Comparison of prices and features of the top three VR exercise machines

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Breaking down the costs of top-tier VR exercise equipment, doing virtual reality fitness the right way

In a sea of visions, with pioneers crafting top-tier gear, it’s hard to know where to start. In fact, when it comes to the dense world of exercise equipment, it can be hard to even think about it. You have to weigh up every single factor that applies to you, be it brand, specs, or features – the right kit exists for you. But what do you really need to look for, and how do you know if something’s right?

Beyond the obvious factors like size, form, and power needs, like a compact self-powered running machine, for example, you need to think about something else that might be big – price. And VR equipment, given its forward-thinking cutting-edge nature, isn’t going to be dropping in price any time soon.

Why is really so expensive? And is the more affordable equipment range worth it?

VR headsets, mobile VR headsets, PlayStation VR, and other VR systems – the VR industry is becoming more and more prolific. The hardware and technology are getting better, people are demanding more of it, and its integration into wider applications is making it more desirable.

The application we’re here to look at it is fitness.

VR fitness is incredible. ICAROS leads the way for VR fitness, both hardware, and software, and has released a range of machines for you to enhance your fitness lifestyle through and level up your exercise routines too. The best VR headsets may be debatable, but virtual reality and fitness benefits aren’t. Using VR to work out with is a unique way of working out, and where there’s uniqueness, there are unique benefits.

From targeting core strength, building holistic flexibility, and enhancing endurance potential, using ICAROS’ balance and body weight-based machines to fly through virtual worlds, explore underwater environments or endure training programs is the fitness of the future. And because you can do it all from the comfort of your own home, you’re expanding on an entire world while condensing the physical footprint of your exercise space. Genius.

So let’s have a look at some gear today and really price things up for you, giving you a fair review of the costs and benefits of ICAROS’ revered technology.

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In A Rush?

	The Daddy of VR Flying Simulation:	Best Flying VR Equipment For Under 3K:	Best VR Equipment For Around 1K:
Brand	ICAROS	ICAROS	ICAROS
Model	Pro Commercial	VR Training Home Package	VR Cloud Package
Photo
Recommended minimum age	14 years old	14 years old	14 years old
Max Weight	110 KG	110 KG	110 KG
Max user size	140 cm – 200 cm (4.6ft, 6.56ft)	140 cm – 200 cm (4.6ft, 6.56ft)	140 cm – 200 cm (4.6ft, 6.56ft)
Machine weight	120 kg	56 kg	12 kg
Ideal installation space	1.50 m x 2.50 m (4.9 ft x 8.2 ft)	1.50 m x 2.50 m (4.9 ft x 8.2 ft)	2.50 m x 2.50 m (8.2 ft x 8.2 ft)
*Price	£10,995	£2,895	£1,049
Check Prices	SHOP	SHOP	SHOP

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The Daddy of Virtual Reality Flying Simulation:

ICAROS Pro Commercial – Virtual Reality Fitness Equipment (£10,995)

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Overview

It’s called the daddy for a reason, the Pro commercial version is one of the best bits of fitness equipment I’ve used. Period. It has a brilliantly robust frame, a more than accommodating and comfortable sit position and moves fluidly in line with your own kinetic motion. Brilliant. It’s got all that I’d expect from the best release of an ICAROS machine, from the comfortable handlebars to intuitive engineering.

Mainly, I love the way your workout routine benefits here. It’s something you won’t have felt at any point in your life, the ability to target muscles, train core strength and increase cognitive proficiency is tantalising, and it’s opened up a whole new world of working out for me.

When used with exergames like CORE or more entertaining experiences like THE DOLOMITES, you’ll be harnessing the power of a machine that suspends you in the air, weights you differently and really unlocks a new way of interacting with your own body.

The ICAROS Pro works by you moving your body weight, that in turn tilts the ICAROS Pro forward and backward and the Gyroscopic central section rolls you from side to side, so you are controlling your in-game movements and giving yourself a workout in the process. This central slide has an adjustable resistance mechanism to make the workout even more challenging. Sensors then transmit your movement to the Virtual Reality world. Just look at it, does this not strike you as the most intuitive fitness machine to hit the market? If it doesn’t, then I’d love to hear your answer as to what is. In fact, leading universities have shown that the ICAROS plank burns 30% more calories and doubles the muscle activity when compared with the stable kneeling plank.

So why not bring science to the forefront of your fitness regime and front room, now.

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Best Flying VR Equipment For Under 3K:

ICAROS VR Training Home Package – Virtual Reality Fitness Equipment (£2,895)

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Overview

This package is considerably more affordable, but you may notice something – you get to use the same cutting-edge machinery, a brilliant VR headset included, and some of ICARS’ best VR exergames, preloaded. So the hardware is still there for those who want to focus less on the wider benefits of the Pro package.

In a similar vein to the Pro, the ICAROS Home works by moving your body weight to and fro, with a central pivot point to help stabilise and support rotation. The machine will tilt back and forward, roll side to side, and essentially extend your physical form into the realms of virtual space.

Pretty cool?

Only, with the home package, you get a Pico headset included. And the Pico headsets have been chosen for a reason. The Pico G2 4K focuses on high performance, sleek design and maximum comfort. It features a 4K LCD display with 3840 x 2160 screen resolution. It has a brighter, clearer picture quality than many of its competitors, resulting in a premium viewing experience.

ICAROS and Pico have joined forces and are working together. Therefore if there are technological advances in the VR hardware, the software should remain compatible.

You also get a smartphone/tablet holder for those who don’t like the VR setup. This level of consideration and user accommodation gives even more wider value to the Home package, and to think you just thought it was a straightforward VR machine for those who only love VR!

From virtual reality games to stand-alone headsets, ICAROS has made a versatile package here, and if you want the same power of the ICAROS apex gear then for a fraction of the price, then you’ve just read the right words to get it done.

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Best VR Equipment For Around 1K:

ICAROS VR Cloud Package – Virtual Reality Fitness Equipment (£1,049)

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Overview

One of the more unique entries in the ICAOR arsenal, the Cloud is an inflatable balance board that lets you hone core strength, train balance all round and increase your support muscle integrity too. This super lightweight, easy-to-move machine relies on your balance, even the slightest of movements are detected, transport you and connect you to your virtual world of choice.

The ICAROS Cloud is designed to provide a full-body workout. With its specially designed training surface and adjustable settings, it will work your core, build lower and upper body muscles and improve coordination and balance through unstable exercises. Yoga and pilates-inspired balance exercises, as well as HIIT sessions, add to its training effects. Additional rubber bands can be easily attached, allowing for a huge variety of intense resistance training cycles.

With games like Predator Prey taking precedence here, letting you imitate the actions of a cheetah to chase down a deer, you can balance flat out, stood up, bent down and combine all of them in motion. From virtual reality games to even using this machine without the VR enhancements, this balance board really gives you a dexterous tool to challenge different part of your body with. For example, because it comes with two rubber bands, you can use this machine to perform resistance squats, increase balance and even utilise more dynamic resistant movements from simply inflating the hardware and jumping on.

Naturally, without needing tethered VR or one other VR headset, you can use this machine with your tablet or phone. With a brilliantly placed tablet holder, you can really use this with convenience, and make your fitness upgrade even more convenient too. This machine is a testament to affordable and unique fitness solutions. don’t need to fork out on an htc vive or augmented reality toolset to have fun, but of course, if you’re wanting the full experience, then get everything.

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Conclusion

To conclude? There’s a reason we talk about ICAROS so much on this site, from the forward-thinking intuitive minds behind the company to the industry pivotal creations that stem as a result, VR fitness is realised, and in part through this list. You have access to family fun, therapeutic and health club assets and maybe just a bit of solo fun from the comforts of your own home. But remember, the aim of this game is fitness, and with so many entries to come, it’ll be interesting to see if ICAROS up their game even further.

In any case, it’s always good to be ahead of the times. Star-reaching companies and boundary-breaking businesses know this, but as a consumer, you can benefit too. Talking points aid in being one of the first to experience brand-new technology whilst giving you a brand-new understanding, too. And with that understanding giving you insight relative to the next releases, the future of an industry and just how good market fresh technology is you get a glimpse at the future before anyone else does.

With ICAROS releasing exergames on the fly, updating old ones based on feedback and constantly striving to give you better experiences, you can be sure that your products’ lifespan is just as preemptive. Giving you gear that lasts, and gear that essentially updates through enhanced software like the app, is giving your fitness lifestyle an upgrade, not a reboot. From a standalone VR headset, mobile VR headset and popular VR headset to a wireless VR device, premium VR experience and exergames to change your life there’s still, and always will be, so much option on the market. If you’re looking to combine certain aspects of the VR world, then you can – a Pico VR headset with one of these ICAROS machines, for example, is a brilliant combination that truly unlocks your VR fitness potential. Or maybe you don’t want VR, in which case all of these ICAROS tools permit a compatible device, like a smartphone or tablet, to be placed and used too.

Whether you want the best VR headset or VR software out there, you have the power to choose, and choose today.

The question is, why are you waiting?

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FAQ’S

Does a wireless headset have downfalls?

Wireless headsets perform as good as most on the market. Sometimes wireless headsets have a higher ping (slower device-to-device responsiveness), but wireless headsets are a great tool and exist for a reason.

Are VR workouts as good as any?

With classes by trainers, standalone headsets, machines to harness your whole body and fitness regimes to cater to, then absolutely. You can burn calories, target specific muscle groups and train for however long and however often you want.

What does, ‘external sensors’ mean?

In the case of ICAROS, external sensors are allowing your body motion to be tracked, recorded and transposed into the virtual world. Sensors act as a means of following user movement and therefore connecting you to any bit of hardware or software. You won’t get this with augmented reality, but you do here.

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