1-1-2 My Encounter with VR Fitness

From Pandemic Weight Gain to a Virtual World

The pandemic changed many things.

For me, one of them was weight gain.

Staying at home meant less walking, less activity, and more time sitting.
Before I realized it, the numbers on the scale had quietly gone up.

At 60, I knew I had to do something.

But I never imagined that the answer would come in the form of a strange-looking headset.

The Trigger: My First Encounter with a VR Headset

My first encounter with VR wasn’t through TV or the internet.

One day, I noticed a Meta Quest 2 sitting at my workplace.
Out of curiosity, I decided to try it on.

I had never tried VR before.

The moment I put the headset on, I was surprised.

It felt completely different from anything I had experienced before.

My First VR Experience

When the headset arrived, I put it on immediately.

When I put the headset on, I was amazed.

I wasn’t just looking at a screen — I felt like I was actually inside another world.

Whether it was a futuristic city or a peaceful forest, the sense of immersion was incredible.

Fighting Pandemic Weight Gain with VR Fitness

Exploring VR was exciting.

But my original goal was simple: lose the weight I had gained.

I’ve never been a fan of the gym.
The commute, the crowds, the mirrors — it all felt like too much.

Then I discovered VR fitness games like Beat Saber, a rhythm game where you slash blocks to the music, and VZfit, which lets you ride a stationary bike through real-world landscapes like Google Street View.

Why VR Fitness Works for Me

VR fitness turned out to be perfect for me.

• No gym required
  I can exercise at home.
• No commute
  My fitness center is just a few steps from my couch.
• Pure fun
  When you focus on the game, you forget you’re exercising.

By the time I take the headset off, I’m covered in sweat — but I’m smiling.

Pandemic weight gain doesn’t stand a chance.