So you’ve got your Meta Quest headset! Congrats! And you’re right: Meta Quest offers great fitness options.
Virtual reality fitness has transformed how we work out, making exercise more engaging, immersive, and enjoyable.
Various VR fitness apps, including our very own HOLOFIT ,can turn your living room into a fitness playground, bring about a whole other universe, and make fitness fun, so much so that you forget that you’re exercising.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through setting up your Meta Quest for VR fitness workouts and unlocking the full potential of your VR headset.
1. Introduction to VR Fitness
Imagine escaping to a tropical beach or rowing down the Nile while burning calories and getting fitter.
VR fitness is no longer a futuristic idea—it’s here and accessible to anyone with a VR headset like the Meta Quest. Not only does VR make workouts more engaging, but it also helps you stay motivated and consistent, kind of like that game you keep returning to (Candy Crush, anyone?).
To use most VR fitness apps, you’ll only need your Meta Quest headset and a WiFi connection (for bodyweight exercises), but some apps may require additional equipment.
However, before we delve into the apps, let’s first cover the unboxing and initial setup of the Meta Quest headset for VR fitness.
2. Unboxing and Initial Setup of the Meta Quest
Getting started begins with unboxing your Meta Quest. Here’s what you need to know:
What’s in the Box
- Meta Quest headset
- Two controllers
- Charging cable and power adapter
- Glasses spacer (for those who wear glasses)
Charging and Setting Up
- Charge the Headset: Plug in your Meta Quest using the provided cable and power adapter. Make sure it’s fully charged before setup to avoid interruptions.
- Download the Meta Quest App: Install the Meta Quest app on your smartphone, available for iOS and Android.
- Pair Your Headset: Follow the app’s prompts to pair your headset with your smartphone and create an account if you don’t already have one.
- Adjust the Fit: Ensure the headset fits comfortably. Adjust the straps and use the glasses spacer if needed. Customize the lens spacing to match your eyes for the clearest visuals.
3. Preparing Your Space for VR Fitness Workouts
To fully enjoy your VR workouts, you’ll need to set up a safe and comfortable environment. Here’s how:
Clear a Safe Space
- Move furniture and remove obstacles to create an open workout area.
- Ensure there’s enough space to move freely, especially for bodyweight exercises in Freestyle mode. Try to have at least a 2x2m or 6×6’ space.
Lighting and Ventilation
- Choose a well-lit area, but avoid direct sunlight on the headset’s sensors. You should always keep your headset away from direct sunlight or you risk damaging the lenses.
- Keep the room well-ventilated to stay cool during intense workouts.
Recommended Accessories (Optional)
- Sweatbands: Protect your headset from sweat by wearing a headband.
- Washable Facial Interface: Invest in a fitness-friendly interface for comfort and hygiene.
- Fitness Strap: Upgrade to a more secure head strap for better stability during workouts.
4. Installing and Setting Up VR Fitness Apps
Now that your Meta Quest is ready, it’s time to install VR fitness apps. We’ll take you through the most common types of VR fitness games and give you a few suggestions.
1. Trainer-Led Arcade-Style Workouts
Games like FitXR and Supernatural offer trainer-guided workouts that feel like immersive arcade experiences. Users remain stationary in stunning virtual environments while interacting with elements that come toward them.
Depending on the game, they punch, slice, or duck to avoid obstacles, all set to motivating music. It’s fun!
2. Fitness Machine-Based Workouts
Apps like HOLOFIT and VZfit transform traditional fitness machines into engaging VR experiences. If you have one at home, this is perfect for you!
With HOLOFIT, users can pair an indoor bike, rowing machine, or elliptical with their Meta Quest headset to unlock incredible workouts. They can choose from casual exploration sessions, guided cardio programs, or Multiplayer modes and explore breathtaking virtual worlds.
HOLOFIT offers a diverse range of environments—from real-world locations like Paris and NYC to natural settings like Tropical or Antarctica, fantastical worlds like Saturn and Cyberpunk, and even historical destinations like ancient Babylon.
Bonus: HOLOFIT also includes no-equipment bodyweight exercises (like FitXR or Supernatural), allowing users to enjoy the virtual worlds while performing boxing, squats, karate, and more.
3. Exploration-Focused Games
Unlike stationary games, exploration-based VR fitness games allow users to actively explore and interact with immersive virtual worlds.
For example, HOLOFIT features more than 15 unique virtual environments and regularly adds new ones, ensuring users never run out of exciting places to discover while working out.
You basically become Indiana Jones and explore fantastic worlds all while burning calories.
4. Rhythm-Based Games
Although not strictly designed as fitness games, rhythm-based games like Beat Saber deliver an intense workout as a natural side effect.
Think of Beat Saber as the VR version of Guitar Hero. Players face incoming cubes and must slice them in the correct direction in time with popular songs, resulting in a heart-pumping and highly addictive workout.
Pro tip: Use Beat Saber as a warm-up for some of the more fitness-focused apps!
5. Martial Arts-Inspired Cardio
Les Mills Bodycombat VR brings the globally popular martial arts-inspired workout to virtual reality. This app combines boxing, kickboxing, and MMA elements into a high-energy cardio experience, perfect for anyone looking to unleash their inner fighter while getting fit.
So there’s something for everyone. Which app do you want to try first?
We recommend HOLOFIT.
Downloading HOLOFIT
- Power on your Meta Quest and navigate to the Meta Quest Store.
- Search for “HOLOFIT” in the store’s search bar.
- Download and install the app.
Creating an Account
- Open HOLOFIT and sign up for an account if you’re a new user, or log in if you already have one.
- Sign up for a free 7-day trial and see if it’s right for you. Cancel anytime!
Follow the onboarding
The HOLOFIT onboarding will show you everything you need to know about this app.
If you happen to have a fitness machine at home, you’ll now connect it to HOLOFIT via Bluetooth. And if you opt for no-equipment bodyweight exercises, you’ll learn all the moves.
When the short onboarding finishes, you’ll be free to explore the app on your own.
Which fitness machines work with HOLOFIT?
- Any indoor bike or elliptical machine + Cadence Sensor. You can enable connectivity for any indoor bike or elliptical by attaching an affordable cadence sensor to the pedal. A list of compatible sensors is available at this link.
- Any rowing machine, in the Bluetooth mode (if available on the rower) or in the non-Bluetooth mode where the back-and-forth headset movement is tracked.
- No-equipment bodyweight workouts. HOLOFIT also offers bodyweight exercises, including boxing, karate, squats, and more.
5. Customizing Your HOLOFIT Experience
HOLOFIT stands out for its variety of workout and customization options, allowing you to tailor your workouts to your goals and preferences.
Explore Stunning Virtual Worlds
- Over 15 amazing worlds await your arrival. Will you choose fantasy worlds like Underwater, Saturn, or Aruvangar, worlds based on real places like Paris or Venice, natural environments like Tropical or Antarctica, historical worlds like Babylon, or worlds based on real sporting events like the Grand Sablon desert or Aiguebelette?
Set Goals and Challenges
- Define your fitness goals, such as calorie burn, distance covered, or workout duration.
- Take part in HOLOFIT’s monthly challenges to stay motivated and earn certificates.
- Try the guided Cardiogoals training. Choose between a HIIT, Fat Burn, Interval or Cardio workout.
- In the bodyweight Combo Workouts, select the exercises you want to take part in based on your fitness goals. Some of the exercises available include boxing, squats, slicing, karate, whack-a-donkey, and more.
- Try the Online Multiplayer. Can you win the race?
Customizable Avatars & Vehicles
- Create a unique avatar to represent you in virtual worlds. This personalization adds a fun, motivational touch to your workouts.
- Customize your HOLOship, the vehicle you’ll take with you on your workouts. Make one on your own or choose one of the thematic HOLOships available in the store. (Take part in Seasonal challenges and you may even win some truly special ships!)
6. Tips for Maximizing Your VR Fitness Journey
To make the most of your Meta Quest and HOLOFIT, follow these tips:
Stay Consistent
- Schedule regular workout sessions and treat them as non-negotiable appointments. You can even use the HOLOFIT Companion App on your smartphone to schedule your workouts and receive notifications. If you complete the workouts you’ve scheduled, you can even build a streak and win extra points!
- Track your progress using HOLOFIT’s in-app stats (or the Companion app) to see how far you’ve come and where you rank on the monthly and all-time leaderboards.
Explore All Modes
- Alternate between the available workouts: combine fitness machines and bodyweight exercises, or just switch up the bodyweight Combo workouts every once in a while to engage different muscles in your body.
- Try multiplayer mode to compete with friends or join a global community of HOLOFIT users.
- Use the Performance mode to check your progress. The first time you exercise, you’ll set a personal distance record that you can then try to beat.
Stay Comfortable
- Use a fan or portable air conditioner to stay cool during workouts.
- Take breaks as needed, especially if you’re new to VR fitness.
- Keep a tower and a water bottle next to your workout station.
7. Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even the best devices can encounter occasional hiccups. Here’s how to address common issues:
Tracking Problems
- Ensure your workout space is well-lit and free of reflective surfaces that can confuse the headset’s sensors.
- Recalibrate the headset if the tracking feels off. You can do this by holding the branded Meta button on the controller.
Bluetooth Connectivity
- If your fitness equipment isn’t connecting, restart both the equipment and your Meta Quest. And you can always contact support@holodia.com for additional assistance.
- Make sure your equipment is compatible with HOLOFIT.
App Issues
- Restart the HOLOFIT app or reinstall it if you encounter glitches.
- Reach out to HOLOFIT’s support team for additional help.
8. Conclusion
Setting up your Meta Quest for VR fitness workouts is simple and rewarding. With the immersive worlds of HOLOFIT, you’ll stay motivated, have fun, and achieve your fitness goals like never before. Whether you’re rowing through ancient Babylon, cycling across futuristic landscapes, or boxing in Freestyle mode, the possibilities are endless.
Ready to take the first step? Download HOLOFIT today and transform your workouts into adventures. Virtual workouts, real results!