Exergaming: why VR workouts are taking over fitness

Will we all be exergame kicking, slashing, and bopping to better health in 2022? These types of headlines have been around for the past two decades of growth in the area of video game and virtual reality fitness. 

This article summarizes the many games and platforms that immerse users into simulations, virtual and augmented reality worlds using various sensors, smart equipment, and Oculus Quest equipment. 

Oculus’ latest tagline: ‘Cardio can be fun in VR’ has been used and or adopted by games like DDR, Wii Fit, EyeToy Kinetic, Xbox Kinect, and Just Dance to name a few. What remains to be seen is whether these games can progressively improve users' health and wellness over time.

“VR-based training now has a really solid base of scientific testing. This testing tells us that being in VR creates a better brain-to-muscle (neuromuscular) link, which can help for not only a more effective workout but also helps a member become more bodily aware (which can help increase performance in other exercises),”

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FitXR online classes in Virtual Reality

Paying for a virtual workout with a trainer doesn't have to cost as much as a Peloton bike and monthly fee. For about $10/month and an Oculus Quest 2, you can enjoy different FitXR workouts ranging from HIIT to boxing focused sweat sessions with your favorite trainer. 

Obviously the photo provided uses no handheld controllers or headsets, and for many that is the most critical role of VR. 

Click here to read more of ExerGame Lab's archived posts involving research studies. 

gymGO Personal Training Online: Fitness on the Fly @gymGO_fitness

GymGO is an online and mobile personal training app that lets you connect with and train clients in real time via live, two-way streaming video. Developed by famous celebrity trainer Gunnar Peterson, it helps connect trainers with up to 6 clients virtually (online) and provides you feedback on your progress and goals for each workout.

Coaches provide customized workouts around the HIIT principle and are 30 minutes of fat burning and muscle building gold. They prioritize this short workout to accommodate those looking to get a short workout in.

I wonder how similar these features are to the older platform FitBlok popularized by Todd Durkin. I also wonder if there will be any fitness tracker integration into the platform?

What are the benefits of this program?

• Affordable: NO up-front costs to you. You are paid per 30-minute session/per client and you can train up to six clients at once.
• Convenience: Set your own hours and work from home, meaning less travel time and more productive training time.
• Grow your business: Market to your social media followers and convert them into gymGO clients.

Personal trainers are masters at finding the strengths and weakness of their clients through fitness assessments for:

• Resting heart rate

• Cardiovascular strength

• Muscular strength and endurance

Measuring all those things helps personal trainers gain insight into the needs of their clients and build successful fitness programs tailored to the individual.

Click here to read more of ExerGame Lab's archived posts involving research studies. 

Skillrow Indoor Rowing Exergaming @technogym

Working out in groups has proven to be a gold mine for SoulCycle and it's 70 studios and not being afraid to get sweaty with your tribe has structured near religious addition and devotion.

Skillrow was created by Technogym (as a solution to train cardio and power at the same time all through a group-based virtual trainer video game interface (aka exergame).

After listening to Tony Robbins interview with SoulCycle CEO Melanie Whelan it was great to hear how important it is to have crew members to actually take classes and learn from new instructors. But above all it was great to hear the structure of their training and ongoing commitment to their clients.

Here is a blog post from Tony Robbins on leadership and team development.

It would be great to see heart-rate integration into each rower, but I know how uncomfortable the chest straps can be for long periods. Maybe using the wrist worn monitors would be a good solution, but can get hard to wear as you complete your Power 10's and high intensity interval training HIIT exercises.

Skillrow Indoor Rowing Solution Offers Cardio and Power Training to Boost Athletic Performance via Fitness Gaming

Click here to read more of ExerGame Lab's archived posts involving research studies. 

Moov Personalized Virtual Fitness Trainer Wearable @Getmoov

Getting feedback on your running form or any other athletic skill used to only come from a personal coach watching you. With mobile devices and apps and the incredible growth of wearable technology, coaching is vastly different than it was even 5 years ago.

Moov is fitness tracker that pairs with your mobile device and syncs data when in range, but also stores data if you're not (a huge advantage) and similar to Polar, Suunto, and Sensoria's units.

Moov HR is their latest addition to the fitness tracking and virtual training category that states it's the first intense heart rate tracking program that responds to your heart rate output and encourages you or cautions you. Apparently pro sports teams are using this system to monitor workloads, workouts, and stats. You can either get the HR chest strap (HR Burn) or head band (HR Sweat).

According to their in-house field testing of the accuracy of their headband heart-rate monitor system it is very comparable to an actual EKG

From $59.99 to $99.99 both seem very reasonable for their price points and features.

Click here to see more stories about virtual trainers featured on ExerGame Lab

Click here to read more of ExerGame Lab's archived posts involving research studies. 

Competition for Personal Trainers? @BeachBody OnDemand @FitOnDemand247

After visiting a fitness center and speaking with the owner, I couldn't help but ask more questions about their On-Demand Fitness video kiosk. Apparently there are only four in all of New York state but they are popping up much more out west. 

The units tout over 1000 different programs and after purchasing the video unit, you will need a monthly subscription (2 different levels starting at $150 per month). Here are some of the more popular programs available:

• Jillian Michaels
• Zumba
• Les Mills
• P90Z
• Insanity

Will these kiosks squeeze out personal and group trainers?

I also noticed a simple exercise program for kids "Story Aerobics for Kids"

Beachbody on Demand is offering streaming fitness instruction to your personal devices so now you don't even have to go to a studio or fitness center. Here is a link to a review of the best streaming fitness video services by Goop. Here are some more services listed elsewhere including on Amazon TV:

• Acacia TV 
• BeFit TV
• DailyBurn
• FitFusion TV 
• Grokker Yoga + Fitness 
• Weight Watchers & Wello
• TopTen Reviews

Click here to read more of ExerGame Lab's archived posts involving research studies. 

Versus Virtual Fitness Trainer exergaming @versus_fitness

 Versus Virtual Fitness Trainer is an interactive kiosk designed to get you into shape with a customized fitness routine complete with your own personal Siri or Jillian Michaels (or Richard Simmons).  Following along to your personalized trainer and routine to reach your health and fitness goals - I always wonder how long people typically use a service like this. In some way it is very similar to the on-demand Fitness Kiosks available at fitness centers and the at-home market for on-demand video fitness programs:

• BeachBody on Demand - https://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/on-demand-workout-videos.do
• Fitness on Demand - https://www.fitnessondemand247.com/

Versus sort of reminds me of Pavigym's Prama and maybe even a little bit of Nexersys

PRAMA: The Interactive Fitness Platform from Pavigym on Vimeo

Click here to read more of ExerGame Lab's archived posts involving research studies. 

Virtual Reality Fitness: The latest fitness craze?

Over at CNN, there is a news piece about "Virtual Reality" Fitness featuring full room projectors while people are spinning. This form of exergaming has been around for many years and has taken many forms and names. There have been plenty of "immersive fitness" rooms that have used bikes, steppers, punching bags, treadmills, rowing machines, dance pads, and more. Of course to provide a "balanced" view, the report switches to a personalized CrossFit individual workout to compare the experiences. Now of course you're going to get a different viewpoint from a group-based workout, especially from the personal trainer working with indvidual clients.

Immersive Fitness is new initiative from fitness guru Les Mills and is available in Hong Kong, London, Paris, Stockholm, and Sant Monica.

Click here to read more of ExerGame Lab's archived posts involving research studies. 

Related articles

• Oculus Rift + Leap Motion = Shark Punch + Game of Thrones #Exergaming VR
• Fitness & Rehabilitation ATHENE #Exergaming Wins 2nd Place at FIBO
• FIVIS: Bicycle Safety Simulator #exergame

Wii Fit U (E3): Will U Get Fitter Exergaming?

At E3, Nintendo has been busy with their unveiling of the Wii U console, GamePad and Controller. To get the #exergaming genre going, this demo video of Wii Fit U show how the GamePad will sometimes display the virtual trainer while the on-screen action shows the background scenery (See EP2P #1). As with many other exergames in this fitness video game niche, calorie tracking is again a big part of the feedback players/exercisers receive (See EP2P #2). Having to stand to play Wii Fit U on the GamePad forces the head and neck into hyper-flexion (See pics below and EP2P #3),

 

 

 

Exergaming Points to Ponder (EP2P)

1. I suppose it only really works for slower types of exercises and stretches as it would be too hard to always have to look down.
2. How accurate are the formulas Nintendo is using in the software, and is it the same across titles and game studios?
3. Free from TV but not from neck hyper-flexion if held for prolonged periods of time. I wonder also how looking down while standing on the Balance Board will mess with your vesitbular balance especially those with balance issues, patients recovering from stroke, etc.

Click here to explore more of ExerGame Lab's archived posts involving virtual trainers
Click here to explore more of ExerGame Lab's coverage of E3.

Pics via cnet.com

Related articles

• Promoting health and fitness through exergames (slideshare.net)
• E3 2012: Nintendo's Presentation - It's all About the Games (multiplayerblog.mtv.com)

Wii U Your Shape Fitness #Exergaming Evolved 2013 (E3)

Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2013, unveiled in parts at E3 will allow players (exercisers) to create a personalized fitness program lasting up to four weeks, where you choose workout frequency and tailor it to your current fitness level and preferences. It will have 125 different workouts and 215 moves, although I'm not sure how many the previous versions had. Players can also connect online with friends to compete and collaborate their way to fitness. Notice the integration of Wii U GamePad where you get to call up game options and network with your online exergame workout partners.
Exergaming Points To Ponder (P2P)

• Will the GamePad provide assistance or tutorials on how to perform the movment or play the game as @DDRDiva mentioned, and as featured in the Wii Fit U (also revealed at E3)
• "Sarak aime ton status" is French for Sarah likes your status so there's the obvious social networking feature being incorporated. I'm not sure if the current network that boasts a pretty big user base has this feature.
• I like the jump in feature where a player can join the action without having to re-start the game.
• I also like how the calories you burned appears (and the people in your challenge) on screen - but does calories burned equal the points you earned in-game?

if Your Shape for Wii U includes detailed exercise instructions on the pad, it will be the best #exergame ever
— Sue B (@DDRdiva) June 5, 2012

Click here to explore more of ExerGame Lab's archived posts involving virtual trainers.

E3 #Exergaming Nike + Kinect Training

At E3, Nike just announced how Nike + Kinect Training will be be using Xbox Live and Kinect to further engage all athletes for evolved #exergaming. In addition to Nike Fuel, they will add reminders and periodic fitness assessments coupled with networking and challenges to help Every body to be an athlete! Sounds more like interventions, fitness training, and medical advice...although all package disclaimers and notices say otherwise.

Click here to explore more of ExerGame Lab's archived posts involving virtual trainers.

Related articles

• First impressions of the Nike+ Fuelband; elegant design, limited functionality (zdnet.com)
• Kinect Play Fit tipped for 360 with Joule tracker (slashgear.com)
• Nike+ FuelBand is it Worth the Investment? (enip1ez.wordpress.com)
• Nike+ FuelBand - The Inside Story | Video (freshnessmag.com)
• Modified Nike FuelBand Measures The Health Of Twitter Accounts [Video] (psfk.com)
• Nike FuelBand API opened to developers (ubergizmo.com)

Zumba Fitness Rush(es) to Bollywood #Exergaming

Zumba Fitness Rush just released the first exergame with Bollywood  DLC for a  major title and console. The three new songs are :

• "Beware of the Boys," DJ Punjabi (danced by Beto)
• "Bangalore Dreaming," Zumba® original (danced by Kass Martin)
• "Start the Fire," Zumba® original (danced by Tanya Beardsley)

Lose yourself in exotic Bollywood choreography and build your track library with the Zumba Fitness Rush Bollywood Style Pack. This 3-song pack includes the hit "Beware of the Boys" by DJ Punjabi, along with contagious Zumba® originals "Start the Fire" and "Bangalore Dreaming."





Click here to explore more of ExerGame Lab's archived posts involving virtual trainers


Remember ...The 8th Annual Games for Health Conference in Boston, MA at the Hyatt Harboside Hotel is June 12-14 -- under one month away! Register today at: http://www.regonline.com/gbew2012

Additional Games for Health Keynotes! Constance Steinkuehler Squire, senior policy analyst for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, will discuss the opportunities for videogames to address national challenges, including those in health, health care, and biotechnology. Bill Crounse, MD, senior director of worldwide health for Microsoft, will present “Connecting & Kinecting Health and Health Care,” which will explore how Microsoft and its partners are merging its information and game technologies to create global solutions for personal health and professional health care. Jane McGonigal, New York Times bestselling author and co-founder of SuperBetter Labs, will highlight the design and release of SuperBetter, a game-based social application designed to help people boost personal resilience and lead healthier, longer, and more positive lives.

To see all the latest scheduled sessions please visit:

Our Schedule Block Page

You can also follow us  on Twitter. 

Harley Pasternak’s Hollywood #Exergame Workout

Celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak will have Hollywood (#Exergame) Workout released this fall for Xbox Kinect and Wii. Looking at the first screenshots it appears that New Balance has a substantial in-game advertising presence as their logo is on the workout mats.

This is the second big exergame title with a virtual trainer and overall the third exergame workout (to music) announcement within a couple of weeks.
See archived Exergame Lab posts on:

• Wii Fit(ter) to Music #exergame? 
• Adidas miCoach goes #exergaming
• Zumba Fitness Rush(ing) Bollywood Styles into #exergaming

Exergaming Points to Ponder (P2P)

• All the gameplay shows no use of the Wii Balance Board or remotes but some of the graphics (see above) do. It'll be hard to do some of the dance moves on the board, and unsafe.
• It looks to be similar to Your Shape, Wii Fit, EA SPORTS Active / NFL Training Camp,  and Just Dance where you follow the leader / trainer.
• I'm still not sold on the interface without a camera showing live feedback (my biggest criticism of Kinect).
• Will there be Joule-like compatibility with heart-rate displayed on screen?
• I'm also interested in seeing the fitness data tracking feature as that is such an important areas for wellness and healthcare.

Click here to explore more of ExerGame Lab's archived posts involving virtual trainers. 

Remember ...The 8th Annual Games for Health Conference in Boston, MA at the Hyatt Harboside Hotel is June 12-14 -- under one month away! Register today at: http://www.regonline.com/gbew2012

Additional Games for Health Keynotes! Constance Steinkuehler Squire, senior policy analyst for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, will discuss the opportunities for videogames to address national challenges, including those in health, health care, and biotechnology. Bill Crounse, MD, senior director of worldwide health for Microsoft, will present “Connecting & Kinecting Health and Health Care,” which will explore how Microsoft and its partners are merging its information and game technologies to create global solutions for personal health and professional health care. Jane McGonigal, New York Times bestselling author and co-founder of SuperBetter Labs, will highlight the design and release of SuperBetter, a game-based social application designed to help people boost personal resilience and lead healthier, longer, and more positive lives.

To see all the latest scheduled sessions please visit:

Our Schedule Block Page

You can also follow us  on Twitter. 

Wii Fit(ter) to Music #exergame ?

#Exergaming with virtual trainers is a popular segment of the exergame market, and an Italian firm is prepping a UK release of Wii Fit Music to pump you up even more. O2 games will be working on a Kinect and iPad version as well, but no word yet on a release date and if these titles will be brought over to the North America. Since they are using European Fitness Champion Patrizia Salviato as the on-screen virtual trainer, they are probably in the works to get a similar champion or trainer (a la Jillian Michaels). I doubt it'll be her since she has her own line and has done the Biggest Loser titles as well. 

Exergaming Points to Ponder (P2P)

• All the gameplay shows no use of the Wii Balance Board but some of the graphics (see above) do. It'll be hard to do some of the dance moves on the board, and unsafe.
• It looks to be similar to Dance Central and Just Dance except that you can customize some of the features for a workout according to the beats per minute (BPM) of the song.
• There are over 200 exercises and 15 fit dance tracks, will there DLC available in the future and how much will packs cost?
• I'm still not sold on the interface without a camera showing live feedback (my biggest criticism of Kinect).
• Will there be Joule-like compatibility with heart-rate displayed on screen?
• I'm also interested in seeing the fitness data tracking feature as that is such an important areas for wellness and healthcare.

Click here to explore more of ExerGame Lab's archived posts involving virtual trainers.. 

Site
http://www.fitmusicthegame.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fit-Music/228234747257890
Reviews
http://press2reset.com/reviews/review-fit-music/
Press Release
http://www.develop-online.net/press-releases/84295/Fit-Music


Less than a month from now we will be in Boston for the Annual Games for Health Conference with lots of incredible speakers and workshops to fill everyone's batteries.


The 8th Annual Games for Health Conference in Boston, MA at the Hyatt Harboside Hotel is June 12-14 -- under one month away! Register today at: http://www.regonline.com/gbew2012

Additional Games for Health Keynotes! Constance Steinkuehler Squire, senior policy analyst for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, will discuss the opportunities for videogames to address national challenges, including those in health, health care, and biotechnology. Bill Crounse, MD, senior director of worldwide health for Microsoft, will present “Connecting & Kinecting Health and Health Care,” which will explore how Microsoft and its partners are merging its information and game technologies to create global solutions for personal health and professional health care. Jane McGonigal, New York Times bestselling author and co-founder of SuperBetter Labs, will highlight the design and release of SuperBetter, a game-based social application designed to help people boost personal resilience and lead healthier, longer, and more positive lives.

To see all the latest scheduled sessions please visit:

Our Schedule Block Page

You can also follow us  on Twitter.