A different way of doing my strength and flex work with a little cardio added in 😀.

[Realfoodieclub]

I haven’t been posting much on the forums recently, I check in a couple of times a week but I feel quite disconnected from outdoor running at the moment ☹️. I am still running but on my treadmill. I have a 30 min limit with my attention span on the treadmill then I start getting antsy and want to get off and do something else. So to get the best out of my running I am doing 30 min Hiit sessions a couple of times a week. I also do two strength sessions a week with some weights, planks squats and stretches. We are also doing a couple of long walk between 7-14km in the sunshine.

Apart from that I have changed my exercise focus. A month ago my gym membership was up for renewal and I made the decision to cancel it and buy a VR headset.

VR headset..... what is that to do with exercise, I hear you say 😀.

Well please let me explain.

I have a Oculus quest which is a stand alone VR headset (no computer needed) and these are my exercise games that I am using for my fitness.

FitXR - boxing game with squats and lunges similar to a box fit class, high intensity.

youtu.be/HEOKxPiGiBg(Not working as expected?)

Racket NX combination of tennis, racket ball and pinball. In a 360° dome.

youtu.be/dKcMVUN4Ric(Not working as expected?)

Beat Sabre using a virtual light sabre to cut through cubes at different angles to music, actually more energetic that it sounds, the harder you cut through the cubes the bigger the point score.

youtu.be/kilWnla1bwk(Not working as expected?)

Guided Thi Chi. Gentle and calming guided and a choice of many different locations. I use this as my warm up.

youtu.be/xT06x-LZJMQ(Not working as expected?)

I have had to build up slow and steady like any exercise but I do around 30 min Vr exercise every day now and according to my garmin that comes in at around 180 Kcal and gets my heart rate in to a really good session.

I never would of thought that a VR game could be so much fun and energetic and keep me motivated and fit. I look forward to my VR time and I am really enjoying it.

Whatever you are doing to keep fit have fun with it.

Stay safe

Rfc x

[Bluebirdrunner]

I have missed you posting on the forums and was wondering what you were up to Rfc...now I know!

This looks tremendous fun and I imagine can be quite addictive.😊

Well done for your 30 min treadmill runs, I agree any longer is very boring. Good work on the weights and planks too!💪

I have been joining the Quests whilst recovering from my foot problems and still do the daily yoga, but have not been running for so long now I feel a bit out of the loop too.🙄

All change soon though as my physio has signed me off and I'm starting a mini C25k plan she has given me. I'm hoping it goes ok this time without any flare ups.

So nice to hear an update from you, and enjoy your vr exercise!

🌻xxx

[Realfoodieclub in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

So good to hear your physio is working with you to get you out there again. That is great news. My running outside is a bit of a strange one for me, I miss it so much but a 24 hour heart monitor test showed up some blips while running nothing to be concerned about as such but it only happens over a certain HR and I don’t go over that on the treadmill, that teamed up with wearing a mask Every time I leave the house For MrRfc. I have found a quiet time round me that I can run without seeing too many people and I toy with the idea of one outdoor run a week just to scratch that itch but there is a little voice on my shoulder going really! Is it worth it when you are doing ok. First week outdoors After shielding we got a summer virus , not Covid, so made us very wary. But as you know the runner in me will probably never be far away and with the best will in the world I am an outdoor runner. Hehe my quest will be how to fit all the new stuff in when I start outdoor running again 😂😂😂, take care and I hope getting out there goes really smoothly. . Rfc xxx

[Bluebirdrunner in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Thank you...you too and Mr Rfc. Sorry to hear about the heart rate blips and that summer bug must have given you both a scare!

I need to keep going with my strength conditioning exercises 3 times week, and now I'm no longer accountable to my physio I had better add that in to my Quest goals... thank you for the reminder!

I know you will get back to outdoor running when the time is right.😘xx

[roseabi]

Wow!!

I have just been wondering where you were, and here I find you immersed in virtual martial arts - you are completely awesome!!! xx

[Realfoodieclub in reply to roseabi]

I decided to have some playtime, little did I know it would turn into exercise time as well, it is soooooo much fun, I’m loving it 😀.

[skysue16]

That is amazing! Wow! I thought the racket ball one looked great fun, would certainly bring out the competitive spirit in me. The Tai chi looked good too, I used to do that years ago 😊. Glad to hear you are having fun and doing well with your strength work 👍

[Realfoodieclub in reply to skysue16]

Thanks, it definitely gives me a buzz and the first week I was so sore, so I know I’m working out muscles too. My favourite tai chi one is poolside in Santorini looking over the caldera 😀. I’ve been there and it was one of my most peaceful holidays so it feels nice to go back 😀.

[CBDB Administrator Graduate Gold]

Awesome 😎 👏🏾 so many thanks for posting. Never considered VR for exercise but we did have a wii sports ⚾️ game when the wii came out (back 15 years?) and it was good fun for the whole family and got us off the couch !

Fabulous and well done for finding such fun ways to keep up the running and exercising!

[Realfoodieclub in reply to CBDB]

Thank you. As a family we have been shielding and it has changed how I exercise. Outdoor running, swimming and gym all had to be exchanged for indoor stuff. It has been an eye opener for me, I thought VR was just for shoot up games I had no idea things have changed so much, they even do ones for Stationary exercise bikes so it feels like you are cycling All over the world, I might get the foot pods and try that next 😀. There is so much to explore. I have had friends in the past who swear by WiFit And have really built up a sweat with it.

[sunny369]

thanks for posting, glad to hear how you are adapting and doing ok in the circumstances my running has never really recovered in the face of my broken foot and the lock down and everything and now a shoulder problem has messed with the routine which had replaced the running! feel quite unfit all things considered but will work my way back I guess

Fascinating about the VR - would never have thought of it but it looks interesting, I wonder if it could tempt my game playing sofa loving DH to exercise? He does love gaming .....

[Realfoodieclub in reply to sunny369]

I’m sorry your having a tough time, sounds like a lot in one go to cope with. I’m sure you will find your way back, they are challenging times, look after yourself. . I have heard good reports of total couch dwellers getting Involved in VR, it is a lot of fun, you never know! 😀. Rfc x.

[sunny369 in reply to Realfoodieclub]

thought I might give him one for Christmas lol

might even give it a go myself....

[Realfoodieclub in reply to sunny369]

I have been blown away by it, it is so immersive. Aside from the exercise I have a Sherlock Holmes type game which is a puzzle game, an interactive 3d animated colouring book and I Also love visiting different countries and places with the 360° 3d videos on you tube. I am learning so much. I joined the over 40 Quest Facebook page and they have people on There that are going to virtual classes to learn Languages as it has a microphone in it, I haven’t tried the social side yet as I’m quite shy 😀. I use it to give me a break from my course work (I’m learning to make 3d stuff). It is a real eye opener😀. Rfc x

[sunny369 in reply to Realfoodieclub]

wow, that sounds amazing I am thinking if I get him it for Christmas we can both enjoy it

[linda9389]

Very creative! Having been coerced to try my son's VR headset a couple of times I can imagine it would be amazing. You sound busier than ever RFC!!! Good to hear you have both kept well, apart from the summer bug

[Realfoodieclub in reply to linda9389]

Thank you. It really has surprised me. I have had to wiggle all my exercise around a bit to fit it in, at the moment It is really hard work but I am hoping as I get used it I can play for longer. You would of thought being at home and not out running long distances it would be easy but No......😂😂😂.