Exercise can be boring, so sometimes it's nice to spice up your workout with a fitness game. The best fitness games have you breaking a sweat and feeling the burn, but most importantly they're fun.
Fitness games allow you to marry your gaming hobby with something that's good for your health - which you may need to remind yourself when you're in a sweaty pile on the floor afterwards.
So here are the best fitness games – old and new – that will get your heart rate up, improve your flexibility, help with strength training and even get you dancing like no one is watching.
Ring Fit Adventure is marketed as a game first and exercise second, but it'll certainly put you through your paces.
The action-RPG game sees you squatting, crunching and downward-dogging your way to success, as you set out on a quest to defeat a hench, bodybuilding dragon called Dragaux. And that's just the story mode, there are also plenty of mini-games and individual workouts to focus on specific parts of your body.
In order to play Ring Fit Adventure, you need the Ring Fit device (like a pilates ring), but this handily comes packaged with the game.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Peripherals needed: Ring Fit
Fitness Boxing
If you don't want to shell out for Ring Fit Adventure then Nintendo Fitness Boxing could be a good alternative. The Switch game offers you workouts overseen by a virtual trainer, where you use your Joy-Con motion controllers to perform punches and dodging maneuvers, with the difficulty increasing gradually over time.
The game uses your weight and height to estimate your fitness age and calorie burn, setting the routine, length and intensity of these workouts based on this, however these can be adjusted if you're not happy. It's a great workout for those who want a fairly-straightforward boxing workout without all the bells and whistles.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Peripherals needed: None
Beat Saber
Beat Saber isn't marketed as a fitness game - but it sure should be. The VR rhythm game sees you ducking and dodging while swinging your arms to slice the blocks flying your way - all to some amazing tunes. It's one of the best VR games on the market for a reason.
The beauty of Beat Saber is that you don't really notice the physical exertion you're putting into it because it's so much fun - but you'll certainly feel it tomorrow.
Platforms: PS4 and PC
Peripherals needed: Supported VR headset required. Tracked Motion Controllers also required - these depend on platform you're playing on.
Zumba: Burn It Up
Yet another fitness game offering from Nintendo, Zumba: Burn It Up is the newest addition to the Zumba video game series. Burn It Up essentially offers you a private Zumba lesson in your home, with 30 high-energy classes to get your heart-pumping and some great tunes for you to shake your hips to.
It's an official Zumba product that features real-life instructors, so you know it's legit. Plus, you can get up to three friends to join you for the tortur- sorry, fun.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Peripherals needed: None
Wii Fit Plus
Now, we know what you're going to say: "Wii Fit is old". Well, actually, we've included some older fitness games on this list because you may want to drag your old consoles out of the closet, brush off the dust and get your fill of exercise - without having to pay out for the latest game and its peripherals.
Wii Fit Plus is the enhanced version of Wii Fit, offering Wii Fit's original games alongside a bunch of 'new' games that help you work on aerobics, strength, balance and yoga. You can play these games, create your own fitness regimes or take part in specialized routines - and what's more, there are some multiplayer activities that allow you to play (and workout) with friends.
Wii Fit Plus is a classic and, even if you don't already have one, you can pick up a Wii Fit Balance Board for pretty cheap nowadays.
Platforms: Wii
Peripherals needed: Wii Balance Board
Wii Sports
Ok so, Wii Sports isn't exactly on the same level as the likes of Zumba when it comes to getting you moving- but it's still a fitness game. Wii Sports offers five sports to play: baseball, bowling, tennis, golf and boxing. You use your Wii remote to mimic the actions you would do if you were actually taking part in the sport.
In addition, there are training and fitness modes available that monitor players' progress. Plus, you don't have to play alone! All the activities are available to play multiplayer so you can beat your pal at tennis without having to step on the court.
Platforms: Wii
Peripherals needed: None
Just Dance 2020
Prefer to get your exercise through the medium of dance? Then Just Dance 2020 is just the ticket. The most recent addition in long-running dance series includes tunes from artists such as Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X and Ariana Grande that will keep you grooving for hours on end - and building up one heck of a sweat.
You don't even need motion controls or a console camera necessarily, as downloading the Just Dance Controller app will allow you to track all your moves through your smartphone. Smart.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Wii (surprisingly), PS4, Xbox One and Stadia
Peripherals needed: PS Move and PlayStation Camera, Xbox Kinect, or Just Dance Controller app
Knockout League
Another VR fitness game that will put you through your paces, Knockout League is an arcade-style boxing game that sees you immersing yourself in the fight. The game uses 1:1 tracking of your head and hands, so you'll need to make sure you duck and dodge every punch that comes your way - while landing some of your own.
But it's not all that serious, some of your competitors are a tad.. out of the ordinary. So expect to go mano a mano with a moustached octopus, pirate and many more wacky fighters.
Platforms: PS4 and PC
Peripherals needed: Supported VR headset required. Tracked Motion Controllers also required – these depend on platform you're playing on.
BoxVR
BoxVR is a bit like Beat Saber meets Fitness Boxing. It's described as a "VR workout app" and offers rhythm-inspired boxing workouts that see you hitting marks while ducking and dodging obstacles.
BoxVR offers a range of workouts from short three-minute bursts up to 20 minute+ endurance workouts, which are sure to give you a heart-pumping cardio workout. Plus, workouts are regularly updated to stop things from getting stale.
Platforms: PS4 and PC
Peripherals needed: Supported VR headset required. Tracked Motion Controllers also required - these depend on platform you're playing on.
Another oldie, but Sports Champions 2 is essentially Sony's version of Wii Sports. The fitness game allows you to take part in six activities: skiing, tennis, boxing, golf, bowling, and archery. Again similarly to the Wii, you use PlayStation Move controller to mimic the actions of each sport.
Platforms: PS3
Peripherals needed: PlayStation Move and PlayStation Camera
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Fitness games allow you to marry your gaming hobby with something that's good for your health - which you may need to remind yourself when you're in a sweaty pile on the floor afterwards.
So here are the best fitness games – old and new – that will get your heart rate up, improve your flexibility, help with strength training and even get you dancing like no one is watching.
- The best PS4 prices, bundles and deals
- The cheapest Nintendo Switch bundle deals and prices
- The best Xbox One prices, bundles, sales and deals
Ring Fit Adventure is marketed as a game first and exercise second, but it'll certainly put you through your paces.
The action-RPG game sees you squatting, crunching and downward-dogging your way to success, as you set out on a quest to defeat a hench, bodybuilding dragon called Dragaux. And that's just the story mode, there are also plenty of mini-games and individual workouts to focus on specific parts of your body.
In order to play Ring Fit Adventure, you need the Ring Fit device (like a pilates ring), but this handily comes packaged with the game.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Peripherals needed: Ring Fit
Fitness Boxing
If you don't want to shell out for Ring Fit Adventure then Nintendo Fitness Boxing could be a good alternative. The Switch game offers you workouts overseen by a virtual trainer, where you use your Joy-Con motion controllers to perform punches and dodging maneuvers, with the difficulty increasing gradually over time.
The game uses your weight and height to estimate your fitness age and calorie burn, setting the routine, length and intensity of these workouts based on this, however these can be adjusted if you're not happy. It's a great workout for those who want a fairly-straightforward boxing workout without all the bells and whistles.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Peripherals needed: None
Beat Saber
Beat Saber isn't marketed as a fitness game - but it sure should be. The VR rhythm game sees you ducking and dodging while swinging your arms to slice the blocks flying your way - all to some amazing tunes. It's one of the best VR games on the market for a reason.
The beauty of Beat Saber is that you don't really notice the physical exertion you're putting into it because it's so much fun - but you'll certainly feel it tomorrow.
Platforms: PS4 and PC
Peripherals needed: Supported VR headset required. Tracked Motion Controllers also required - these depend on platform you're playing on.
Zumba: Burn It Up
Yet another fitness game offering from Nintendo, Zumba: Burn It Up is the newest addition to the Zumba video game series. Burn It Up essentially offers you a private Zumba lesson in your home, with 30 high-energy classes to get your heart-pumping and some great tunes for you to shake your hips to.
It's an official Zumba product that features real-life instructors, so you know it's legit. Plus, you can get up to three friends to join you for the tortur- sorry, fun.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Peripherals needed: None
Wii Fit Plus
Now, we know what you're going to say: "Wii Fit is old". Well, actually, we've included some older fitness games on this list because you may want to drag your old consoles out of the closet, brush off the dust and get your fill of exercise - without having to pay out for the latest game and its peripherals.
Wii Fit Plus is the enhanced version of Wii Fit, offering Wii Fit's original games alongside a bunch of 'new' games that help you work on aerobics, strength, balance and yoga. You can play these games, create your own fitness regimes or take part in specialized routines - and what's more, there are some multiplayer activities that allow you to play (and workout) with friends.
Wii Fit Plus is a classic and, even if you don't already have one, you can pick up a Wii Fit Balance Board for pretty cheap nowadays.
Platforms: Wii
Peripherals needed: Wii Balance Board
Wii Sports
Ok so, Wii Sports isn't exactly on the same level as the likes of Zumba when it comes to getting you moving- but it's still a fitness game. Wii Sports offers five sports to play: baseball, bowling, tennis, golf and boxing. You use your Wii remote to mimic the actions you would do if you were actually taking part in the sport.
In addition, there are training and fitness modes available that monitor players' progress. Plus, you don't have to play alone! All the activities are available to play multiplayer so you can beat your pal at tennis without having to step on the court.
Platforms: Wii
Peripherals needed: None
Just Dance 2020
Prefer to get your exercise through the medium of dance? Then Just Dance 2020 is just the ticket. The most recent addition in long-running dance series includes tunes from artists such as Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X and Ariana Grande that will keep you grooving for hours on end - and building up one heck of a sweat.
You don't even need motion controls or a console camera necessarily, as downloading the Just Dance Controller app will allow you to track all your moves through your smartphone. Smart.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Wii (surprisingly), PS4, Xbox One and Stadia
Peripherals needed: PS Move and PlayStation Camera, Xbox Kinect, or Just Dance Controller app
Knockout League
Another VR fitness game that will put you through your paces, Knockout League is an arcade-style boxing game that sees you immersing yourself in the fight. The game uses 1:1 tracking of your head and hands, so you'll need to make sure you duck and dodge every punch that comes your way - while landing some of your own.
But it's not all that serious, some of your competitors are a tad.. out of the ordinary. So expect to go mano a mano with a moustached octopus, pirate and many more wacky fighters.
Platforms: PS4 and PC
Peripherals needed: Supported VR headset required. Tracked Motion Controllers also required – these depend on platform you're playing on.
BoxVR
BoxVR is a bit like Beat Saber meets Fitness Boxing. It's described as a "VR workout app" and offers rhythm-inspired boxing workouts that see you hitting marks while ducking and dodging obstacles.
BoxVR offers a range of workouts from short three-minute bursts up to 20 minute+ endurance workouts, which are sure to give you a heart-pumping cardio workout. Plus, workouts are regularly updated to stop things from getting stale.
Platforms: PS4 and PC
Peripherals needed: Supported VR headset required. Tracked Motion Controllers also required - these depend on platform you're playing on.
- Pick up BoxVR from PlayStation Store or Steam
Another oldie, but Sports Champions 2 is essentially Sony's version of Wii Sports. The fitness game allows you to take part in six activities: skiing, tennis, boxing, golf, bowling, and archery. Again similarly to the Wii, you use PlayStation Move controller to mimic the actions of each sport.
Platforms: PS3
Peripherals needed: PlayStation Move and PlayStation Camera
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