It’s the holiday season! Can you feel it already? For some fitness enthusiasts, this is a bulking season, when they gain weight and build muscle in preparation for the many food fiestas happening around in these months.
That also means gyms and fitness clubs are more crowded than ever. Even if you manage to get in, if you can’t get hold of the machines or weights you want because they are being used, what’s the point?
Try working out at home, and not just exercising at home, but using the power of video games to benefit your health. The Nintendo Switch is the perfect console to do so.
The Nintendo Switch is a tablet, so it’s mostly handheld. On the surface, it’s not like your PlayStation or VR consoles, where you can really immerse yourself in the game just as you would experience the fitness center. But, since the Switch can be docked for home use or used as a portable device, it’s a promising way to play your favorite fitness-themed games. Here are some of the best.
‘Just Dance 2025′
Even if you are not a professional dancer or more of a singer than a dancer, you’ll love and sweat it out in this game because the choreography on screen is so easy to follow. The 2025 edition is already the franchise’s 16th edition, mind you. Unlike your Zumba classes, where your instructor would insist on playing oldies songs, “Just Dance” plays the hottest and trendiest songs today. Some of those on the playlist are Ariana Grande’s “yes, and?,” Sabrina Carpenters’s “Espresso,” and Billie Eilish’s “LUNCH.”
‘Fitness Boxing’
Then, you have “Fitness Boxing.” If you are intimidated by trying boxing in real life or you feel the boxing classes in your gym are too expensive, you can set up your Nintendo Switch for this breezy, energetic body pump that will get you moving. For sure, your appetite will hype up as you finish the exercise routine in this game, urging you to enjoy your meals even more. It’s also fun because you’ll box to some beats. Try this game today.
‘Zumba Burn It Up!’
Alright, calm down, calm down. You’re looking for this, for sure. Zumba is a very popular class in gyms, and now, with your Nintendo Switch, you can enjoy it anytime you want, even while you’re at home. “Zumba Burn it Up!” is exclusive to the Switch and resembles the gameplay of “Just Dance” so that the Joy-Con can track your movements as you follow the instructions on-screen. Instead of an animated figure that dances like a pro in “Just Dance” (making them so hard to follow sometimes), you’ll follow an on-screen Zumba instructor just like how you dance and burn calories in real life. It’s realistic because there’s the Full Class mode that lets you work out for 60 minutes.
‘Ring Fit Adventure’
Have you ever tried working out with rings in the gym? It’s fun, right? With “Ring Fit Adventure,” Nintendo takes it further and pushes the limits of motion control gameplay. It’s not just a fitness game but also a 20-plus-hour role-playing game! Connect your Joy-Cons to a Pilates-inspired Ring-Con and leg strap, making it feel like it’s really rings in your local gym. You move along a fixed path by jogging in place, while the game makes it even more fun as you run along monsters and obstacles that will push you to your limits. Moreover, you’ll also get to enjoy minigames, such as “Crate Crasher,” “Squattery Wheel,” and “Robo-Wrecker.” Immerse into this today.
‘Arms’
No overthinking. The game is called “Arms” and is very direct in its approach. It’s also a boxing-themed game, but it’s a futuristic motion-controlled game with a wide range of depth. While there’s the less competitive motion control option, if you feel like competing with your family or friends, there’s a competitive play that works best either with a controller or handheld mode. Games like “Fitness Boxing” are, for sure, fun, but “Arms” adds in a cerebral layer to the fighting aspect of Nintendo Switch games, offering a different experience altogether.
‘Jump Rope Challenge’
Why wouldn’t you have a jumping role at home? This is why the appearance of “Jump Rope Challenge” on the Switch eShop came as a surprise. But, if you’re too lazy to pick up that real jump role at home, you can head to this free game that will have you grabbing your Joy-Con and jumping over a virtual rope as many times as possible. It’s also interesting because the game was invented by a Nintendo staff working from home during the pandemic. It’s not the most creatively designed game, but it’s nonetheless cute.
‘Sports Party’
Meanwhile, if you’re just looking for a lighter workout, try “Sports Party” by Ubisoft. Sure, the games feature various motion controls, but their intensity isn’t enough to make this game as exhilarating as the others here. It’s perfect for older Nintendo Switch gamers who just need a little exercise daily. There are ring, jump rope, frisbee, and beach tennis games.
‘Mario Tennis Aces’
Last but not least is a video game featuring one of the biggest stars of gaming in it: Mario. It’s not Mario jumping over pipes and shooting turtles, but Mario who plays… tennis. Cool! Get into the game to work on your arms as you swing your Joy-Con like an actual tennis racket. Unleash your inner Djokovic or Serena Williams.
Living a sedentary lifestyle will take some toll on your health. If you just eat, work, and sleep, you’re more likely to catch unwanted diseases. However, at the same time, not everyone will have the time and money to sign up for membership at the gym. In these instances, it is recommended that you use your gaming consoles like your Nintendo Switch to your best advantage. Let’s get physical!
