Games

Sports Fit VR App: Using Virtual Reality to Make You Physically Fitter

When Microsoft released their Kinect along with their Xbox series of consoles, it was introduced as a revolutionary technology – one that promised to bring the experiences and thrills of an outdoor game into your living room. Of course, that meant you had to spend a lot to get the gaming console, which eventually led Microsoft to stop producing them anymore. It would not be wrong to say Sports Fit VR app (available on Google Play Store) is taking that same concept to another level.

It’s hard to say whether this is a game or an exercising app because it seems to achieve both at the same time. You need to have a VR headset though, and you have to make sure that there’s plenty of space for exercising, so that you can enjoy it fully. It achieves everything, from running, to squatting by just having you play the game . It’s a neat way to involve all your body muscles to play the game so you end up having a complete workout. However, unlike the Microsoft Kinect, you don’t have to end up burning a hole in your pockets to enjoy the experience.

Like the Pokemon Go game, which became famous a couple of years ago, where you could explore your surroundings to catch wild Pokemon, there’s also a mode where you can do the same to collect coins, and quite funnily, chase butterflies. There are two such modes available inside the app. Apart from that, there’s also a mode where you can fly as a bird around the massive open environment, which gives you an enjoyable experience. To enjoy the entire map, you’d have to run or walk around for at least half an hour if you’re just starting out.

With more than 250 events to complete, this game isn’t exactly boring. Events include you to either participate in running-races (and also races with hurdles), or perform squats, push-ups, sit-ups, all of which help you to tone your body and become physically fitter. Also, there is an option to choose between 3 modes of difficulty, so the player can choose a higher difficulty level if they feel that the current level isn’t challenging them enough. Or, if you’re just starting to work out, you have an option to begin with the easier levels and then progress onto challenging levels. You can also track your progress from the available stats in the game, such as total step count, kilometers covered etc.

If only it didn’t consume battery from your smartphone like a hungry T-Rex, there wouldn’t have been anything to complain about. However, considering that the developer’s name is Battery Eater Games, it should be of no surprise. Interestingly, there isn’t a need for your smartphone to have a Gyro sensor embedded in it to enjoy this experience, which means it is compatible with many devices. However, you do require GPS / Location Services to be enabled in your smartphone if it doesn’t have a Gyro sensor. It is compatible with older generation phones like Galaxy S2, Note2, Note4 and runs on Android 4.1 (Jellybean) or higher.