It's been a while since playing video games stopped being at odds with spending hours sitting on the couch. The arrival of active video games, which require us to be in motion and gamify exercise, has changed the idea we had of spending an afternoon playing on a console.
If you're a video game lover and want to start moving more, or if you want to encourage someone else to do so by giving them a game that forces them to be more active, this is our selection of video games that keep you in shape.
Just Dance 2021: turn your living room into a dance floor
One of the most fun video games to get in shape while having fun, whether playing alone or at a gathering with friends. The mechanics of Just Dance are very simple: choreographies of super well-known songs will appear on the TV screen that we'll have to follow with the console controller in our hand, so it can recognize our movements. The better we copy the movements of the characters appearing on screen, the higher score we'll get.
There are songs for all levels, even for kids, and we can compete to get our highest score or do it online against thousands of players from different countries. The latest editions of the game also include the sweat mode, which keeps us informed of the calories we're burning during our dance session.
Personally, it's one of my favorite video games to stay active on days when a hard workout isn't on the schedule. I have a personal playlist of the most upbeat songs that can perfectly substitute for a light cardio workout at home.
Just Dance 2021 is available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, XBox One, and XBox Series X.
Ring Fit Adventure: defeat enemies with squats
One of the big releases for Nintendo Switch last year was: a sort of mix of adventure and role-playing game where your avatar reflects your movements on screen, captured through two peripherals that the controllers attach to (a ring similar to the and a leg strap placed on the thigh). Throughout the adventure, we'll encounter enemies that we can defeat by performing different exercises like squats, yoga poses, or arm strength exercises.
The best thing about this video game is the sense of gamification it offers us, to the point of forgetting we're doing a small strength and cardio workout. The graphics, in Nintendo's style, are colorful and bright, and immerse us in a fantasy world without leaving our living room.
Another strong point is that we can design our own workout routines directly from the game (a few months ago we shared) simulating a light workout using our own body weight.
Ring Fit Adventure is available only for Nintendo Switch at a price of €69.90.
Ring Fit Adventure (Nintendo Switch)
Beat Saber: test your coordination in virtual reality
Virtual reality continues to and and, if you want to try it with music and coordination games that force you to get off the couch, Beat Saber is one of the best options available to us.
The game, at first, is very simple: we put on the virtual reality headset, grab a controller in each hand, and start slicing blocks with two laser sabers to the rhythm of the music and in the direction indicated. In addition to the blocks we have to destroy, we'll also find obstacles that will force us to duck into a squat or move sideways.
The game has different difficulty levels for all songs (we can buy song packs in addition to the ones included by default) and also we can modify the songs by adding more difficulties or changing the speed. Careful, because it's addictive!
The price of Beat Saber is on Steam and to play we'll need a virtual reality headset like the PlayStation VR glasses or the Oculus Quest 2.
FitBoxing 2: rhythm & exercise, to get your arms in shape
Whether you've started training fitboxing (a more aerobic variant of classic boxing, replicating its movements but without physical contact) or if you want to try how it would suit you, it could be an interesting choice.
To start playing, we just need to grab one Switch controller in each hand and perform the different boxing punches indicated to us to the rhythm of the music. We can do everything from light sessions with simple punches to much more demanding sessions with more complex combinations of punches and dodges.
The best part of the game? If you're a beginner, the first lessons to learn the are very interesting and the instructions are quite accurate. Furthermore, they don't forget about core work and footwork during training. What I would change, and this is an absolutely subjective opinion, are the songs (I'd try to include tracks with better sound quality) and the overly colorful aesthetic of the game.
Fitness Boxing 2: rhythm & exercise is available for Nintendo Switch at a price of €42.99.
Fitness Boxing 2 - Rhythm and Exercise
Zumba Fitness line, to get in shape to the rhythm of Latin music
Another dance game with which we can enjoy a light cardio workout in our own living room. Very similar to Just Dance, but with Latin rhythms, we just need to grab the console controller in hand and replicate the movements we see on our TV screen.
Zumba is, and classes tend to be full: simple movements to the rhythm of Latin-style music (from cumbia to reggaeton) that encourage us to move and also to be creative by adding our own flair to the dance.
Within the Zumba Fitness line, we can find different titles for various platforms like PlayStation 3, Xbox360, Wii, Wii U, or Xbox One. From Zumba Kids, aimed at the little ones at home, to Zumba Fitness Core, focused on working our midsection.
Zumba Burn it Up!
Note: some of the links published here are affiliate links. Despite this, none of the mentioned articles have been proposed by brands or stores, their inclusion being a unique decision of the editorial team. Prices and availability may vary after publication.
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