No matter what VR headset you own, there are an incredible array of virtual reality fitness games available. However, the HTC Vive’s diverse catalog makes it a great option for any fitness enthusiast. From games meant specifically for fitness to fun titles that wind up being a great workout as well, there’s no shortage of options for it. In fact, there might be too many titles as it can be difficult to know where to start. To make this as easy as possible, we here at VR Fitness Insider have come up with a list of the best HTC Vive fitness games 2020. These great games are the perfect starting point and all provide a great workout for players.
If you own a different headset, check out our lists of the top 25 VR fitness games, and our headset specific lists for Oculus Rift, Valve Index, PlayStation VR, Oculus Go, and Oculus Quest.
Top 15 HTC Vive Workout Games
Audica
Boston-based developer Harmonix has become one of the foremost experts in the rhythm game genre and its VR title is one of the most unique rhythm titles ever made. Audica blends pulse-pounding music with first-person shooting and creates an atmospheric experience that won’t be forgotten. Action can get hectic as players alternate between using blue and orange guns to shoot targets of matching color. All of this is done to the rhythm of the game’s 33-song soundtrack, which is filled with some great tunes (and even more as downloadable content). There’s an excellent learning curve and there are challenges even after you master it thanks to the expert difficulty. Adding even more nuance to one of the best HTC Vive fitness games, players can use the game’s custom beat map modding support so that the fun never has to end.
Audica has been given a fitness rating comparable to walking by the VR Institute of Health and Exercise. It is currently available on Steam for $29.99.
Audio Trip
The best dancing VR game available is Audio Trip. It provides a fantastic leg workout as players will regularly be moving in order to get out of the way of barriers. Our tip to getting an even better workout is to take initiative and start doing squats rather than ducking underneath them. Beyond legs, you’ll also be feeling the burn in your arms as you bang on drums. This is a fantastic total body workout in general.
Audio Trip has been given a fitness rating comparable to tennis by the VR Institute of Health and Exercise. It is currently available on Steam for $19.99.
Bardo
Bardo is one of the best archery titles available and the premier choice for a virtual reality workout. The wave-based shooter gives players a great arm workout as it has them shooting enemies in rapid succession. Later levels can get quite tricky as players need to duck in order to avoid enemy attacks. However, the title is beginner-friendly early on and isn’t just for VR experts. The game is currently in Steam Early Access, but can still be recommended in its current state.
Bardo has been given a fitness rating comparable to walking by the VR Institute of Health and Exercise. It is currently available on Steam for $9.99.
Beat Saber
Beat Saber tops a lot of lists of the best HTC Vive fitness games and that reputation is certainly deserved. Beat Games’ VR rhythm game broke into pop culture due to how cool it looks and due to it being a blast to play. Players get to wield two katana beams in order to slice beats in specific directions and dodge oncoming walls. The game has been supported well ever since it originally released with DLC featuring popular bands such as Panic! at the Disco, Imagine Dragons, and Green Day. It’s more than just an arm workout and it’s a must-own VR title whether you’re working out or not.
Beat Saber has been given a fitness rating comparable to tennis by the VR Institute of Health and Exercise. Beat Saber was awarded our VR Fitness Game of the Year in 2018 and won our Best Arm Workout VR Fitness Game of the Year in 2019. It is currently available on Steam for $29.99.
Bitslap
One of the cheapest titles on our list also provides one of the best arm workouts. Bitslap doesn’t have a bunch of flash, but it makes up for it by offering up one of the most intense experiences in VR. The game is simple in nature as players punch cubes in the order that they appear. However, it becomes a rapid fire test of reflexes as they start arriving nearly instantaneously. With each round only taking a few minutes to complete and the game having built-in rest periods, this becomes one of the best endurance tests.
Bitslap has been given a fitness rating comparable to an elliptical by the VR Institute of Health and Exercise. It is currently available on Steam for $6.99.
BoxVR
If you’re taking virtual reality fitness seriously then you need to own BoxVR. The rhythm boxing game winds up providing more than just a great arm workout with its extensive list of exercises that have been mapped out by fitness experts. It has also received outstanding support by its developer as the fitness title has received a ton of new music and workouts since it has been released at no extra cost. It’s one of the best workout titles and should be a part of any VR owner’s regimen.
BoxVR has been given a fitness rating comparable to tennis by the VR Institute of Health and Exercise. It won VR Fitness Insider’s Best VR Cardio Fitness Game of the Year in 2018 and our Best VR Fitness Game of the Year in 2019. It is currently available on Steam for $29.99.
Creed: Rise to Glory
Based upon the “Rocky” sequel series starring Michael B. Jordan, Creed: Rise to Glory provides one of the most intense workouts in all of virtual reality. It does this by bringing all of the thrills of the blockbuster film franchise to VR by letting players experience some wild boxing encounters. Players will get to step into the role of Adonis Creed and will get to learn plenty of boxing techniques will doing so. It winds up giving players an intense upper body workout that will help burn calories and keep weight off.
Creed: Rise to Glory has been given a fitness rating comparable to tennis by the VR Institute of Health and Exercise. It won our Best VR Boxing Fitness Game of the Year in 2018 and is currently available on Steam for $29.99.
Hot Squat 1 & 2
Most of the best HTC Vive fitness games target players’ arms, so it’s great that Hot Squat provides an incredible leg workout. This free title has players performing squats repeatedly in order to get past barriers. It’s on the simple side but provides some great results for those that play it. If you dig the free version, there is a paid sequel called Hot Squat 2: New Glory. Not only does it have enhanced graphics and a variety of exercises, the Steam profits also go to charity, so it’s worth checking out.
Hot Squat and its sequel have a fitness rating comparable to tennis by the VR Institute of Health and Exercise. The original is currently available for free, while its sequel costs $6.99.
Pistol Whip
Pistol Whip, which just released late last year, quickly became a must-have VR fitness game. This rhythm shooter is the closest that players will ever get to feeling like John Wick as it tasks gamers with shooting at enemies to the beat of songs. That’s not all as players will also have to dodge out of the way of bullets. It all comes together to create an intense experience and the stylized shooter is just a blast to play.
Pistol Whip has been given a fitness rating comparable to tennis by the VR Institute of Health and Exercise. It’s currently available on Steam for $24.99 and won our Best New VR Fitness Game of the Year and Best Action VR Fitness Game of the Year in 2019.
PowerBeats VR
Another great VR rhythm game, PowerBeats VR focuses on players using their hands to take care of incoming objects by punching them. That’s not all as you’ll also have to squat to avoid barriers. The active workout winds up targeting all parts of your body, and the game has clearly been built to appeal to fitness enthusiasts as it includes a level editor and calorie tracker. That means you won’t need a third-party app installed or a watch to keep track of your workouts.
PowerBeats VR has been given a fitness rating comparable to tennis by the VR Institute of Health and Exercise. It is currently available on Steam for $19.99.
Racket Fury: Table Tennis VR
While not the most intense of workouts, Racket Fury: Table Tennis VR is still an active title that will have you burning calories. As a stellar simulation of table tennis, it winds up being a great way to test your reaction speed. There are 16 robotic opponents to face off against, and each of them come with their own playing style so it’s more than just the balls arriving faster than before. The realistic physics really help this standout from other ping pong games that are available.
Racket Fury: Table Tennis VR has been given a fitness rating comparable to an elliptical by the VR Institute of Health and Exercise, and costs $19.99. It is currently available on Steam for $19.99.
Racket Nx
Racket Nx is the sport you didn’t know you needed and is only possible through virtual reality. It winds up being a neat mix of the Atari classic Breakout and racquetball as players have to destroy a series of targets with the ball, which can be pulled back via a tractor beam. Whether you are playing solo or competing against another person in multiplayer, this winds up being an enjoyable way to burn some calories.
Racket Nx has a fitness rating comparable to an elliptical by the VR Institute of Health and Exercise. It won our Best VR Sports SIM Fitness Game of the Year in 2018 and is currently available on Steam for $19.99.
Sprint Vector
A great arm workout, Sprint Vector has players constantly moving their arms so they can up the speed of their running character. This is done while taking part in a wild in-game obstacle course, which vary in difficulty. The more complex ones will take plenty of time to master and it’s fun trying to better your times while going up against other players. It’s one of the best multiplayer fitness VR games and is highly replayable as a result.
Sprint Vector has been given a fitness rating comparable to an elliptical by the VR Institute of Health and Exercise. It won our Best VR Arm Workout Game of the Year in 2017 and is currently available on Steam for $29.99.
Superhot VR
Many don’t traditionally think of Superhot VR as a fitness game, but it winds up providing an excellent low impact workout due to how much of your body you wind up using. The shooter is built off the idea that time only moves when the player does, which leads to some incredible shooting sections and areas where the player will move all over their play space in order to dodge bullets. The innovative first-person shooter is more of a puzzle game than a test of reflexes, but that’s exactly why it makes our list of the best HTC Vive fitness games. It’s perfect for warming up or cooling down.
Superhot VR has a fitness rating comparable to walking by the VR Institute of Health and Exercise. It won our Best VR Shooting Fitness Game of the Year in 2017 and is currently available on Steam for $24.99.
The Thrill of the Fight
Despite being one of the earliest VR boxing titles, The Thrill of the Fight is still easy to recommend as one of the best HTC Vive fitness games. The reason is because there is no boxing title that provides as realistic a simulation. Rather than give into arcade-like fun, this title will force players to learn proper boxing techniques such as how to jab and hit a speed bag if they want to be successful. It’s an easy recommendation for anyone with an interest in the sport and it will offer a glimpse of the dedication that top fighters possess.
The Thrill of the Fight has been given a fitness rating comparable to rowing by the VR Institute of Health and Exercise. It won our Best VR Sport SIM Fitness Game of the Year in 2017 and our Best Boxing VR Fitness Game of the Year in 2019. It’s currently available on Steam for $9.99.
That does it for VR Fitness Insider’s list of the top 15 HTC Vive fitness games. With these great titles, you’ll begin to better yourself and stay in great shape in no time.
