Quest 2 Dumbbell Accessories: Is VR a Biceps Booster?
Quest 2 accessory manufacturer Kiwidesign wants to profit from the VR fitness trend - and has a clever idea for turning the VR controller into a mini-dumbbell. Or is it not so clever after all?
VR motion games have been on the rise ever since the mega-hit Beat Saber. Numerous studios have specialized in fitness apps that either virtually challenge your sporting spirit or directly simulate entire sports like boxing, squash or golf. Since VR is experienced with the whole body, it can get sweaty.
An overview of the best Meta Quest 2 fitness games can be found behind the link. With the VR dumbbell accessory from Kiwidesign, you can increase the fitness factor of these apps and many games a bit more - or you can promote immersion, which might make more sense (see below).
Boost your biceps
Okay, you won't become Arnold Schwarzenegger with the mini-weights from Kiwidesign: You can add up to 150 grams of extra weight to the Quest controller with the accessories.
However, the additional weight integrated into the tracking rings should be noticeable during enduring fitness VR exercises and tire your arm muscles faster - if you make sure to move your arms as fast as with the normal weight despite the higher weight.
The small weight discs are attached to the tracking ring of the Quest 2 controller using the supplied holder. | Image: KIWI Design
The weight rings come in different thicknesses and depending on how you attach the extra weight to the controller, you can add 5 grams, 50 grams, 100 grams or the aforementioned 150 grams.
Or boost immersion instead
Those who like to play VR games with objects - such as bats or guns - that are heavier than the controller itself could also use the weight rings as immersion boosters. The weight of the controller would thus tend to reflect the weight of the virtual object, which contributes to the believability of the VR world.
In fact, this is the more sensible use case scenario, as the benefits (or harms) of adding weight to the body for greater fitness efficiency tend to be criticized by sports scientists. With a real dumbbell, available for about the same money, and a time commitment of ten minutes a day, you're more likely to get better and healthier results. And you can still do VR cardio with Beat Saber and co. for even more health benefits.
Read more about VR Fitness:
- Meta Quest (2): Liteboxer is like Peloton for VR Fitness
- Virtual Reality Fitness: How fit am I after 4 weeks of FitXR?
- Meta Quest 2: Fitness chain introduces VR training
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