Ring Fit Adventure
Best Workout Video Games
Ring Fit Adventure is a brand-new IP from Nintendo that brings working out into the living room and makes it highly entertaining. This lite-RPG has you jogging through dozens of stages and defeating enemies and bosses by using different workout techniques.
By using a leg strap and a stretchy Ring-Con controller, you can perform a bunch of workout exercises that keeps you fit and causes major damage to your opponents.
It might be hard to purchase Ring Fit Adventure right now since the title has been seeing shortages as of late, but if you do get your hands on it, it’ll keep you fit and healthy without having to pay for a gym membership.
Beat Saber
Best Workout Video Games
VR games tend to be some of the best options when it comes to video games that make you break a sweat, and Beat Saber is one of the best workout video games you can play.
It’s a pretty simple idea. You stand facing a tunnel and colored blocks are sent towards you, with you having to slice them in the direction of the arrow on them with the movement tracking controllers you’re using, all of it being done to pumping music.
The more blocks you break, the more points you get, but movement is also taken into account. The longer your swings are, the more points you get. Therefore, the more you move the better you do. On higher difficulties, though, hitting all the blocks while swinging your arms violently is really hard work.
Add on top of that the need to be agile in moving left and right, or even ducking really low, to get out of the way of walls and you’ll be out of breath in no time.
Just a couple of tracks in Beat Saber is the perfect workout. Thankfully, it’s a great VR game too.
Superhot VR
Best Workout Video Games
For a game that’s all about slow-motion action, it’s surprising how much of a workout Superhot gives you when playing in VR. Ducking, throwing, punching, and jumping from side to side are all things you’ll be doing in levels as you attempt to kill all the enemies that are creeping towards you.
A lot of the workout and sweating, however, comes from the tension of every level and the breathlessness of jumping back in again and again to beat the level.
You’ll be punching one guy, grabbing a knife out of another guy’s hands, and chucking it at the last one, with it feeling amazing when you pull it all off seamlessly. Do it wrong, though, and you’ll be rolling around on the floor in no time trying to avoid a bullet and not kick your TV.
The levels being just seconds long at times means you’ll be rushing to try again when you fail. It’s this repetition and feeling that you know what you’re doing and can do it quickly that really gets the pulse racing.
Fitness Boxing
Best Workout Video Games
For many people, boxing in the real world is their workout of choice, so it makes sense that it’d be one of the best choices for video game workouts too.
Fitness Boxing is no silly fighting game or Rocky movie spin-off, it’s actually a game that’s focused on giving you a workout. Of course, it’s not going to give you the well rounded work out you can get elsewhere away from gaming, but it’s perfect for a quick energy release while you’re on the go with your Switch.
If you’re looking for a challenge that sees you set high scores or battle with your friends, you’re probably better going elsewhere. If you’re looking for an easy to understand game that organises a quick workout for you, as long as you’ve got your Switch on you, it’s more than serviceable.
Just Dance 2020
Best Workout Video Games
The Just Dance games have been insanely popular for years and are still available on even older consoles. They’re also a lot of fun. Anyone who has played a dance game at an arcade before knows how much of a workout they can give you and Just Dance 2020 is no different.
You’re also not penalized particularly for not being much of a dancer. The moves are generally simple and it’s more about bopping along to your favorite songs than it is getting high scores.
However, if it makes you want to play with friends or workout while gaming together, the competition element can be a lot of fun. While the colors of the videos flash on screen, you’re also told how well you’re hitting the moves with simple words. Playing each song over and over to improve is fun, and you’ll be worn out afterwards.
Wii Fit Plus
Best Workout Video Games
It might be pretty old now and your Wii might be right at the back of a cupboard now that the Switch has taken over, but Wii Fit plus was all the rage back when it launched in 2009 and for good reason.
It also does more for a regimented workout than other games. You’re not just throwing your arms around with a headset on, sweating buckets. Wii Fit Plus tracks a whole host of stats and gives you work outs to choose from that focus on different things.
Also, since it was so popular, a Wii Fit balance board will be easy to find for cheap if you don’t somehow still have one lying around underneath a coffee table somewhere. It may be a little basic in some areas, and the Wii’s not the most modern of machines, but Wii Fit Plus is perfect if you’re looking for a more restrained or serious gaming workout.
Pokemon GO
Best Workout Video Games
Pokemon GO might not see you jumping up and down all that much, at least you don’t have to, but exercise is a vital part of it. Getting players together and going outside was always one of Niantic’s aims.
You need to travel to catch new Pokemon, make your way to new Poke Stops, and walk to hatch eggs. The more you walk around, the more you’ll get out of the game. Pokemon GO might not give you the most rigorous work out, but you need to walk up to 10km to hatch eggs and you’re never going to catch them all from the comfort of your couch.
Also, with the game updating all the time with themed events and new Pokemon to find, there’s always a reason to go outside and load up the game.
Sprint Vector
Best Workout Video Games
Most VR racing games see you sit in a car and drive around a track. Sprint Vector, though, is a foot race combined with the likes of Mario Kart.
Your character wears boost shoes that allow you to run at super speed, climb up huge walls, and drift around corners. To run quickly, all you need to do is swing your arms, the faster you move equaling the faster you run in-game. You can also pick up items that slow your opponents down or speed you up. There’s no blue shell though, thankfully.
Where the workout aspect comes in Sprint Vector is when you’re in a tight race. You’ll be throwing your arms around like mad trying to get to the finish line as quickly as you can.
Some people have complained about motion sickness issues with the game, but Sprint Vector is a lot of fun if you’re not too susceptible.
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