Working out in virtual reality just might be the best of both worlds, at least in the fitness universe. You get to play a video game and get a workout in, too. Plus, you can do the workouts at home and with zero equipment (other than the VR headset itself). And for those who aren’t particularly fitness-inclined, mixing in a yoga class or a low-impact workout that doesn’t feel like a workout at all can be a great way to add movement to your day.
All that’s to say, VR workouts have a lot of perks. You’ll need a headset, controllers, and a safe, empty space to get started. But from there, the VR fitness world is your oyster. If you’re looking for recommendations, we rounded up 21 of the best VR workout games out there — including Alo Moves XR or Supernatural VR fitness, VR video games with breathwork techniques, VR dance-based exercise games, and VR boxing games. If you’re looking for a VR workout game to make your fitness routine a little more fun, keep reading to check them all out.
As always, consult your doctor before starting a new workout regimen. And with VR workout games, it’s important to look out for motion sickness, eye strain, and other issues that may pop up with VR rather than traditional workouts.
— Additional reporting by Jade Esmeralda
Boasting a wide array of class choices, including yoga, Pilates, meditation, and even sound baths, Alo Moves XR on Meta Quest aims to create a virtual sanctuary wherever you are. Featuring immersive 360-degree mixed reality technology, peaceful and serene nature landscapes offer an escape from day-to-day stress. Fitness classes are beginner-friendly, with options to progress to more advanced challenges. In addition to a main instructor, users can view mini-fitness instructors in 3D, allowing for different views of exercises and more opportunities to learn and focus on the technique.
Supernatural is a popular VR fitness app that’s reminiscent of Beatsaber, but more focused on exercise. It lets you box, flow, meditate, and stretch to gorgeous scenery (like Machu Picchu or even Mars), and the industry’s largest music selection. There’s also an option to work with live coaches, including none other than Raneir Pollard, one of the trainers who regularly leads classes, like a 5-minute oblique and ab workout or a 45-minute HIIT session, on our PS Fit YouTube channel.
Beat Saber isn’t sold as a VR workout game, per se, but it could certainly be one. Using a lightsaber, you’re tasked with slicing through floating boxes that are rapidly zooming toward you. It all happens on time to the beat, making this game feel somewhere between giant Fruit Ninja and dancing. The fast-paced music will have you sweating before you know it. The game is also available on the Meta Store.
For those who love boxing workouts but don’t want to experience the ring, BoxVR is a great choice. It’s pure fitness boxing, and you’re faced with colorful targets — prompting you to throw a jab, cross, hook, or duck — rather than opponents. The moves are timed to the beat of playlists (designed by real fitness instructors), which gives this VR boxing game a choreographed feel. BoxVR is also available on the Meta store.
FitXR is a dedicated VR workout game famous for its group workout classes, led by industry-leading professionals. Choose from boxing, HIIT sessions, sculpt, dance, and combat classes and wait for new ones to drop each week.
Fitness brand Les Mills — which you may know as the creator of group fitness classes like Bodypump, which are offered in many big-box gyms — has created a home for their martial arts class, Bodycombat, in virtual reality. The game features fighting moves like punches and knee strikes to work your core, and you have the option to work with coaches or do independent 30-minute workouts. The brand also features a mixed reality game called LES MILLS XR DANCE on the Meta store.
This VR fitness app connects to your rowing machine, stationary bike, or elliptical to let you explore virtual environments while working out. HoloFit offers several different modes, including training regimens, gamified environments, and simple scenery and soundscapes for when you just want to zone out. No exercise machine? No worries: you can still do freestyle workouts like boxing, bodyweight training, skiing, and more. They even have a companion app where you can track your progress.
If you just want to dance, you’ll love Dance Central, a VR workout game that features choreographed routines to popular workout songs that’ll get your whole body moving. Sweat to popular artists including Dua Lipa, Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, and Cardi B, and once you master a routine, you can compete with in-game dance offs and more.
If your goals include mental fitness and not just physical well-being, Zengence is for you. It aims to help players find their own zen.”In the game, you’re encouraged to use breathwork — which may look like just inhaling and exhaling, or incorporating vocalizing and humming — to dodge the Wraiths,” staff health and fitness writer Jade Esmeralda explained in her review of Zengence. The goal: “To help you identify, push away, and let go of anxious thoughts, and develop a stronger connection to your breath.”
It’s hard to say who Holopoint is better for: archery enthusiasts, or arm-workout enthusiasts — because, yes, your arms will absolutely get a workout from playing this VR game for a while. Channel your inner Katniss Everdeen and use your VR archery skills to fight your way through samurai, ninjas, responsive targets and more.
Another rhythm game for Beat Saber fans, AudioShield is a VR workout game where you block flying shapes with shields. You can add your own music (from YouTube or MP3s, for example) and the game generates a map based on the song’s beat. As you block yourself from the flying shapes, your motions are timed to different parts of the song. Audioshield can also be purchased on the Meta store.
Litesport: Join the Fitness Revolution is like a personal training session but in the metaverse. It offers over 1,000 on-demand classes across disciplines including boxing (both speed bags and mitt work), conditioning, battle ropes, and strength. The free, basic-level membership gives you access to 65 workout classes to test it out before you purchase the Premium tier ($19 per month), which includes complete workout access, popular music, and different workout environments. Check out PS’s review of Litesport, here.
If you’re a year-round cyclist, but the weather doesn’t always agree, you’ll love VZFit with Ring Racer. You can sync this virtual reality exercise game with your own exercise bike, or use it without one for an intense HIIT workout, surrounded by beautiful scenery from real-world locations.
Sprint Vector is like Mario Kart, but you’re the cart. With quirky characters, power-ups, and challenges, you’ll race against competitors by using your whole body to run, jump, drift, zip, climb, fling, shoot, dodge, and fly in this game that’s sure to get your heart racing.
If you love fantasy and games with a storyline, Blade and Sorcery is the VR exercise game for you. You get to choose your weapon and fighting style as you battle your way through medieval armies and enemies.
Somewhere between a dance game and an obstacle course, OhShape requires you to hit various poses to pass through walls that rapidly approach to the beat of the music. It’s a rhythm game that gets your entire body moving, and it was inspired by the Japanese TV show Hole in the Wall.
XRWorkout game engages your whole body with high-intensity workout moves like squats, push-ups, burpees, and more. It’s controller-free, which means there are more moves available, and you don’t have to worry about getting the controllers sweaty.
Swordfighting is everyone’s game with this VR workout. Improve your endurance and arm and core strength as you fight with realistic swords in full 360-degree combat. Sword Master VR isn’t a “stand still and wiggle your hand” type of fighting game: you’ll need to react quickly, duck and dodge, deflect incoming attacks, get your whole body in on the fight.
If you want to strengthen your legs, this is the VR workout game for you. Hot Squat and its follow-up game, Hot Squat 2, combines an ’80s fitness aesthetic with a killer fitness challenge. It’s pretty simple: You’re prompted to squat and side-step through obstacles, getting your heart rate up and doing plenty of squat reps in the process.
Similar to Beat Saber, Synth Riders is a freestyle dancing rhythm game. It has you doing more creative and diverse movements than the slashing involved in Beat Saber, and lets you play in different worlds.
If you’re looking for an authentic boxing experience without ever actually stepping inside the ring yourself, Thrill of the Fight is the VR workout app for you. You’ll work out in a room-scale ring, throwing jabs, punches, and more to beat opponents. Win enough matches in this VR boxing video game, and you can work your way up to becoming a boxing champion.
Kaley Rohlinger is a freelance writer for PS who focuses on health, fitness, food, and lifestyle content. She has a background in the marketing and communications industry and has written for PS for over four years.
Jade Esmeralda, MS, CSCS, is a health and fitness staff writer and a strength and conditioning specialist. A lifelong martial artist and dancer, Jade has a strong passion for strength and conditioning, sports science, and human performance. She graduated with a Master of Science degree in exercise science and strength and conditioning from George Washington University.
