Can VR Help You Outperform Yourself?

A novel virtual reality training system, Race Yourselves, is showing potential for enhancing individual performance through immersive, self-referential feedback. Developed by researchers at the University of Bath, the tool allows users to train against recorded versions of their past efforts using a VR headset and stationary bike. Each session adds a new "ghost" avatar, enabling users to compare current performance against previous benchmarks in real time.

The system addresses a common challenge in training: discouragement caused by comparing oneself to others. Instead, it leverages well-established psychological frameworks such as self-determination and “feedforward” learning—showing users what they are capable of becoming.

In early trials, the approach led to nearly double the performance improvement of traditional methods like HIIT. While currently used in cycling, the concept may have broader applications in safety-critical training domains. Developers are actively exploring adaptations for other disciplines and welcome interest from industry partners looking to innovate.