Get-Fit Guy

Embracing a potential future virtual fitness revolution

Episode Summary

Virtual Fitness: It’s a thing (or is it?)

Episode Notes

Virtual Fitness: It’s a thing (or is it?)

Get-Fit Guy is hosted by Kevin Don. A transcript is available at Simplecast.

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Episode Transcription

This is Kevin Don, the Get-Fit Guy. Welcome back regular listeners and welcome to new listeners.

Unless you have been living under a rock, then you may have noticed we live in an age defined by technological innovation and rapid digitalization. 

For most of us, it is likely impossible to imagine a life without technology. Now, in our distant and also not so distant past, exercise was not something humans had to do intentionally. It simply being that in the process of aiming to survive, we moved our bodies. I have mentioned before, but in case you missed it, the biological definition of fitness is really just making sure you stay alive long enough to procreate and ensure the continuation of the species. I feel compelled to say here, because I know that people sometimes read into things or focus on something I have said out of context, that I do know that many people are either not capable of having children or do not want children. This doesn’t mean they are not fit by other definitions. I am purely talking about how biology determines the fitness of a species, that being that it continues to exist across time. I am sure everyone has heard the expression ‘survival of the fittest’. So, in the biological definition, exercise was an integral component of fitness because it enabled one to survive. If you did not get up and go hunt and gather, you and your tribe would not eat. If you did not have the capacity to run, jump, brachiate, pull, push and drag objects, you would either fail at hunting for food or fail at avoiding being hunted as food. So, this idea of intentionality of exercise is a new one, because I don’t need to spear any lambs down at Whole Foods or fight off other people for fresh water at Kroger. 

Exercise for many, if not most, has become about technology. Generally speaking, we run on treadmills, not across the savannah. We pull up on bars, not on cliff faces or branches. We lift pre-loaded machines, not rocks or tree trunks or animal carcasses. We need a device to tell us if we are rested enough or if we are working hard enough. So, why would we imagine that it would stop there? Recent developments in fitness technology, such as those placing participants into virtual fitness environments are becoming ever more popular. These include beat saber and meta’s Quest VR headset. Now, I have to be honest and say that I have not played these games myself, but I do have a friend bringing me his Meta headset soon for me to try. When I do, I will make sure that I report back. Until I can provide anyd subjective and anecdotal feedback for you though, I will have to make do with objectiveness brought to us by studies. 

Believe it or not, there is an entire organisation dedicated to the study of this: The Virtual Reality Institute of Health and Exercise. It should be noted that the institute is not virtual, it’s ‘real’ and it merely studies fitness performed virtually. This kind of language game reminds me of the philosophy of technology and metaphysical ideas of the simulation hypothesis. In this, there are two types of potential simulated reality: one is an imperfect simulation, where organic entities are inside a digital world and the second is an imperfect simulation, where digital entities are in digital worlds. In the movie, the matrix, Neo and his friends were in an ‘imperfect simulation’, in that they were actual, organic entities, plugged into a virtual world. In this scenario, it is possible to learn that one is in a simulation. In the second, where only digital entities exist in a digital world, there would be no way to learn if we were in a simulation because any evidence we could uncover would be simulated evidence. Anyway, I digress, a little. When we wear a VR headset, we enter an ‘imperfect’ simulation. 

The purpose of the VR Institute of Health and Exercise is to understand the fitness impacts of VR experiences on the human body. I think it’s no secret that when we think of video games players, we tend to conjure up an image of an overweight, unhealthy, antisocial gamer hiding in a basement someplace, with only online friends. This is certainly not the case, but I am still unsure if I myself, would call a gamer an e-sports ‘athlete’. Anyway, in 2014, the CDC identified playing video games as a risk factor for low physical activity. But Virtual Reality is definitely a departure from this risk, because movement is inherent to the games. Beat Saber, a game where players cut blocks ion half using virtual sabers to music has sold 4 million copies since 2019. It has also tracked 4,619,529,000 calories in that time. The arbitrary equivalence of running round the earth 1405 times or burning of 18 million hamburgers. Not too bad for a game. 

Other benefits to VR fitness are:

  1. Accessibility: You don’t need to travel anywhere to do it, just plug and play. You can also easily have ‘fitness snacks’ because you don’t have to commit to an hour. You can turn it on for 10 mins in your break and burn up to 60 calories.
  2. Convenience: Apart from being able to have exercise snacks, you can do it on your schedule. I often find classes I want to do are only on at peak times, when I do not go to the gym because it’s too busy. VR fitness means that you can join a class anytime, accommodating busy lifestyles.
  3. Customisation: VR platforms offer a diverse range of workout options, catering to a wide spectrum of interests, preferences, and fitness levels. Whether users prefer high-intensity interval training, yoga, dance workouts, or strength training, there is something for everyone. Additionally, many virtual fitness programs offer personalized recommendations based on users' goals, fitness levels, and feedback, allowing for tailored workout experiences.
  4. Privacy and Comfort: For some people, the thought of exercising in a public gym or group fitness class can be intimidating or anxiety-inducing. Virtual fitness provides a private and judgment-free environment where users can exercise at their own pace, free from the scrutiny of others. This sense of privacy and comfort encourages individuals who may feel self-conscious or insecure in traditional fitness settings to engage in regular physical activity.

Cons of Virtual Fitness:

  1. Lack of Personalized Instruction: While virtual fitness platforms may offer personalized recommendations and feedback to some extent, they cannot replace the expertise and guidance of a certified fitness instructor or personal trainer. Additionally, virtual workouts may not adequately address individuals' specific needs, limitations, or medical conditions.
  2. Limited Social Interaction: Exercise is not only a physical activity but also a social experience for many. Traditional gyms and fitness classes provide opportunities for social interaction, camaraderie, and accountability, fostering a sense of community among participants. Virtual fitness, while convenient, can lack the interpersonal connections and support systems that come with in-person fitness environments, potentially leading to feelings of isolation or disengagement.
  3. Technology Dependence and Screen Time: Engaging in virtual fitness requires access to digital devices such as headsets, smartphones, tablets, or computers, as well as a stable internet connection. While technology enables virtual fitness experiences, excessive screen time and dependence on electronic devices could have negative implications for mental health, sleep quality, and overall well-being.
  4. Motivation and Accountability: Maintaining motivation and accountability can be challenging in a virtual fitness setting, where individuals lack the external cues, structure, and social support found in traditional fitness environments. Without the presence of a coach, instructor, or workout buddy to provide encouragement and accountability, users may struggle to stay consistent with their exercise routines, leading to decreased adherence and motivation over time.

Virtual fitness represents a paradigm shift in how individuals engage with exercise and wellness, offering unprecedented access, convenience, and variety. However, it is not without its limitations and drawbacks. Have any listeners tried VR fitness? Let me know!

Any questions, email me at getfitguy@quickanddirtytips.com

Get-Fit Guy is a Quick and Dirty Tips podcast. Thanks to the team at Quick and Dirty Tips Morgan Christianson, Holly Hutchings, the director of podcasts Brennan Goetschius and Davina Tomlin. I’m your host, Kevin Don. If you have a question for me, leave me a voicemail at 510-353-3104 or send me an email at getfitguy@quickanddirtytips.com.

For more information about the show, visit quickanddirtytips.com, or check out the shownotes in your podcast app