Is Beat Saber Good Exercise?

While many VR games let you move your body, Beat Saber takes it to a whole new level, transforming physical exertion into an exhilarating dance of light and rhythm. But is Beat Saber really a good exercise? Can swinging virtual sabers to the beat of the music really help you burn calories and build muscle?

Is Beat Saber Good Exercise?

Absolutely! Beat Saber is a dance party disguised as a workout. Your arms become lightsabers, slicing through neon blocks to the rhythm of pumping music. It’s cardio in disguise, boosting your heart rate and burning calories as you move to the beat. Plus, it’s super fun and engaging, making you forget you’re even exercising. So leave the gym and grab your VR headset – Beat Saber is ready to rock your world (and your workout routine)!

Benefits of Beat Saber as Exercise:

Beat Saber offers a wide range of benefits when it comes to physical fitness. As an experienced fitness trainer, I can confidently say that incorporating Beat Saber into your exercise routine can lead to noticeable improvements in cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and overall fitness.

1. Cardiovascular Health:

One of the key benefits of Beat Saber as exercise is its ability to elevate your heart rate and provide a cardiovascular workout. The fast-paced gameplay and continuous movement require your heart to work harder, effectively increasing your endurance over time. By consistently engaging in Beat Saber sessions, you can reduce the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and cholesterol-related issues.

2. Muscle Engagement:

Beat Saber engages multiple muscle groups throughout your body. The rapid swinging motions specifically target the muscles in your arms, shoulders, and core, providing an effective upper body workout. Additionally, the constant squatting movements required to dodge obstacles and reach lower targets engage the muscles in your legs, helping to improve lower body strength and definition.

3. Calorie Burning:

Engaging in Beat Saber sessions can also significantly contribute to calorie burning. During a Virtual Reality Institute of Health and Exercise test, participants were observed burning an impressive average of 655 to 745 calories per minute while playing Beat Saber. This level of energy expenditure is comparable to activities like tennis, where players can burn around 6 to 8 calories per minute.

4. Improved Coordination and Mental Agility:

Beat Saber is not just about physical exertion – it also challenges your hand-eye coordination and improves your reaction times. As you strive to hit the neon cubes flying towards you, your coordination and accuracy get better with each strike. This aspect of the game provides mental stimulation and helps to sharpen your reflexes.

6 Ways to Improve Your Beat Saber Skills:

To truly excel at Beat Saber, it’s important to focus on improving your skills. Here are a few key tips to help you up your game and become a true Beat Saber master:

1. Warm up before playing: Beat Saber can be an intense workout, so it’s essential to warm up your body to prevent injuries. Start with some shoulder rolls to loosen up your upper body. You can also do rowing exercises or chest presses to warm up your arms. Knee bends are great for loosening up your legs, and a bit of feet marching can stimulate your heartbeat.
2. Master the fundamentals: Beat Saber is designed to challenge you, and getting the hang of the game’s fundamentals will take time and practice. Focus on honing your reflexes, reacting quickly, and hitting the flying neon cubes with precision.
3. Improve hand-eye coordination: To hit the neon cubes as they come flying at you, you need good hand-eye coordination. This skill will improve as you get more accurate with your aim and strike objects and blocks.
4. Practice regularly: Like any other skill, practice is key to becoming a better Beat Saber player. Set aside dedicated time to play the game regularly and work on your technique. Consistency will help you develop muscle memory and improve your reaction time.
5. Challenge yourself: As you progress, don’t be afraid to tackle more difficult levels and songs. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone will help you improve and continue to grow as a Beat Saber player.
6. Focus on rhythm and timing: Beat Saber is all about moving to the beat. Pay attention to the rhythm and timing of the music and try to synchronize your movements accordingly. This will not only enhance your gameplay but also give you a better workout.

Continue to challenge yourself, stay consistent, and enjoy the benefits of this exhilarating virtual reality workout experience.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Does Beat Saber actually burn calories?

Yes, Beat Saber is a great cardio workout that can burn as many calories per minute as playing tennis.

Does Beat Saber count as cardio?

Yes, Beat Saber can improve your cardiovascular health, including your heart, lungs, and blood vessels.

Can Beat Saber build stamina?

Yes, stamina can be built up over time by focusing on the ‘down’ notes of your dominant hand during fast sections.

Can you get fit with VR?

Yes, engaging in VR workouts, including Beat Saber, can lead to improvements in cardiovascular fitness, body composition, balance, and muscle strength.