If you're looking for a new regime and prefer to have fun while you exercise, why not consider a video game for exercise? There are so many games to choose from and they all focus on different activities. You can box, run, or dance your way to fitness!
We chose Beat Saber by Beat Games as our favorite video game for exercise. It's the perfect balance of fun and exercise and is both challenging and easy to play. We've also put together a top 10 list for you to consider and created a handy buying guide to help you make your choice!
Quick List - Top Video Games For Exercise
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Table of Contents
Before buying a video game for exercise, there are a few points you should take into consideration. Take a look at our buying guide to help you make the best decision for you!
Video games for exercise come in many different forms. Many of these don’t need any special equipment other than the console to play it on and enough space to move. However, this isn’t true of all exercise games.
Some games put you in the middle of the action by utilizing the virtual reality capabilities of the console. To play these, you’ll need a VR system. Sometimes you can get this as a bundle package with the exercise game, but you may need to purchase it separately.
For other games, such as Ring Fit Adventure, you’ll need an additional peripheral that is designed especially for that game. In these instances, the peripheral and game usually come bundled together. Make sure you have the budget and space required to play the game.
Exercising with a video game should be fun, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be effective at the same time! A good video game for exercise should have a structured program that will adapt to your base level of fitness and help you get fitter.
Like any exercise program, you should be able to measure your progress through the game and increase the level as you get in better shape. Look for games that have the facility to record your progress and adapt as you improve.
The key to any kind of exercise program is consistency. Any video game for exercise that you buy should make you want to return to it frequently and make it part of your regular routine. This is why you should choose a game that has a format that appeals to you.
If you like music and dance, look at games based around dancing or Zumba. If you prefer your exercise to be more traditional, then there are plenty of games that are built around more typical forms of exercise such as aerobics, boxing, or walking.
Ultimately, you want to choose a game that doesn’t just help you to exercise but is also fun. Colorful graphics, interesting avatars, and a variety of activities will all keep you coming back for more.
Another way to keep you coming back to a video game is to play it with other people. Some games, such as those based around dancing, can support multiple players at once. Other games will allow you to add profiles for multiple people so although you’ll have to take your turn, you can share the game and compare scores if you wish.
If you’re feeling especially competitive and want to get some tension and stress out of your system, why not challenge someone to a friendly boxing match? You can land punches on your friend’s avatar without causing a single real-life bruise!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Beat Games Beat Saber | ![]() | Ignite Your Sabers to Destroy Boxes and Get Fit | |
2 | Nintendo Ring Fit Adventure | ![]() | Exercises and Minigames for All Ages | |
3 | Niantic, Inc. Pokémon Go | ![]() | Catch Pokémon While Going for a Walk | |
4 | Ubisoft Just Dance 2020 | ![]() | Easy-to-Follow Dance Routines Set to Popular Music | |
5 | Six to Start Zombies, Run! | ![]() | Immersive Audio Adventure to Accompany Running | |
6 | Location Games Run an Empire | ![]() | Build an Empire as You Exercise | |
7 | SUPERHOT Team SUPERHOT VR | ![]() | Immersive Fighting VR Game | |
8 | FitXR Box VR | ![]() | A Boxing-Based VR Game That Makes You Sweat | |
9 | Majesco Zumba Fitness World Party | ![]() | A Wide Variety of Zumba Routines for All Levels | |
10 | Nintendo Arms | ![]() | Colorful Gameplay for the Entire Family |
This is a rhythm game with a twist. Blocks come flying at you and you need to slash them in half with the sabers in your hand. You need to use the correct saber while also dodging any obstacles that come your way.
Reviews for this game are overwhelmingly positive. Many reviewers consider it to be the best VR game on the market and a must-have for anyone that owns a VR headset.
Reviewers also praise its effectiveness as an exercise game. They say that it is a great aerobic workout that is both challenging and fun. It has a good design, quality audio, and is highly replayable.
With a mix of exercise routines and minigames, there is a wide variety of activities to choose from in this game. The included Ring-Con and Leg Strap Monitor your movements as you play and you can customize your own routines.
Some reviewers struggled to keep the Leg Strap Monitor in place as they exercised. For others, this was more exercise than a game and they found that the activities quickly became boring.
On the other hand, reviewers praise the Ring-Con and Leg Strap Monitor and say that it effectively tracks movements to the point that it can make suggestions on how to improve. Reviewers of all ages enjoy the minigames and exercise they get with this.
This iconic smartphone AR game is the perfect companion for walks of any length. You can become a real-life Pokémon master by finding and capturing Pokémon as they appear in real-world locations.
Although many features have been added to the game since it was released, reviewers in remote areas still find that they have less to do than players in cities. Although free, there are many in-app purchases to help catch Pokémon more successfully.
Reviewers enjoy this game and that it encourages daily play and consistent exercise. They say that although it is a one-player game, it's also a good game to play socially due to raids needing multiple players and the ability to trade gifts.
If you want to dance your way to fitness, this may be the game for you. It includes 40 songs and routines that are suitable for the entire family. There are also songs designed specifically for children.
For dancers that purchase either the PS4 or Xbox One versions, you will need either a peripheral (Playstation Camera or Kinect) or a smartphone to track your movements.
Several reviewers criticize the game's subscription model. It comes with 40 modern songs, but access to the full library of 500+ songs from all eras requires an additional subscription.
But many reviewers enjoy this game and say it is very enjoyable. It is especially popular with families and children. They say that the dance routines are easy to follow and that the graphics are impressive.
This running game drops you into an immersive world where zombies exist and are chasing you. There is a library of audio adventures to listen to as you exercise. The app works just as well on a treadmill as it does when exercising outside.
The first few episodes are free and a new one unlocks each week. To access more, you will need to subscribe. To get full use of the app and the stories, you should keep a decent pace and some reviewers say that the tracking isn't always accurate.
Reviewers find this app to be a fun addition to their exercise. They report that the audio sounds great as it has quality voice-acting and sound effects. They also praise the storylines and characters and say that wanting to hear the next part of the story keeps them running.
Make a game of your daily commute or runs by capturing the world around you. As you travel, you can collect the real-world buildings and locations you pass and make them part of your empire.
Although the game is free to download, there are in-app purchases that will speed up the growth of your empire. Some reviewers report that although the app can connect with Strava, this is temperamental.
Reviewers love that this app can be used to make exercising in their own neighborhoods more interesting and helps them discover new things. They like that their empire can grow through the ages until it reaches the space age.
In this VR game, you find yourself outnumbered and outgunned by faceless enemies. To defend yourself you'll have to fight and this is where you'll work up a sweat. You'll need to punch, duck, and swerve if you're to survive.
Reviewers say that the main portion of the game is quite short, but once completed it does open up other modes that add replayability. The game has a steep difficulty curve though, as any hit from an enemy will result in restarting the level.
Reviewers praise this game for being very fun and immersive, several comparing it to the movie The Matrix. Many reviewers comment on how much of a workout playing the game is and recommend playing in a large area to get the most from the game.
Although this VR exercise game is based on boxing, you're not expected to fight anyone. Instead, the game has a series of fun workouts that are set to music. The game will also ask you to duck and dive around obstacles that come flying at you while you box.
Reviewers enjoy this game but wish there was a wider variety of music available or that it allowed you to use your own. They also say that the routines aren't well-organized and it can be difficult to see their difficulty level.
However, many reviewers say this game is fun and easy to play. They find the VR to be reactive and enjoy the design of the game. They also say that it is a very good workout for the entire body.
Zumba has become a popular form of exercise due to how fun and accessible it is. It combines dance moves with music and this game has over 40 different routines and songs by many famous artists.
A Kinect is required to play the Xbox version. A few reviewers say they had issues connecting their Kinect with the game. Also, the routines and songs were not to everyone's tastes.
Still, many reviewers like the variety of routines included as they differ in difficulty and length. They also praise the variety of dance routines and how global the game really is. The game can support two players at a time, making it fun to play with a friend.
'Arms' has a roster of colorful characters that fight with the help of extendable arms. Each pair of arms is different and has its own strengths and weaknesses. With the Switch's motion controllers, you can box your way through multiple levels.
A few reviewers found the game to be quite repetitive and felt it does not have enough longevity. Some also found the motion controls to not be as sensitive as they would have liked.
On the other side, reviewers praise the character designs and how colorful the game is. They say it is suitable for players of all ages and, as it supports up to four local players, is especially fun when played with friends and family.
Video games can be an effective and fun form of exercise. However, if you're looking for a more traditional way to burn some calories, we have some recommendations for you!
No. 1: Beat Games|Beat Saber
No. 2: Nintendo|Ring Fit Adventure
No. 3: Niantic, Inc.|Pokémon Go
No. 4: Ubisoft|Just Dance 2020
No. 5: Six to Start|Zombies, Run!
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