Video games and fitness don’t normally go hand in hand, but sometimes there are exceptions. There areplenty of fitness games availablewhich cater purely to people who want to improve their health and wellbeing, but the biggest hurdle people may face when wanting to improve their fitness is maintaining it. A lot of people start with the best intentions of keeping up a new fitness regime, but real life can get in the way, and this motivation can soon disappear.
One way to encourage gamers to stick to their goals is to add a story as a way to keep them hooked, which in turn keeps people engaged with the exercises they are doing. Not only will this list give players a fitness game with a story, but there will be something for every age and ability. This includes a gentle stroll in the park searching for Pokémon, to running for your life against a horde of zombies.
6The Walk (Android & iOS)
Walking is an excellent way for people to stay healthy, with 10,000 steps generally being recognized as something to aim for each day. The only problem with this is finding the time and incentive to lace up some sneakers and step outside the door. This is where the episodic story-based appThe Walkcomes into its own.The Walkputs players in the shoes of someone who witnesses a terrorist attack by the evil organization, The Burn. A case of mistaken identity finds the player being pursued by this group as the fate of the world hangs in the balance.The Walkwas developed bySix To Start, the makers ofZombies, Run. Players who’ve experiencedZombies, Run, can expect the same level ofhigh-quality storytelling and voice acting.
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The beauty ofThe Walkis that the story unfolds depending on how many minutes people walk, with the map showing how many minutes are left until the next clip unlocks. This is a real incentive to keep going as players will naturally want to find out more as the plot thickens. There are achievements to earn and items to collect which provides an added bonus. There is also some replayability as players can decide where they want to go which can affect the story.The Walkis a great companion for people who want to get healthier, with the bonus being that it provides a compelling story to keep players going.
5ARMS (Nintendo Switch)
AlthoughARMSisn’t technically a fitness game, it will definitely give gamers a workout as they battle against different fighters. A futuristic take onanother Nintendo franchise,Punch-Out,ARMSsees players take control of a range of colorful fighters that have customizable arms which extend.
The Joy-Cons are held by the player and can be used to block and punch, as well as execute special moves. With 15 fighters to choose from,ARMSis a good way to get gamers off the couch and release their frustration by throwing some punches.
4Ring Fit Adventure (Nintendo Switch)
The gaming community has to give credit to Nintendo for blending fitness and video games for the masses.Ring Fit Adventuregives players of different abilities the chance to improve their fitness with multiple exercises which are cleverly designed around new peripherals the Ring-Con and Leg Strap. Players explore a fantasy world by jogging on the spot. Coins can be collected and the Ring-Con can be squeezed, or pulled, which allows players to jump and collect coins.
As players progress through the world different types of enemies must be defeated. This is where various exercises are done to help gamers fight, including squats and stomach crunches. All the player’s stats are tracked, and more exercises are unlocked as players progress and level up. There are also boss fights which provide a more difficult challenge.Ring Fit Adventurecan be tailored to suit gamers' level of fitness from a beginner to someone who regularly exercises.Wii Fitwas a huge success, butRing Fit Adventureis quite possibly Nintendo’s best fitness game.
3Pokémon Go (Android & iOS)
Released in 2016,Pokémon Gowas a genuine phenomenon that has been played by millions of people across the planet. As well as giving players the chance to catch their favoritePokémon, it also encouraged people to step out of their front door and explore places they may not necessarily have discovered.
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Pokémon Gois far from a flash in the pan success andcontinues to receive updates and supportfor existing and new fans of the series. This includes a roster of hundreds ofPokémonavailable to catch, community days, raid battles, and team rocket battles.Pokémon Gois a great way to encourage people to get some fresh air and discover new places where they live, as well as attempt to find newPokémonfor their collection.
2Creed: Rise To Glory (PlayStation VR)
Boxing games andvirtual reality are generally excellentways to keep fit, so adding the story and characters from the movieCreedis a no-brainer. The player takes the role ofAdonis ‘Donny’ JohnsonandCreed: Rise To Glorystarts with his journey from promising young talent to being trained byRocky Balboa.Michael B Jordanprovides the vocal talents, and the music which is used in the movies is included. This brings a real sense of authenticity to the game. Unfortunately,Sylvester Stallonedoesn’t voiceRockybut having a virtual version of the Italian Stallion hold the pads as players train still feels good.
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There are different training levels before you face off against various characters includingApollo Creed,Rocky Balboa, andIvan Drago. Gamers do need a couple of PlayStation Move Controllers to get the full benefit, but as long as you have those, players will work up a sweat as they face off against some of the most iconic characters from the big screen.
1Zombies, Run (Android & iOS)
Jogging is a great way to get fit not just physically, but also mentally. Sometimes the biggest barrier people face with running is maintaining a regular regime. This is whereZombies, Runcan be the perfect motivation for people to lace up their sneakers. Thisepisodic story-based taleplaces players in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. Taking the role of a runner, players must collect supplies to rebuild their outpost, whilst keeping an eye open for survivors. As the story plays out there are moments when the player is chased by zombies.
Although this isn’t happening in reality, it’s hard not to get swept away with a surge of adrenaline as thegroan of the undeadcan be heard as they pursue another victim. Ironically players don’t have to run withZombies, Runand the episodes can be enjoyed during a more leisurely walk. So, whether people are new to running, training for a 5k, or even a full marathon,Zombies, Runwill give new and existing runners the motivation to keep going.
