An intro to virtual reality rhythm games that might be considered exercise.
Beat Saber game introduction, Meta Quest version
Beat Saber is a VR game that’s been in my gear since I got an Oculus Quest (now called Meta Quest) several years ago, around 2019.
How the game looks
The player is immersed in a dark expanse of a room of sorts. Blocks fly at you as in other rhythm games, that you try to hit with glowing swords. It’s similar in game mechanics to Guitar Hero, SuperNatural, Oh Shape, and Synth Riders. Something comes toward you and you have to repeatedly hit, punch, or ‘play’ the thing to score points until the end of a song.
In this game, you’re hitting blocks. It’s a dreamy experience, if you like high-tech visuals. Check out the Beat Saber gameplay recordings (this one by LSToast) on YouTube. I enjoyed thevariety of songs on LSToast’s channel, most of which I’ve never seen at my still-beginner level.
Beat Saber as exemplar of the rhythm game genre
There are a lot of games of this style in the Oculus app store, so if you don’t like the music or aesthetic, try a different rhythm game. Beat Saber was VERY popular when I bought my original Quest 1 many years ago, so it’s still a must-have app in my opinion.
The game has a wide variety of songs and DLC (add-on songs) available. The included songs provide plenty of variety however, and I’ve only ever bought one DLC which was popular at the time. Beware the music in this game tends to be punchy and drummy — the game is built around beats that coincide with when you’re supposed to hit the blocks.
Most importantly for exercise — the moves are stylish. They feel good and look good. Family members walking by can tell that I’m having fun. Some chuckle when I describe how I’m slashing boxes in the air, and not playing a game that involves punching and shooting. And it feels like dancing — it’s rhythmic. Even if you can’t keep up, you’re still moving.
The game offers extra challenges such as ducking under obstacles and having to strike in a certain direction. Sometimes you need to reach your right hand to hit a box arriving at your left side, and vice versa. Over time, songs and movement patters get more difficult. I’m enjoying the game tremendously, even with old injuries. I consider Beat Saber a safe game for me. My brain and body parts don’t get confused about where they are.
I benefit very much from this game’s small footprint too. Beat Saber gameplay is exciting with objects flying at you. But you don’t need to move around. All you need is space to swing your arms around and lean to each side. In the game, you stand stationary on a platform.
Other rhythmic VR games I’ve played
I want to also mention Just Dance VR because it’s very popular. It has fun songs. Popular songs that include modern and older choices. You can view the song catalogue by decade and style. You’ll likely know a lot of those songs.
I have the 2024 edition of Just Dance, and my extended membership for its huge song library just ran out. I didn’t continue because I wasn’t really enjoying the easy games, and harder levels have sudden moves that are too hard for my injured leg. My go-to game for exercise is Knockout Home Fitness (my own demo) on the Switch, which is not a VR game at all.
I play Just Dance now and then for variety. I don’t need all the extra (paid) songs.
Heidi Bada
Why rhythm games are considered exercise
In rhythm and dance games, you can work up a sweat. If you throw yourself into any one game, you’re sure to feel like you’ve had a workout. It’ll be enough of a workout that you ought to do a thorough warmup before playing in fact, and gentle cooldown and stretches afterwards.
If you play Beat Saber then do some jarring or sudden movements in other games later that day, your muscles might get cranky!
It’s cardio for sure
I consider rhythm games as cardio exercise if they act like it: you move muscles repeatedly for an extended period of time, thus raising your breathing and heart rates. You burn fat and gain benefits to the cardiovascular system.
Beat Saber achieves this. Just Dance also achieves this. Many fitness and movement-oriented games achieve it too.
VR Gear needed for today’s exercise games
I’m all in for Meta Quest 3
I’m playing with a Quest 3 in March 2025. I bought it only a few months ago and I love, love, love it. The graphics are better than the original Quest, and the load speed is waaay better for this and all games. The Quest 3 also has adjustable inter-ocular distance (it’s limited in the Quest 2). The Quest 2 and 3 both run a lot of newer games that won’t run on the original Quest.
Older models of Quest might suit you
If you can get a Quest 1 cheaply, that’s okay too but some games have started to abandon it. As with other tech, games get more advanced over time and older versions that run on Quest 1 may stop being supported.
Picture yourself standing with just the title screen of a sporty game in your headset for a full 1 to 2 minutes. If you’re eager to move, it seems like an eternity. Start right with the Quest 3 if possible.
Regarding the Quest 2, I avoided it based on recommendation by many bloggers and YouTubers. My conclusions:
- I don’t like the limited eye-to-eye adjustment
- Comments about aftermarket headstrap being a “must have” upgrade
- People described the Quest 3 as a better fit overall
- My eyesight varies throughout the day plus need to accommodate friends’ heads, so adjustability and comfort is important
- Faster processing is always a plus
- Quest 3 is a huge improvement over the Quest 1 anyway for me
Problems with VR exercise games
Two issues arise that you should be aware of. They are not deal breakers, just something to know ahead of time.
The first downside is perspiration
- If working out long enough or intensely, sweat will accumulate in the headset padding where it touches your skin
- You may even find perspiration close to or on the lenses
- Your fingers will also be damp potentially, thus your whole headset may need a cleaning afterwards
My solutions for perspiration:
- Play in short sessions so you don’t build up a lot of sweat
- Take the headset off and do a non-game activity such as running up and down stairs to keep your heart rate up
- Wipe moisture from the headset regularly
- Dress in light clothing, and if necessary add a fan in the room just like you would with any exercise
Problems getting adequate duration of exercise
The second issue with VR games as exercise is related to other types of physical activity: games aren’t really exercise if the muscle movement is infrequent or too easy. Think about walking — it can be light and easy, or hard and challenging (e.g. hills). If you can easily talk while playing VR games, you’re not really in an aerobic exercise state, generally.
Infrequent motion in games can still be beneficial, theoretically, for muscle maintenance. This is the use it or lose it theory. If your game play is infrequent or not raising heart rate at all, go ahead and enjoy the game but don’t cancel your exercise plans after!
