More than Fitness: User Perceptions and Hopes for Getting Fit in Virtual Reality

Fitness activities are linked to health, cognitive acuity, and the brain's ability to respond to a stimulus. This article reports on a mixed methods investigation of user experiences of a commercial off the shelf virtual reality fitness experience. A total of 74 visitors to a southern science museum, spanning from under 18 years of age to 64 years of age participated in a VR fitness experience and completed a questionnaire and a semi-structured interview. Participants reported experiencing social presence with pre-recorded fitness instructors, positive usability, and a majority predicted that using the tool could improve cognitive acuity. This pilot indicates a cross generational interest in VR fitness tools.