must-have title in Virtual Reality due to its exceptional combat mechanics. In this game, the fight scenes are entirely physics-driven, which means your real-world power translates directly into the game world. Instead of feebly poking an opponent, you’ll need to exert genuine force to successfully land attacks.

The new update, which includes a full-fledged campaign mode along with the outstanding sandbox mode, has made this overall experience truly exceptional, although it can be a little unsettling at times.

From a workout perspective, this game will make you sweat profusely compared to many others. You’ll find yourself blocking, dodging, slicing, thrusting, punching, and leaping as you face hordes of adversaries. What sets this game apart is that your physical movements are directly connected to the action in the game, which is a feat that most other games have yet to accomplish.

Additionally, it works seamlessly with virtual reality accessories such as treadmills or full-body tracking systems, enabling activities like running and kicking in the game, offering an immersive full-body virtual reality fitness experience.

8 Tales of Glory

Mount and Blade in VR

10 Best VR Games For A Good Workout
Game:Tales of Glory
Developer:Blacktale Games
Release Date:May 30th, 2020

Experience “Tales of Glory” virtually, where you assume the role of a medieval commander, guiding your troops through vast territories with the objective of subjugating all obstacles that stand before you.

It manages to take the experience of mount and blade and puts it into VR, and it’s remarkable as it was created by just one person. You’ll be taking part in jousts, throwing spears, calling your troops into formation, riding horses and charging into battle in an experience that is unparalleled in VR.

In this game, the physical challenges are integrated with combat scenes, akin to the game “Blade and Sorcery”. Unlike in that game, here, the scale is amplified, as you may find yourself battling hundreds of soldiers simultaneously per skirmish. The necessity for precision in your attacks, to penetrate armor and deflect shields, heightens the intensity significantly.

This game offers endless fun and entertainment, making it an enjoyable pastime. For individuals aiming for physical fitness as well, participating in the virtual battle could be a beneficial approach towards weight loss.

7 Pistol Whip

Sweating John Wick Style

10 Best VR Games For A Good Workout
Game:Pistol Whip
Developer:Cloudhead Games
Release Date:November 7th, 2019

Pistol Whip” stands out among virtual reality games due to its striking style and depth, initially appearing as just a rhythm-based game. However, the core idea revolves around navigating through different stages while shooting an array of adversaries along rail tracks.

Here, the performance is heavily influenced by captivating graphics and an excellent soundtrack. Interestingly, the music synchronizes with your scoring process, so you earn higher points as you fire in rhythm with the tunes.

In this location, speed is crucial for survival as you must move swiftly to dodge incoming fire while accurately returning precise gunfire.

You can dual wield or go with just one pistol, but regardless of the method you take, not a single one of these levels will be tough to get through without having to take your headset off for a quick cleaning.

This exercise regimen is going to put your cardio abilities to the test and may cause your arms to feel quite fatigued too. It’s important to stretch both your arms and legs before starting, as this workout engages the entire body. By the end of it, you’ll not only feel empowered but also see an improvement in your endurance levels.

6 Beat Saber

Feel the Music

10 Best VR Games For A Good Workout

Showcasing the coolness of VR has never been easier than with Beat Saber! This game’s basic idea is straightforward – just swipe the blocks as they approach, ensuring the right direction.

The power of the game comes with everything else though. There is incredible music, obstacles you need to dodge or duck under and tons of expansion packs that make the experience even better.

It would be beneficial for you to take a moment to stretch before starting, as the more challenging settings offer an incredibly intense workout experience within virtual reality.

When a swift succession of boxes, some high, some low, and others mid-height, are hurled towards you all at once, requiring you to dodge beneath various impediments simultaneously, every muscle in your body will be activated.

This game is terrific, providing an excellent cardio workout while showcasing the potential of virtual reality in everyday life. It might be one of the earliest VR workout games to gain popularity, and since then, numerous similar games have been inspired by it.

5 Skyrim VR

Being The Dragonborn is Hard Work

10 Best VR Games For A Good Workout

Skyrim , a game that continues to be a topic of conversation even until the end of time, has earned a place on this list due to its VR version. Although the melee combat in this expansive role-playing game could use some improvement, the archery combat is incredibly thrilling when experienced in virtual reality.

Engaging in continuous drawing and notching of arrows from your quiver during battle in VR is one of the most physically demanding activities. Enhancing this challenge through mods has become almost essential for playing Skyrim VR effectively nowadays.

I find myself unleashing an onslaught of arrows against my foes with astonishing speed, and let me tell you, the gaming sessions have left me with some rather stiff fingers in the wee hours of the morning following extended expeditions through this digital realm.

If you’re committed to the close-combat playstyle of the game, don’t worry, there’s still room for adjustments. You can modify certain .ini settings, specifically those with the term “threshold” in their names, to make melee attacks demand a higher strength level for them to register effectively.

Additionally, there are exceptional modifications such as PLANCK, which allows for a more immersive physical interaction during combat by enabling you to toss or grab characters, enhancing the overall tactile feel of the gameplay.

4 NFL Pro Era 2025

The Closest Thing To VR Madden

10 Best VR Games For A Good Workout
Game:NFL Pro Era 2025
Developer:Status Pro
Release Date:September 12th, 2024

The NFL Pro Era II has been rebranded as NFL Pro Era 2025, introducing numerous updates, one being the inclusion of defensive play options. This new version offers an experience akin to virtual reality Madden gaming, and it certainly doesn’t fall short of expectations.

Fundamentally, this game primarily focuses on simulating the role of a quarterback, and it delivers exceptionally well in this aspect. The throwing mechanics are incredibly accurate, but what truly stands out is its immersion factor. You’ll find yourself engulfed in the atmosphere of a stadium filled with 40,000 spectators, an experience that is uniquely captivating and worth witnessing.

To ensure accurate tracking, it’s important that your throws mimic realistic releases. Feel free to execute a swift bullet pass when necessary, or loft the ball high if a player is running wide open.

Additionally, there are swift maneuvers, involving collaboration with fellow players and the capacity to move about. Moving here is primarily accomplished by swinging your arms, allowing you some freedom to dodge within the play area or even attempt to advance for a first down if the opportunity arises, especially for those who prefer playing outside.

In the All Pro mode, a complete game will leave you dripping with sweat, and that’s only from your throws. If you opt for the defensive mode, you’ll find yourself working twice as hard to get those arms moving.

If you own a treadmill, you could combine it with other elements to produce a remarkably authentic football simulation; a unique gaming experience unlike any other.

3 Gorilla Tag

Move Like A Gorilla

10 Best VR Games For A Good Workout
gorilla-tag-1.jpg
Game:Gorilla Tag
Developer:Another Axiom
Release Date:February 12th, 2021

Gorilla Tag is one of the initial viral games within the VR community, earning its acclaim for a solid reason. Despite being just a game of tag, it’s nothing extraordinary on paper, correct? However, what makes this game popular is that it offers an experience exclusive to VR gaming and in the process, provides quite the intense workout.

In Gorilla Tag, you traverse the game’s stages just as a real gorilla might. This involves utilizing your ‘arms’ for walking, running, or climbing while participating in different rounds of tag online.

This might sound easy, but trust me, it’s far from it. Just walking around can tire your arms out, but chasing people around, having to climb quickly or escape from others yourself is an honestly exhausting workout.

Playing several rounds of Gorilla Tag might cause your virtual arms to appear as if they’re ablaze, suggesting that the game requires a good deal of physical exertion. Therefore, it’s advisable to warm up before diving in, because although its graphics may seem playful, this game offers a challenging and demanding experience.

2 Dragon Fist VR

Like a Dragon

10 Best VR Games For A Good Workout
Games:Dragon Fist VR
Developer:Ben Olding Games
Release Date:December 15th, 2021

As a gaming enthusiast, stepping into the realm of virtual reality, I can confidently say that Dragon Fist VR is like diving headfirst into a VR version of Mortal Kombat. If the idea of immersive martial arts combat set in a virtual world excites you, then buckle up, because it doesn’t get any better than this!

Here, you’ll predominantly rely on your arms for action, with punching and chopping serving as your primary methods of attack. Additionally, you’ll need to dodge, jump, and swiftly move sideways. If you have enough space, feel free to explore the room and maneuver freely.

In this game, battles are physical, which means you need to pack some punch into your hits. Also, keep in mind that the enemy’s artificial intelligence is quite intelligent, making fights challenging and not a walk in the park.

In the realm of less recognized virtual reality treasures, “Dragon Fist VR” certainly boasts an engaging allure. Mastering various fighting styles within this game proves to be a thrilling experience, not to mention an excellent physical exercise you’d enjoy participating in.

1 Thrill of the Fight

A Boxing Dream

10 Best VR Games For A Good Workout
Game:Thrill of the Fight
Developer:Sealost Interactive LLC
Release Date:July 1st, 2016

In “Thrill of the Fight,” the title truly encapsulates the experience. The excitement, the fatigue, even the agony – all are tangible as you engage in this game. You’ll find yourself boxing against a variety of opponents, and although it may not be the longest game, reaching the final match is an extraordinary feat, particularly when played on higher difficulty levels.

Experience the exhilaration of authentic boxing encounters with Thrill of the Fight! Prior to the action, feel free to adjust the power threshold in settings. However, throughout these high-octane bouts, you’ll need to keep moving, dodging, weaving, and throwing punches to succeed.

You’ll be throwing hundreds of punches per match and, trust me, that hurts after a while. You have to measure your approach to each fight here, making each shot count and not tiring yourself out.

This setup resembles a boxing bout exceptionally well and offers an incredibly efficient exercise routine. If you’re fortunate enough to have a spacious square room for your training area, you can move freely, simulating a real boxing ring, enhancing both the immersive experience and the workout intensity.

Read More

2024-10-17 22:09