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Jogging for an hour will burn up around 400 calories for the average person. The same person playing Beat Saber in virtual reality for an hour will burn up almost the same amount of calories. It is generally accepted by experts that you need to burn 7,000 calories to lose 1 kilogram of weight.

Video games are no longer solely in the domain of the comfortably seated. The advent of virtual reality in recent years has seen the rise of many unique gaming experiences. These ranges all the way from stationary and claustrophobic horror experiences to energetic sports games that have you moving about.

Most VR games need you to have a large area clear of obstructions in order to play properly without bumping into furniture or other people. One of the most popular VR games out now - Beat Saber - makes full use of this space to have the player move their upper body and occasionally their legs too. Players are required to cut apart colored blocks in rhythm to a song while dodging larger obstacles by moving to the side or crouching rapidly. Faster-paced songs can have players move around a lot, which puts the player in a good tempo for physical activity.

What sets VR games apart from exercising normally is the entertainment value attached to them. There’s no doubt that running and swimming regularly is better for weight loss, but playing a highly energetic game like Beat Saber or Superhot offers similar results while also being fun. Players can compete with their friends in these games, can aim for higher scores or just enjoy the story occasionally after bouts of intense physically demanding game sections. 

Interactive exercise mediums like VR and certain console games have gained popularity lately because it’s the perfect way to have a challenging cardiovascular workout while also having a lot of fun doing it. For someone who loves playing games and wants to have an active lifestyle, burning 7000 calories no longer seem such a daunting task. It’s a fun time instead.

About the author: Maldivian Gaming League is a team of e-sports organizers and competition promoters based in the Maldives. For more information, check them out on Facebook or Instagram.