KIWI design VR Dumbbell

Overview

No matter the athletic ability, we all think about personal fitness at some point.  We have a natural desire to be healthier but want a more engaging way to do it without hitting the gym.  It’s this exact reason why products like the ThighMaster, Shake Weight, and Power Balance Bracelet ever took the world by storm.  If you are old enough to know or have bought any of those products, you are not alone.  With an overwhelming transition to digital content paired with home equipment, companies are looking for fun ways to introduce fitness into products.  Cue the VR Dumbbells for Quest 2 from KIWI design.

Review

The VR Dumbbells are arguably one of the most unique accessories for the Quest 2 Touch Controllers.  Once you get past the “what the heck?” phase and go through the process of installing it, you come to appreciate the effort that went into the design.  The accessory is comprised of four (4) main parts: the mushroom like top, compartment insert bottom, weights/spacers, and screw on cap.  Once assembled, the initial controller profile still looks like it could have been a stock version direct from Oculus.  This type of thoughtfulness in engineering should always be appreciated as it is very hard to accomplish.  Additionally, KIWI includes a modified halo (technically mushroom now) silicone cover to help protect the controllers and storage bag for the components when not in use.  One bonus worth noting is this accessory still works with their Top Version Knuckle Grips installed.  It’s hard to consider removing those as they have quickly become my favorite grips.

So how does it work?  During the assembly phase, you choose the combination of weight discs and spacers you want to add to each controller.  Each controller needs a total of three (3) for the screw-on cap to securely keep them in position.  As for the weights, they weigh 50g (apprx. 0.11lb) per disc so you can add a total of 150g (apprx. 0.33lb) to each controller.  I know it doesn’t sound like a lot, but I guarantee that you will notice the difference when you hold it.  After using these on a variety of games like Beat Saber, Synth Riders, Pistol Whip, Creed 2, and various fitness games; the workout effects become apparent relatively quickly.  They undoubtedly increase the amount exercise you get during a session of gameplay and will increase fatigue from workouts.  This is also evident after you remove the accessory and play with the stock controller again.  We noticed our scores improved across the board in those games because our arms moved faster due to the weightlessness.  Think of these like resistance training rather than strengthening.

Although the VR Dumbbells achieve their intended purpose, they do so with some caveats.  For starters, most people have a clear mental image when they think “dumbbell”.  Equal weights on either side with a bar in the middle to grasp it.  This product is not that.  All the weight is directed to one side of the controller making it top heavy when held vertically.  When positioned horizontally, the imbalance is even more drastic.  This led to more than one tester having soreness in their wrist after playing for a couple hours.  The way your hand naturally compensates for the weight causes it to be held at an angle.  Next, games are not developed with accessories like this in mind.  Most fitness and workout-based games have a speed component built in to help increase your heart rate.  These make you slower and negatively affect your scores.  Not to mention that access to the analog joystick is somewhat restricted by the screw-on cap.  Lastly, you can no longer invert your controllers to rest on the halos.  The domed (mushroom) top prevents them from being stored that way and reduces stand storage options which require the halo passthrough to secure it.

Verdict

This is honestly a tough one because I really do want to like them.  The VR Dumbbells from KIWI do what they are designed to and the fact they even dreamed up this product should be applauded.  My issue is the practicality of them is just too hard to justify.  The controllers of the Quest 2 are meant to be an extension of your hands allowing you to immerse yourself in the experience, so the lighter they are the better.  If you truly enjoy exercising in VR through gameplay, these will enhance that experience and help push you physically.

Pros & Cons