5 Games and Gadgets to Help You Break a Sweat
As the world continues to become more virtual, video game platforms and exercise activities were bound to converge at some point. The stereotypical couch-potato gamer has plenty of options these days to help them get up and get moving — while still living out their virtual fantasy. Rolling Stone recently spoke to Justin Norris, Co-CEO of LIT Method, a fitness company that combines personal training, physical therapy, and injury prevention by coming up with rowing and resistance bands workouts. They specialize in their signature Low Impact Training Method and can currently count JAY-Z and five-time MLB All-Star Adrian Gonzalez as investors.
“You have to meet people where they’re at. If they’re playing a video game [anyway], it’s only a net positive if, while doing so, they’re strengthening their cardiovascular health or building muscles,” Norris told Rolling Stone. “We’re not one-dimensional beings. I like gaming and I like exercise. I see no reason why those wouldn’t be integrated for people who want to couple the benefits of both, instead of falling into the traditional gaming experience with long periods of stagnancy.”
Norris went on to suggest “picking games that focus on moving in multiple planes of motion, functional training that doesn’t overwork one muscle group and promote a culture of overuse and injury, and [using] the space around you.” It will be interesting to see how the fitness industry continues to adapt as we embrace concepts like virtual reality and the metaverse.
For those of you that want to be ahead of the crowd, Rolling Stone also put together a list of the best consoles, gadgets and games for exercising. We’ve compiled a few of them below
1 . Nintendo Switch
The video game giant has long been the hardware of choice for exergamers. The Switch picks up where the Wii left off and in some ways, like portability, improves on the fit gaming experience.
There’s something for all members of your household and fitness levels. You’ll find a wide range of AVG types, including sports games (Instant Sports franchise), cardio-heavy workouts, name-brand fitness programs like Zumba, rhythm games featuring your favorite artists (Just Dance series, Fitness Boxing 2), competitive mini-games (1-2-Switch) products that combine beloved Nintendo titles (Mario Tennis Aces), and more traditional role-playing games with added active elements.
2. Oculus Quest 2
There are lots of virtual reality headsets on the market, but Oculus is a good place to start your VR journey. It’s home to the super fun and sweat-inducing Beat Saber, where players slice color-coded boxes to the beat with lightsabers while leaning and squatting out of the way of obstacles. Augment the soundtrack with the latest Billie Eilish bundle or the Skrillex pack.
The Facebook-owned headset has a good variety of games. Scale mountains in The Climb, play tennis with a golf club or bowl with a basketball in Sports Scramble, box as Michael B. Jordan in Creed: Rise To Glory, or shake your booty with Dance Central. More traditional training experiences can also be had with Holofit or Supernatural. New boxing, HIIT, and dance classes are added daily to subscription-required FitXR, which bumps with hits from artists like Calvin Harris and Tiesto. There’s also a collection of cool-down and meditation apps (Nature Treks VR, Tripp).
3 . Ring Fit Adventure Game & Accessories Bundle
If you invest in only one AVG, make it this hero product of Nintendo’s fitness lineup. The bundle comes with the game and both the Ring-Con and leg strap accessories.
The detachable joysticks from your Switch unit plug into the accessories and track your movements. Once you’ve geared up, there are several ways to burn calories. There’s a fantasy adventure game with more than 100 levels that requires you to walk, jog, paddleboard, or high-knee through levels and defeat enemies using exercises like overhead shoulder presses and leg lifts. Quick Play allows gamers to do timed exercises working specific muscle groups and play 12 movement-encouraging minigames.
4 . Stealth Core Trainer
Everyone knows planking is a power move that can help strengthen core muscles, carve abs, and increase stability. But like most things that you know are good for you, planking often is preceded by a wave of dread. This core trainer aims to change that in under three minutes a day. Stealth’s platform, which supports up to 300 pounds and works with all smartphones currently on the market, moves 360 degrees, and all that twisting and turning makes for a more dynamic workout. In fact, our editors have tested it and say it helped them hold a plank for longer than ever without realizing it.
To use it, simply place your phone in the space at the top of the board and start holding your plank. Once you’re using the app, your body and core become the joystick while playing the game. The free app comes with four games (Speed Gliding, Space Escape, Color Chase, and Galaxy Adventure). It also includes a real-time worldwide leaderboard, tracks your daily progress, and can be used to create private challenges with friends.
5 . LiteBoxer
This celebrity-approved boxing system offers serious Dance Dance Revolution vibes, but you use your arms to hit targets instead of your feet. While it looks like a traditional piece of exercise equipment, it deploys gaming tactics (flashing lights, bumping music, rhythmic sequences you have to imitate, and on-screen instructors) to keep you interested and sweating.
Both the free-standing version with a platform base and the new, more compact wall-mounted unit feature more than 200 LED lights, plus built-in sensors and technology to count, track, and measure each jab. There’s also a pad for upper cuts. Pick a song from the library — there’s rock, rap, pop, and EDM hits — and follow the signals to punch on the beat. There are also trainer-led workouts that combine stretching, cardio, and boxing, sparring sessions, warmups, and classes outside of the boxing genre. Many of those focus on full-body conditioning or use the color-coordinated set of resistance bands.
Written By: Christopher Harris