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Fitness and gaming

See, video games are good for you...

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If you’re anything like us, you also probably got a Wii Fit for Christmas way back in 2007. But fitness and health games have come a long, long way since then. And they’re not just on consoles now either. You can fire one up on your VR headset or download an app straight to your smartphone. Making them a great way to have fun while you get fit.

So, instead of shelling out for a gym membership you’ll never use, here are a few of the best ways to workout with gaming…

Virtual reality workouts

With a VR headset like the Meta Quest 3 you can definitely reach the top of your health game. There are no excuses for not getting in a few minutes here and there either – most fitness titles let you dip in and out of them whenever you want.

You could fire your headset up for a quick workout on your lunch break or do a few bodyweight exercises while the kids are doing their homework. Plus, you won’t have to leave the house for a jog through the park when it’s tipping it down outside!

It’s also worth saying that AR and VR workouts make exercise more accessible. If you’ve got a mobility issue, or a disability that stops you from moving about easily, you can still hit your fitness goals. Customisable controls make it easy to tweak them to suit your needs, making the games easier to get involved in.

Best Meta Quest fitness games

And if you want one of the best VR exercise games for the Quest, download Supernatural. It’s packed full of lower and upper body exercises that make it feel like you’ve got your very own personal trainer in the room. You’ll be jogging, lunging, and punching your way through the game, and it really doesn’t go easy on you. But for a bit of extra motivation, it lets you put your own tunes on for that big final push. We’re going with the Rocky soundtrack…

Want to see what other titles the Quest has to offer? Here are the best Meta Quest 3 games you can play right now.

Switch fitness games

When it comes to mashing consoles and exercise together, Nintendo are definitely the gold medal winners. And there are plenty of fun Nintendo Switch fitness games out there with heart-pumping gameplay… Let’s walk you through a few of the best:

  • Ring Fit Adventure – This game combines adventuring with intense exercise routines. To take down the bodybuilding dragon, Dragaux - he’s an absolute monster by the way – you’ll need to get to grips with the Ring-Con and Leg Strap. They can track squatting, running, squeezing, pulling and more. And these actions, whether you’re sprinting on the spot or doing some strength training, will help you to solve puzzles and defeat enemies.

  • Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games – Each of the mini games here uses motion controls. So, if you’re playing tennis, you’ll swing your controller round just like a racket. Sounds pretty ace. While if you’re doing the 100m sprint, you’ll hold a Joy-Con in each hand and pump your arms to take that top spot on the podium.

  • Just Dance 2024 – Get on your dancing shoes! Bust a move and score points by nailing routines and moves to match the onscreen characters. And if you want to go up against a mate, you can go head-to-head in epic dance offs.

Pokémon Go and mobile fitness

If you haven’t heard of Pokémon Go by now, where have you been? By 2021, the augmented reality app had been downloaded over 1 billion times. Woah.

You take on the role of a Pokémon trainer, exploring the real world through your phone. You’ll capture creatures, battle other players at gyms and complete challenges. It’s great at getting you out and about, and the more you explore, the rarer the Pokémon you’ll find. So, level up your walk and go catch em’ all!

While Pokémon Go is definitely the most popular, there are a bunch of other mobile fitness games that’ll get you off the sofa. Here are a couple of our favourites:

  • Zombies, Run! – For all you Walking Dead fans, this game turns your run round the block into hair-raising missions. Collect supplies and complete objectives while you listen to a story that unfolds while you jog. And if a shambling horde of brain munchers are after you, you’ll have to pick up the pace to stay alive!

  • Run An Empire – This strategy title uses GPS tracking to turn any outdoor stroll or marathon into virtual battles for territory. You’ll take over and defend your lands just by roaming about the neighbourhood. By the end of the month, you should be running an epic digital kingdom.

The future of fitness gaming

Plenty of companies are already developing game changing bits of hardware and software for us to look forward to. In some cases, pretty literally. AR contact lenses anyone? Mojo Vision are working closely with big brands like Adidas to see how it could be used for some next-level augmented reality workouts. We’ll keep an eye on how this one turns out…

Industry experts reckon the fitness metaverse is going to be the next big thing though. You’ll pop on a headset and be swept off to a completely virtual gym or exercise class, with music and a proper, real-life instructor leading the session. They’ll even be able to comment on your technique in real-time while they put you through your paces!

FAQs

Can VR gaming really give you an effective workout?

Just like regular exercise, VR fitness can help you to get a sweat on. In most VR fitness games, you’ll be ducking, dodging, and leaping about your living room. And all of that will definitely get your heart rate up and burn some calories. But make sure you get outside too. If there’s one thing VR can’t replicate, it’s fresh air!

So, there’s some of the best exercise games, apps, and experiences out there. Still need more? Here are 5 games to get you fighting fit. Or if you want something that’s a bit more traditional, find your perfect fit with our huge range of gym and exercise equipment.

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