Fitness and gaming seem like odd bedfellows. After all, the first thing you probably think of when you think of gaming is someone sitting on a couch, or at a desk - and you’d be far from wrong for doing so.
Gaming has long been considered a sedentary activity, but that doesn’t mean it can’t help you get into shape - particularly as the nights draw in closer and those of us who enjoy outdoor activity start to feel put off by the bad weather.
That’s why it’s always good to have a “bad weather workout” in mind, and there are a few to get you started. Here are some fun ways to stay active, even on those drizzly days.
Ring Fit Adventure
In many ways a spiritual successor to Nintendo’s work with Wii Fit, Ring Fit Adventure is a surprisingly comprehensive full-body workout that’ll certainly get your muscles working - and aching.
The titular ring packs plenty of resistance, and you slot your Nintendo Switch Joy Con controllers into it and the included leg holster. This allows the game, which takes the form of either a turn-based RPG or as a series of challenge segments depending on your preference, to track its movements.
Expect to find yourself squeezing the ring to work those arm muscles, engaging in a series of core workouts, or simply jogging on the spot. With options to suit standing and seated players, and a surprisingly lengthy campaign to play through, there’s plenty to do in Ring Fit Adventure.
Les Mills Bodycombat
From the cartoonish Ring Fit Adventure to an intense VR workout now, Les Mills Bodycombat transposes the company’s excellent fitness programs to compatible headsets.
The team keeps adding fresh modes, but whichever one you pick you’ll get a traditional body combat experience focused on quick strikes, a banging workout soundtrack, and in-app tuition from instructors. Think of it as having a 1-on-1 coaching session in VR and you’ll see why it’s so popular.
It’s not all work, though - there are a series of minigames to enjoy which help you gain confidence while you work out and set new leaderboard scores.
Just Dance
Ubisoft’s Just Dance series keeps going, and for good reason - it’s a great game to play at parties, and it couldn’t be simpler to play since you just need to copy the dance routines on screen.
Thanks to the arrival of Just Dance Now, you don’t even need a console anymore. There’s a VR version, too, but they all work the same way.
And, with Just Dance 2025 bringing tracks from Green Day, Lady Gaga, Little Mix, Usher, and Jack Harlow, plus a whole subscription service’s worth of additional tracks, you may never need to buy another game again.
Something a little different…
I also wanted to highlight a couple of apps that can make working out feel more like playing a game, or even a social network - Fitbod and Strava.
Fitbod
OK, hear me out - Fitbod may seem like a (very good) workout app, but the recent addition of muscle strength metrics makes it feel like you’re leveling up your character in an RPG.
It’s wonderful, letting you track individual muscle groups so you feel like you’re growing week on week. One week your maximum bicep curl strength is 20kg per arm, the next you’re hitting 22.5kg, and you’re rewarded with a little award each time.
It’s exactly the kind of thing that’s kept me pushing things month after month.
Strava
One of the most popular workout apps in the world, Strava blurs the line between being a way to track your runs, walks, or cycles, and being a fully-featured social network.
You can leave ‘Kudos’ for other users, compare times, add photos from your run, or even compete with Strava tracking how other runners and riders have done on certain parts of your route.
If you’re anything like me, then the free plan is well worth a look to get you started.
