Comparing Meta’s VR Workouts to Real-Life Exercise
Meta’s virtual-reality workouts are gaining attention for their effectiveness compared to traditional exercises. Using a VR headset and the Supernatural fitness app, users experience immersive workouts that rival running, boxing, and swimming in intensity. This innovative approach is making waves in the fitness world, showing that VR exercise can be just as effective as real-life workouts.
Study Shows VR Workouts Are Just as Effective
A study from the University of Victoria’s Behavioral Medicine Lab, published in the journal JMIR Serious Games, found that VR exercise, specifically using the Supernatural app on a Meta Quest headset, is just as effective as traditional cardiovascular activities. The study evaluated 24 participants, measuring their calorie burn and mood changes after using the VR app’s “Flow” and “Boxing” modes. The results were promising, showing that VR workouts could match the intensity and benefits of traditional exercises.
Leanne Pedante, Supernatural’s head of fitness, noted that there is skepticism about VR fitness, with many assuming it doesn’t involve much physical movement. However, the study’s findings help dispel this myth, showing that VR workouts involve substantial physical activity and can leave users sweaty and feeling accomplished.
VR Workouts Offer More Than Just Exercise
Beyond physical benefits, VR workouts offer an engaging and enjoyable experience. Ryan Rhodes, a professor at the University of Victoria, highlighted that VR technology can make exercise more enjoyable by providing immersive environments, such as standing on a mountaintop or a beach. This enjoyment factor can make it easier for people to stick with their fitness routines.
The study’s results align with other research, including a 2020 review that suggested VR exercise could positively impact physiological and psychological outcomes. The Virtual Reality Institute of Health and Exercise has also rated Supernatural’s VR workouts highly, confirming their effectiveness.
Building a Fitness Community in VR
One challenge VR workouts face is the perception of isolation. However, Pedante explains that VR fitness aims to complement real-world activities, not replace them. Supernatural has fostered a strong community of users who share their experiences and achievements online, creating a supportive environment similar to traditional group fitness classes.
Users like Jessa Curcillo, a mom from Ohio, have found that VR workouts fit seamlessly into their busy lives. The immersive and fun nature of Supernatural’s workouts has helped her maintain a consistent fitness routine, something she struggled with before.
Pedante emphasizes that Supernatural’s success lies in making fitness enjoyable and accessible. With only 28% of Americans meeting the CDC’s exercise guidelines, finding enjoyable and effective workout solutions is crucial.
