Virtual Reality (VR) involves using technology to simulate a 3D artificial world, with wraparound projections and sensory feedback such as sound or scent to enhance immersion.
VR technology is revolutionizing fitness by creating more engaging workout experiences. From on-demand group workout apps to EMS training that transforms exercise into sci-fi games, virtual reality (VR) could transform both personal and group fitness training.
The Future of Fitness Training
Virtual reality (VR) has revolutionized our interaction with the world. Now making inroads into fitness training programs, VR offers some amazing benefits that help people achieve fitness.
VR makes exercise far more engaging than its real world equivalent, providing children and adults alike with an engaging way to make physical activity a part of everyday life. Disguising it as a game that requires strenuous movement encourages both kids and adults alike to move more frequently despite natural aversion to physical activity – leading to sustained fitness improvements over time.
VR has also been shown to positively affect balance ability for stroke patients, and can assist Parkinson’s disease and cerebral palsy patients improve their quality of life. Health and rehabilitation applications like these are driving VR’s adoption in future fitness training – and now offer users insights into their performance for enhanced training outcomes. Several headsets on the market can track insightful workout data that provides users with insights into their workout progress so that users can track improvements with each workout session and optimize training regimens accordingly.
The Future of Personal Training
VR may seem futuristic just a few years ago, but now it appears destined to revolutionize workouts – particularly for those without access to personal trainers or who feel intimidated in crowded gyms. Virtual reality fitness apps allow people to exercise from home in virtual environments while even offering games-like experiences which engage people further, increasing chances of sticking with workout routines and helping keep people accountable.
VR fitness games can be enjoyed both solo, which builds beginners’ confidence while helping them develop muscle and endurance, or in competition against virtual crowds or real people, making the experience more fun and motivational. Tracking progress on a scoreboard can inspire players to keep going; according to some studies, virtual reality fitness experiences have even proven that playing these games burn as many calories as traditional exercise routines; this could result in higher customer engagement rates for gyms and studios offering such experiences.
The Future of Group Training
VR technology requires special headsets and software, but new generations of systems allow multiple users to collaborate together in the same virtual reality space – something previously not possible.
As an example, doctors in Oxford can collaborate with nurses in Delhi as both are supporting a patient in real time clinical case simulation. This kind of group learning represents an impressive advance for VR technology that will allow organizations to scale training more effectively than before.
PwC recently conducted a study that concluded the price point for purchasing the whole headset ecosystem (including sanitization costs) has now become comparable with classroom training costs, making VR an increasingly viable solution for teams that work remotely and employees looking to retrain or upskill on-the-job without leaving home or office.
The Future of Entertainment
VR technology offers users a variety of entertainment experiences. It involves the display of virtual environments on headsets with associated input devices such as motion controllers that track user’s movement and sensors for providing haptic feedback.
VR technology is already being implemented at several museums to digitally recreate their venues and allow visitors to virtually tour them, but its applications span sports, travel, education/training/art. VR could enable us to visit new museum openings or explore natural environments without leaving home.
At present, Virtual Reality (VR) remains too expensive for most people, but prices should decrease as the market matures. Gaming dominates much of the VR market while other types of immersive tech have also seen considerable growth – for instance a virtual reality exercise class has shown to promote PA and increase long-term adherence to fitness behaviors.