VR training uses virtual reality technology to make workouts more fun and engaging. Clients wear VR headsets and participate in virtual games and activities during their exercise sessions. This approach adds excitement and variety to regular workouts and is accessible for everyone, including beginners. VR training not only keeps workouts interesting but can attract new clients, giving personal trainers a unique offering. Although it comes with challenges like cost and the need for extra space and technology training, VR training is a modern way to spice up fitness routines and keep clients motivated.
What Is VR Training?
VR training is simply integrating virtual reality into workouts. Personal trainers and fitness instructors are jumping onto the virtual reality train and seeing how they can use it to their client’s advantage.
Clients will wear special virtual reality headsets. They’ll enter a virtual setting that will have games and activities they can play. Because of the headsets, the games are fully immersive.
We haven’t yet reached a point in which virtual reality feels real, but it does add something extra to a boring workout.
Benefits of VR Training
VR workouts offer a combination of technology & exercise, providing the following advantages:
- Enhanced Engagement
- Variety
- Safe Environment
- Performance Tracking
- Accessibility
- Fun
- Good for Beginners
Overall, VR workouts can significantly enhance the exercise experience by providing fun, variety, and accessible options for everyone.
So why would someone be interested in VR fitness training at all? Often in the gym, keeping things simple is best. Why add something extra to your fitness classes or training sessions?
Here are a few reasons why people are starting to incorporate virtual reality into their fitness training sessions.
More Variety
People who love fitness and working out may not mind the daily exercise grind, but even they know that variety makes it easier to keep a workout plan engaging.
Do you ever get bored with daily runs or lifting sessions? Do you find yourself trying new activities so you can break through plateaus, avoid boredom, and keep your head “in the game?”
Virtual reality opens up new opportunities for variety. Every training session can be different. If you have clients or customers who hate the idea of a “boring” workout, they may enjoy getting fit in the virtual world instead.
Some trainers malign the idea of high-tech training tools and prefer to stick to the basics, but everyone can agree that any workout is a good workout. If you have to use tech to encourage someone to exercise, then use it!
Fun
Let’s face it: games are fun. Virtual reality may not be super in-depth yet, but playing fitness games in a virtual world can be more fun than a standard workout. Fun is what keeps people coming back for more exercise.
There are plenty of games and activities to choose from. Whether clients are cycling through a fantasy world or doing virtual aerobic dance games, they’ll probably be enjoying it more than running on the treadmill.
Good for Gym Newbies
Newcomers often feel nervous entering the gym. They may feel shy and unsure of what to do. That’s often why they take classes instead of going out on the gym floor on their own.
In a virtual reality headset, the rest of the gym disappears. The client no longer has to feel self-conscious because they can’t see anyone else and no one but you can see them.
They can focus on the workout in peace.
Virtual reality may even attract new clients. It’s interesting and not many gyms or personal trainers have it available. It can give you a competitive edge and help you get new clients.
How to Use VR Workouts
So how can you start using virtual reality in your training sessions? There are plenty of ways to go about it. Here are a few of the most popular options.
Virtual Cycling
Cycling in the gym is hardly an exciting experience, but not everyone has the opportunity to go outside and ride a bike through interesting landscapes. Virtual reality can give them that experience in the virtual world.
You can upgrade your cycling classes with virtual reality headsets. Instead of cycling through a bright and boring training room, your clients can cycle through rolling hills, nice beaches, or high-tech fantasy environments.
This will keep them riding for longer because they have something else to focus on that isn’t how tired they’re getting!
Virtual Reality Games
There are several non-gym games available that are actually great for fitness. You can use them as full workouts or as a warm-up before a more intense workout.
So what games are good for this? Any game that will get your client’s body moving.
Games like Fruit Ninja and Holopoint may not seem like they belong in the gym, but they’ll get your client’s heart rate up while they have a blast.
Distance Personal Training or Classes
What if you don’t have the ability to provide virtual reality headsets for everyone in your class? What if you want to be able to provide classes that people don’t have to drive to the gym for?
You can set up your own virtual reality classes. You can film and upload your own class and have people pay to take it. If they have a VR headset at home, or even a helpful device that can turn their phone into a makeshift VR headset, they’ll be able to participate.
This is great for things like dance classes and yoga classes where the students are following along. You’ll still provide other personal training services, but your clients can follow along with you on their own schedules from the comfort of their homes. See our blog on online personal coaching here.
While VR workouts offer innovative ways to engage in physical activity, they also present several challenges:
- Cost: High-quality VR equipment and software can be expensive, potentially limiting access for individuals or fitness centers with restricted budgets.
- Space Requirements: Effective VR exercise often requires a significant amount of clear, unobstructed space to ensure safety and full range of motion.
- Technology Adaptation: Users and trainers must become proficient with VR technology, which can involve a steep learning curve for some.
- Physical Discomfort: Wearing VR headsets for extended periods can lead to discomfort or motion sickness, which may deter consistent use.
- Equipment Maintenance: VR headsets and accessories require regular maintenance and updates, adding to the long-term costs and operational demands.
How To Integrate VR into Fitness Routines?
To integrate VR into fitness routines, start by looking at the needs and goals of your clients. This step makes sure that the VR technology you choose aligns with your clients expectations, whether they seek entertainment, variety, or targeted physical training.
Next, select reliable and durable VR equipment. Opt for VR headsets that support the intensity of fitness workouts and are compatible with your facility’s setup.
It’s important to educate your staff on the use of VR technology. Instructors should receive training to operate VR devices safely and effectively, making sure they can guide clients through VR fitness sessions without any issues. This preparation helps in creating a seamless and engaging workout experience for all participants. See our blog on protecting yourself as a fitness trainer here.
Is VR Fitness Right for You?
VR training is still pretty new, but it has a lot of potential. As the world of VR gets more advanced, there will be more and more uses for it in the fitness world. Hop on the VR fitness train now so you’re ahead of the game.
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