[{"content":{"text":"Going into the new year, we all have our fitness goals laid out. Unfortunately, the gym is overcrowded, the weather stinks, and it's hard to get out of the house for a proper workout.<\/p>That's where your VR headset comes in, with virtual and mixed reality games for everyone to give your body a workout without you even realizing you're exercising. Sorry, no workout apps allowed in this list (ok so there's one but it makes it super cool). Instead, we compiled top games from some of our favorite developers that we think are must-haves for those looking to stay active in VR without sacrificing gameplay.<\/p>Updated for 2026<\/em><\/strong><\/p>"},"id":"2d3c2892-9192-4dea-9b04-669cbd5c788f","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"Until You Fall<\/em>","customid":""},"id":"c9f22ffb-df4c-46ea-a9b7-af051238afa2","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":"Available On:<\/strong> Meta Horizon Store<\/a>, PSVR<\/a>, SteamVR<\/a>, Humble Store<\/a><\/p>Until You Fall<\/em><\/a> by Schell Games (hey, that's us) is full of pulse-pounding, sword slashing action, but you may not think of it as a fitness game until you realize you are soaked in sweat from all of the turning, ducking, dodging, blocking, and stabbing the game has you perform. The VR Health Institute<\/a> has rated the game the same exercise level as playing tennis, making this a fantastic workout you can do in minimal space indoors. <\/p>For the best exercise routine with this title, try to push yourself<\/a> to use the highest difficulty you can survive on for as long as possible. You don't want to be respawning every two minutes, so match your skill to whatever keeps you alive to start, then slowly ramp up the difficulty to make the workout even better.<\/p>"},"id":"0ec78c8d-1d14-466e-b3a5-6ae794123407","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"web","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=WCp6OIT2aXY","video":[],"poster":[],"caption":"","autoplay":"false","muted":"true","loop":"false","controls":"true","preload":"auto"},"id":"f1e8fc1f-cf49-46dd-990b-0d3dc2153a72","isHidden":false,"type":"videoBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"Arken Age<\/em>","customid":""},"id":"7806f98d-b8b8-435c-8aa1-564d007cedeb","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":"Available On:<\/strong> Meta Quest Store<\/a>, SteamVR<\/a>, PSVR 2<\/a><\/p>Full body, physics-based combat is the promise of 2025's Arken Age<\/em> by Vitruvius VR<\/a>. Take the combat of Until You Fall and add weight to the swings and it's a great look at how combat has evolved on VR platforms over time. Plus, movement is all dependent on your physical body. Want to swim? Better paddle those arms. Want to get up that sheer cliffface? Time to get out your climbing gear and reach up. <\/p>This is an easy full body workout tucked inside a gorgeous fantasy world that rewards exploration (it's one of the most open-ended VR titles I've played) making it perfect for doing specific battles to work out a muscle group or simply use the locomotion to get around as a warm-up or cooldown.<\/p>"},"id":"1bdc2d4f-3bac-4983-ad31-226af7f54b23","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"web","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=-gOuzmjk8As","video":[],"poster":[],"caption":"","autoplay":"false","muted":"true","loop":"false","controls":"true","preload":"auto"},"id":"2d21a4c3-af58-4c36-b466-fe09654b783d","isHidden":false,"type":"videoBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"Skydance's Behemoth<\/em>","customid":""},"id":"215c1f69-04b2-494c-81a8-1686b3c8e068","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":"Available On:<\/strong> Meta Horizon Store<\/a>, SteamVR<\/a>, PSVR 2<\/a><\/p>Take the full-body combat of Arken Age, add giant boss battles, a grappling hook, and tons of verticality and you've got Skydance's Behemoth<\/em><\/a> from Skydance Media.<\/p>I love the workout I get from this game for two main reasons: combat isn't just waggling your controller; you have to physically block massive strikes and put your whole body into swinging weapons. Even cooler is when you're scaling the Behemoths themselves, which is essentially a 10-minute session on a climbing wall. Be prepared to pause for a break after each major fight.<\/p>"},"id":"4fb970ce-7c76-45c6-9a61-bfc316ddcfde","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"web","url":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/GWiV9QwKOr0","video":[],"poster":[],"caption":"","autoplay":"false","muted":"true","loop":"false","controls":"true","preload":"auto"},"id":"a03ea83e-7f41-48db-81d2-703c5b405aed","isHidden":false,"type":"videoBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"Pistol Whip<\/em>","customid":""},"id":"5460d39c-f1d7-4735-b94c-7fe3924ef694","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":"Available On:<\/strong> Meta Horizon Store<\/a>, PSVR<\/a>, SteamVR<\/a>, Humble Store<\/a>, Pico<\/a><\/p>You might think we've lost it for including Pistol Whip<\/em><\/a> <\/em>on this list, but hear us out. Sure, the base game (developed by Cloudhead Games<\/a>) is pretty stationary, but with a few quick modifications you can turn this rhythm shooter into one of the best workouts you can get in VR.<\/p>Head to your menus, turn on Vengeance and Bullet Hell, and equip yourself with dual revolvers. Now, start arcade mode. Get ready to move! Enemies will continuously fire at you and you only have 12 shots, ensuring you never stop dodging or moving your arms to reload. Thanks to VR Exercise Guide's video below for the great tips!<\/p>"},"id":"4cc4d0b9-cf40-46c0-b95f-dac04b27fac1","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"web","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=MJXwwNJQ9gA","video":[],"poster":[],"caption":"","autoplay":"false","muted":"true","loop":"false","controls":"true","preload":"auto"},"id":"2826cea5-bbba-4711-b3ce-61de7f1c9b02","isHidden":false,"type":"videoBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"Party Versus<\/em>","customid":""},"id":"d1fd03b3-f312-4ef8-9d1c-b8ab8c91f4de","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":"Available On:<\/strong> Meta Horizon Store<\/a><\/p>Wario Ware-style minigames that'll have you breaking a sweat is the promise of Party Versus<\/em><\/a>, one of Schell Games' newest games exclusively on Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S. While the objectives are deceptively simple like throwing a hot potato or eating a cupcake, the workout comes from each game being an anaerobic sprint to complete objectives as quickly as possible and win the coveted neon Party Crown.<\/p>Party Versus<\/em> uses your entire room as the playspace, so get creative when you plan your workouts. Rearrange furniture to add more obstacles to sidestep or avoid, and focus on games like Spike Ball or Pop Pals to ensure you never stop moving.<\/p>"},"id":"874d7e21-2873-481d-b752-8e97f5ea7bc8","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"web","url":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/Y_TQ2u6Y9O0?feature=shared","video":[],"poster":[],"caption":"","autoplay":"false","muted":"true","loop":"false","controls":"true","preload":"auto"},"id":"d84f87d1-621d-44db-ac95-b5b083eaecf8","isHidden":false,"type":"videoBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"Gorilla Tag<\/em>","customid":""},"id":"14a3e29b-71b7-430d-ae1f-4bc7432b5de6","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":"Available On:<\/strong> Meta Horizon Store<\/a>, SteamVR<\/a><\/p>Yes, the meme potential and Gen Z appeal of Gorilla Tag<\/em><\/a> <\/em>by Another Axiom<\/a> <\/em>rivals anything out there right now, but you should also be playing this with your kids thanks to the intense upper body workout this game can provide.<\/p>Basic movement in this wacky game of virtual reality tag is done by pawing forward in front of you or pounding on the ground to jump, but your skills will quickly evolve into advanced tactics like wall jumping, climbing polls, and pinch climbing that will quickly elevate your heart rate as you share some very meme-able moments juking your friends and family.<\/p>Pro Tip: Snag a pair of these controller extenders<\/a> to give yourself even more versatility with movements and a much better grip.<\/p>"},"id":"86659235-84aa-4607-9ba5-56a964ecd0c8","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"web","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=7dLtcMNkPZM","video":[],"poster":[],"caption":"","autoplay":"false","muted":"true","loop":"false","controls":"true","preload":"auto"},"id":"b0aeab02-13cd-4442-b39a-3183d346395e","isHidden":false,"type":"videoBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"Dodgecraft<\/em>","customid":""},"id":"1deb81b4-28f1-44d4-87f7-408c92536b4d","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":"Available On:<\/strong> Meta Horizon Store<\/a>, PSVR 2<\/a><\/p>Want to hone your reflexes? DodgeCraft<\/em><\/a> by Incisiv is the ultimate workout plan, with two game modes that do just that. <\/p>Dodge'Em mode throws a relentless torrent of meteorites towards you that requires full side to side movement and ducking to avoid the obstacles. The most fun game mode is Run the Gauntlet, where foes run towards you and attempt to sidestep and get past. Your goal it so shove them off the platform and into deep space by reacting to their moves and pushing them into oblivion.<\/p>This workout is perfect for people working on their reflexes, and especially makes sense for defensive football players and goalkeepers in any sport to pursue.<\/p>"},"id":"572d80f9-8a07-4a32-a7c9-85e14c5ea8c4","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"web","url":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/wcj26f9dY58","video":[],"poster":[],"caption":"","autoplay":"false","muted":"true","loop":"false","controls":"true","preload":"auto"},"id":"0d1100d3-4486-4d36-a493-bd18a376f986","isHidden":false,"type":"videoBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"Beat Saber<\/em>","customid":""},"id":"4170a286-5c50-40d2-a8e2-2d4ce7c70f13","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":"Available On:<\/strong> Meta Horizon Store<\/a>, PSVR<\/a>, SteamVR<\/a>, Humble Store<\/a><\/p>You can also use those newly acquired long grips for Beat Games' Beat Saber<\/em><\/a>, simply a must in your VR library regardless of your inclination for fitness. Depending on your settings, this can again become a game that also becomes a full body workout and keeps the calories burning.<\/p>It's all in the hips. Sure, you can just stand there and swing, but what's the fun in that? Crank up the difficulty to hard or expert, exaggerate your movements and move to the beat and you'll instantly see what we mean.<\/p>"},"id":"616b7487-c0d2-4e2f-8d59-dd6bddede56a","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"web","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=fziHnKhXKlw","video":[],"poster":[],"caption":"","autoplay":"false","muted":"true","loop":"false","controls":"true","preload":"auto"},"id":"64264129-a462-43c3-85bc-6f05d9c7e2ef","isHidden":false,"type":"videoBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"Reach<\/em>","customid":""},"id":"a716eb6c-d22c-40a2-9159-0e2e74c7274a","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":"Available On:<\/strong> Meta Horizon Store<\/a>, SteamVR<\/a>, PSVR 2<\/a><\/p>If you loved The Climb<\/em> and are looking to take that experience to the next level, 2025's Reach<\/em><\/a> by nDreams is in a class all its own. <\/p>I felt like the Prince of Persia as I jumped, climbed and zip-lined all with my own body. It's one of the most immersive movement schemes I've seen in VR, and the end result is you getting lost in the story as your body gets a full-body workout (especially arms) from all of the traversal and verticality.<\/p>"},"id":"75a1a8fc-71b9-45b9-98bd-1499af410b9b","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"web","url":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/3E9uUjL63oQ","video":[],"poster":[],"caption":"","autoplay":"false","muted":"true","loop":"false","controls":"true","preload":"auto"},"id":"7262c247-52af-4da6-972e-50559380e99d","isHidden":false,"type":"videoBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"The Thrill of the Fight<\/em> 1 & 2","customid":""},"id":"78ab4964-3ef7-42be-9ddb-434a0fbbc953","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":"Available On:<\/strong> Meta Horizon Store (original<\/a> and 2<\/a>), SteamVR<\/a> (original only)<\/p>There's plenty of competition in the boxing sim genre thanks to the way VR controllers are held, but <\/em>The Thrill of the Fight<\/em><\/a> <\/em>by Halfbrick<\/a> is our go-to when we want to make our Apple Watch happy and get out some aggression in the meantime.<\/p>Once again, the settings menu is your friend to customize your routine. Override the defaults and you can extend round times or the number of rounds, or decrease your glove size so you have to work harder for every block. If you don't want to punch other people, you can stick to the speed bag and other gym standards that also give a great workout.<\/p>"},"id":"2d077e45-c63a-4c75-9349-c1c4bbac38b6","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"web","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=lqxIDqK5QEw","video":[],"poster":[],"caption":"","autoplay":"false","muted":"true","loop":"false","controls":"true","preload":"auto"},"id":"f523faaf-dcf9-48cf-9fab-94519cb00258","isHidden":false,"type":"videoBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"Synth Riders<\/em>","customid":""},"id":"881f6e7c-4dd5-43c3-a27e-7bcfc18078e9","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":"Available On:<\/strong> Meta Horizon Store<\/a>, PSVR<\/a>, SteamVR<\/a>, Apple Arcade<\/a><\/p>File Kluge Interactive<\/a>'s Synth Riders<\/em><\/a> <\/em>right under Beat Saber for another high intensity workout while you're enjoying tunes you can shake your butt to. Crank up those settings to the fastest you can handle, and be sure to turn on the no fail and force mode options for even better, sustained workouts. How you move your lower half...well, that's up to you!<\/p>"},"id":"eec8f900-ac34-4aa6-8321-f98f03c9bc97","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"web","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=IOgwBgxIBYY","video":[],"poster":[],"caption":"","autoplay":"false","muted":"true","loop":"false","controls":"true","preload":"auto"},"id":"4b351cf0-e4db-48bb-b436-f71f6914b619","isHidden":false,"type":"videoBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"Stilt<\/em>","customid":""},"id":"e5691224-3dbb-4049-a4fb-120e2fc774ef","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":"Available On:<\/strong> Meta Horizon Store<\/a>, PSVR 2<\/a>, SteamVR<\/a>, SideQuest<\/a><\/p>Smack your problems away! That's the promise of Stilt<\/em><\/a> by Rekt Games, a bizarre platformer where you traverse with pogo stick arms that I couldn't get enough of in 2025.<\/p>You navigate the world by physically punching the ground to bounce. It sounds silly, but the repetitive downward thrusting motion is a fantastic triceps and chest workout that you won't feel until the next morning.<\/p>"},"id":"2ec40fa6-0ec6-4301-9aaf-9c6b9cd5dfde","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"web","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=0Roo8h3LnSw","video":[],"poster":[],"caption":"","autoplay":"false","muted":"true","loop":"false","controls":"true","preload":"auto"},"id":"f1f6309b-0ebf-4f07-836b-d09b5e1a2e2a","isHidden":false,"type":"videoBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"Spatial Ops<\/em>","customid":""},"id":"edebba95-0f17-422b-bb3c-2a484071b728","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":"Available On:<\/strong> Meta Horizon Store<\/a>, PICO<\/a><\/p>Spatial Ops<\/em><\/a> by Resolution Games<\/a> removes the on-rails nature of many VR military sims, instead using the passthrough capabilities of your headset to transform your physical space into the battleground itself. You can set up barricades and challenge yourself to sprint to and from cover, using your physical body to peak around cover and jump to safety to avoid an errant grenade.<\/p>We even have employees that take their headsets outside and play this through their entire yard. While our lawyers say I can't tell you to do the same, if you just happen to power this game on outside who knows what might happens?<\/p>"},"id":"4a675640-37e3-4969-bd54-de505ebc298c","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"web","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DgFHG6gvyOU","video":[],"poster":[],"caption":"","autoplay":"false","muted":"true","loop":"false","controls":"true","preload":"auto"},"id":"1b0e1a5b-a0df-45f7-ae36-824d88d75bb5","isHidden":false,"type":"videoBlock"},{"content":{"level":"h2","text":"Just Hoops<\/em>","customid":""},"id":"be5e588b-a939-4fda-a165-7217a3afa14b","isHidden":false,"type":"headingBlock"},{"content":{"text":"Available On:<\/strong> Meta Horizon Store<\/a>, Apple Vision Pro<\/a>, PICO<\/a><\/p>Just Hoops<\/em><\/a> <\/em>is the perfect example of a simple concept executed to perfection. As my basketball hoop currently has two inches of snow on top of it, the best way to ball is currently in VR (thanks, Realcast<\/a>!)<\/p>Tons of arcade style basketball fun is available on this slick game that requires no controllers to play. Just grab a ball and shoot. How much you dribble, spin, and hop to hit fadeaway jumpers is up to you. The trickshot mode for the Quest 3 and 3S adds your room to the mix giving you even more opportunities to move around and stay active.<\/p>"},"id":"b041fbc9-24c6-46f0-85fc-758d20225ee3","isHidden":false,"type":"textBlock"},{"content":{"location":"web","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=kb0ziRykuGQ","video":[],"poster":[],"caption":"","autoplay":"false","muted":"true","loop":"false","controls":"true","preload":"auto"},"id":"bf450357-2e6d-45a6-b690-60eb6bdb0afb","isHidden":false,"type":"videoBlock"}]
