2023
Virtual Gym with Juicy Effects: A Study in Engaging Serious Silver Games
Cervantes, V.F.; Stroulia, E.; Thawonmas, R.; Xiao, Y.; Abdullah, F.
Replaying Japan (Workshop)Part of Seniors Place · University of Alberta
Transforming Healthy Aging Through Virtual Reality
Evidence-informed virtual reality experiences that help older adults stay active, improve mobility, strength and balance, and age with confidence.
- 6
- VR experiences
- 5
- Programs
- 10+
- Years of research
What is Virtual Gym
A virtual reality platform for healthy aging
Virtual Gym is a platform for serious exergames in Virtual Reality. Its purpose is to give older adults a fun experience while encouraging them to improve their strength, flexibility, and balance — in the safety and convenience of their home.
VR-based
Immersive exergames that make movement feel like play.
Evidence-informed
Designed from a decade of University of Alberta research.
Accessible
Built for safe use at home or in a care setting.
Safe
Gentle, guided activity tailored to each participant.
Part of the Seniors Place ecosystem, Virtual Gym brings research-backed, engaging movement to older adults, caregivers, clinicians, and organizations.
- Strength
- Flexibility
- Balance
Programs
Programs designed around real needs
Each program pairs the right VR activities to a population and goal. Two are available today; more are on the way.
Available now
Frailty Prevention & Management
Pre-frail and frail older adults
A guided program designed to help pre-frail and frail older adults build strength, maintain balance, and protect their independence through engaging VR activity.
- Strength building
- Fall risk reduction
- Independence
Available now
Mobility & Gait Training
Adults with mobility impairments
Designed for adults with mobility impairments, this program supports walking confidence, balance, and coordinated movement through structured VR exercises.
- Balance
- Walking confidence
- Coordination
Coming soon
Healthy Aging & Wellness
General older adult population
A wellness program for active older adults focused on staying mobile, engaged, and energized — bringing enjoyable movement into everyday routines.
- Mobility
- Engagement
- Everyday wellness
Coming soon
Parkinson's Disease Rehabilitation
Adults with Parkinson's disease
An evidence-informed program in development for adults living with Parkinson's disease, designed to support movement, coordination, and quality of life.
- Movement
- Coordination
- Quality of life
Coming soon
Upper Extremity Rehabilitation
Adults with upper limb deficits
A program in development for adults with upper limb deficits, supporting arm strength, range of motion, and coordination through targeted VR activities.
- Arm strength
- Range of motion
- Coordination
Available programs run on the Healthy Aging Apps platform. Coming-soon programs are in active development with our research team.
The Games
Six VR experiences that feel like play
The hands-on activities inside every program — each targeting movement, coordination, and engagement in a different way.
Posture & multi-directional stretchingBubbles
Players use both hands to reach bubble pairs through stretches in multiple directions, emphasizing correct posture.
- Reach range
- Two-hand coordination
- Posture
Coordination & dual-task controlBalloons
The left hand pops balloons while the right hand pushes them — requiring simultaneous two-hand contact and focus.
- Dual-task control
- Reaction
- Engagement
Full-body stretching & rhythmClimbing
Users stretch while climbing a mountain, using controllers to grasp rocks at the proper rhythm with coordinated hands.
- Coordinated reaching
- Timing
- Sustained movement
Upper-limb extensionFlying Rings
An upper-limb extension exercise where users follow and fly around rings while holding their arms in the air.
- Arm elevation
- Endurance
- Range of motion
Coordinated reaching & aimingArchery
Players perform coordinated movements holding a bow and arrow, with targets appearing at varying distances and elevations.
- Precision
- Posture
- Varied reach
Movement + cognitive challengeSlice Saber
Users wield two colored sabers to cut colored blocks in specified directions, with a cognitive color-switching challenge.
- Coordination
- Reaction
- Cognitive engagement
How It Works
Get moving in four simple steps
From choosing a program to seeing your progress — Virtual Gym keeps it simple.
- Step 1
Choose a Program
Pick a program designed around your goals and needs.
- Step 2
Put on the VR Headset
Step into a safe, immersive environment — at home or on-site.
- Step 3
Play & Move
Engage in fun games that feel like play, not exercise.
- Step 4
Track Progress
Performance from each session is captured to show improvement.
Benefits
Why Virtual Gym works
Engaging movement that supports the whole person — body and mind — and keeps people coming back.
Improved Mobility
Enhanced movement, flexibility, and range of motion.
Rehabilitation Support
Evidence-informed activities that support recovery goals.
Cognitive Engagement
Mental stimulation woven into every movement.
Healthy Aging
Stay active and maintain independence for longer.
Fall Prevention
Better balance and coordination to reduce fall risk.
Increased Participation
Fun experiences drive consistent, lasting engagement.
Who Uses Virtual Gym
Built for everyone in the circle of care
From the people moving to the people supporting them — Virtual Gym speaks to each.
Stay Active, Stay Independent
Safe, home-based exercise that feels like play — building strength, balance, and confidence at your own pace.
- Fun and engaging
- Safe and accessible
- Build confidence
Research & Evidence
Grounded in a decade of research
Virtual Gym grew out of research at the University of Alberta's Department of Computing Science. Its design is evidence-informed and continually studied.
Built on University of Alberta research
Developed by researchers in the Department of Computing Science, in collaboration with older adults — and continually validated through peer-reviewed work.
Meet the team- 10+
- Years of research
- 7
- Peer-reviewed papers
- UAlberta
- Computing Science
Selected publications
7 papers · 2015–20232021
PhyDSLK: a Model-Driven Framework for Generating Exergames
Baldassarre, M.T.; Calvano, D.; Romano, S.; Cagnetta, F.; Cervantes, V.F.; Stroulia, E.
Multimedia Tools and Applications, Springer2019
Virtual-GymVR: A Virtual Reality Platform for Personalized Exergames
Cervantes, V.F.; Stroulia, E.
26th IEEE VR & 3D User Interfaces (Poster)2018
VirtualGym: A Kinect-based system for seniors exercising at home
Cervantes, V.F.; Neubauer, N.; Hunter, B.; Stroulia, E.; Liu, L.
Entertainment Computing, Elsevier2017
Effect of Kinect TAI CHI on Overall Health of Dementia Clients
Neubauer, N.; Cervantes, V.F.; Liu, L.; Stroulia, E.
Innovation in Aging, Oxford University Press2016
A Grammar-Based Framework for Rehabilitation Exergames
Fernandez-Cervantes, V.; Stroulia, E.; Hunter, B.
International Conference on Entertainment Computing2015
Serious games: Rehabilitation fuzzy grammar for exercise and therapy compliance
Cervantes, V.F.; Stroulia, E.; Oliva, L.; Gonzalez, F.; Castillo, C.
Games Entertainment Media Conference, IEEEThe Platform
More than games — a platform for progress
Behind the experiences, Virtual Gym captures performance so participants, caregivers, and clinicians can see improvement over time.
Progress Tracking
Every session is recorded to chart improvement over time.
Personalized Programs
Activities and difficulty tuned to each participant.
Performance Insights
Trends across mobility, accuracy, and engagement.
Clinical Support
Structured data to support care teams and reporting.
Already using Virtual Gym?
Session data and progress live on the Virtual Gym dashboard.
Ready to transform healthy aging?
Partner with Virtual Gym or learn more about bringing engaging, evidence-informed VR to the people you support.
Or reach our Principal Investigator directly at stroulia@ualberta.ca