The Best Black Friday Fitness App Bargains on the Oculus Quest Store

Being a semi-professional geek as well as a PT, I am a big fan of Virtual Reality and its enormous potential for getting, and keeping folks fit.

‘Fitness Gamification’ is, in my opinion, the next big thing in popular exercise and fitness, and it is not, I think, solely the preserve of youngsters. Everyone enjoys playing games – VR games allow you to burn some serious calories as you do it.

The first VR headset I owned was the original Oculus Quest, which is still an extraordinary piece of standalone technology, only recently replaced by the more powerful Quest 2.

I am serious when I tell clients that an Oculus Quest or similar standalone VR headset should be high up on their list for consideration for family home exercise equipment. There is a vast assortment of games, experiences, and simulations for the Quest which are, by design or not, physically demanding to varying degrees. They are also great fun and are thus likely to be revisited often.

As it is Black Friday today, I thought I’d highlight a few of the bargains to be had on the Oculus App Store. Most of these discounts expire tomorrow, so best get in quick if you’d like to purchase any. This list is purely based on personal preference and is limited to titles I actually own or have played. I have also included some links to the reviews and assessments of the fitness-enhancing potential of each app, provided by the Virtual Reality Institute of Health and Exercise (VRIHE) and VR Fitness Insider (VRFI).

Fitness Pack – £44.99 (-34%)

This is a collection of three top fitness apps, all of which I recommend. It is priced at £44.99 instead of £68.97 (that’s 34% off). Well worth the outlay, if you want to own three premium titles that will give you hours and hours of exercise and enjoyment.

FitXR is a constantly evolving app which contains two ‘studio classes’, Boxercise and a newly added Dance class. It’s great, works you hard, and promises to be even better in the future. The Virtual Reality Institute of Health and Exercise rates the physical effort of FitXR’s original incarnation, BoxVR, as being on a par with playing tennis. It gets a 9/10 score from VR Fitness Insider too.

Creed: Rise to Glory is, of course, based on the Rocky movie franchise, and is a very enjoyable boxing app. I love the training modes, especially when you can train on the hook and jab pads with Rocky Balboa himself. There is a multiplayer mode if you want to try sparring against a human opponent. The exercise potential is on a par with a game of tennis according to VRIHE, and gets a score of 9/10 from VRFI.

Sports Scramble is the third app included in this collection. If you enjoyed playing Wii Sports a few years back, you’ll enjoy this even more. It contains very playable versions of tennis, baseball, and ten pin bowling with added twists – anyone for tennis with a golf club instead of a racquet?!? – although you can choose to play the games in their original form. Multiplayer is also available, if you want to challenge friends or random strangers. VR Fitness Insider rate this one at 7.5/10 with an exercise intensity rating of 7/10.

The Thrill of the Fight – £5.99 (-25%)

The best boxing game out there in terms of realism. The only thing it lacks is multiplayer, but it still gives you the toughest workout in VR. A must-have at the reduced price of only £5.99!!! (that’s 25% off – it’s a bargain usually anyway at £7.99). It’s on a par with rowing for intensity, according to the VRIHE and scores a massive 9.5/10 on VRFI too

The Thrill of the Fight Game Review – The Ultimate VR Boxing Workout

Racket: Nx – £10.49 (-30%)

Racket: Nx is a great cross between squash or racquetball/racketball and the old arcade game, Breakout. You can play against an opponent online, or try the new Co-op mode with a friend. Great fun and a good, moderate workout if you enjoy racquet sports. Currently 30% off at £10.49 (usually £14.99) It gets 7.7/10 on VRFI, but this is a review of an older version of the game VRIHE rates it as equivalent to the effort you’d make on an elliptical trainer https://vrhealth.institute/portfolio/racket-nx/

Eleven – £11.99 (-20%)

Eleven is a superb table tennis simulation. Feels so real that there is a danger of you trying to lean on the table between games (TOP TIP: DON’T try it!!!) Multiplayer modes make it even more fun. As a workout, it’s pretty gentle, but you’ll still warm up a fair bit as you play. Priced 20% off at £11.99 (from £14.99) Scores 7/10 on VRFI.

Synth Riders – £13.29 (-30%)

While Beat Saber is hands down the most popular rhythm game in VR, I think I prefer Synth Riders for workout potential. It just feels like you have to move – and certainly squat – more. This one will get you very sweaty! Usually costs £18.99, but available today for £13.29 (30% off) VRFI gives it a score of 8.5/10

SynthRiders VR Game Review | Give it All You’ve Got!

OhShape – £10.99 (-26%)

Do you remember a 2008 BBC gameshow presented by Dale Winton and, latterly, by Strictly’s Anton du Beke called ‘Hole in the Wall’ in which contestants had to match the shape of a cutout on a huge polystyrene wall travelling towards them whilst they stood front of a swimming pool? No? Well, this is that, but in VR. It’s also a lot of fun, unlike the TV show after you’d watched it for 10 minutes. It costs £10.99 reduced from £14.99 (-26%) It gets 8 out of 10 from VRFI https://www.vrfitnessinsider.com/review/ohshape-vr-game-review/

The Climb – £14.99 (-34%)

The Climb is a very different experience from any of the apps listed above, and may not be to your liking if you have a fear of heights. It’s a free climbing simulation which takes you to some incredibly scenic locations. Although it doesn’t appear physically challenging at the start, you’ll soon feel the considerable effort in your arms and, in particular, your shoulders. The multiplayer mode allows you to compete against other climbers and there are some genuinely tricky sections you’ll have to work your way through.

The game gets a game score of 9, but a fit score of 7.5 on VRFI. Usually priced at £22.99, the app is available today for £14.99 (a saving of 34%).

These are my top picks, but the following are also available and deserve a mention. I have only played one or two of these, so can’t really comment on their exercise efficacy.