Get Moving: 20 Video Games That Require Physical Activity

Introducing Slam by FitXR by FitXR1. Wii Sports

What started as a simple pack-in game evolved into a cultural phenomenon associated with exercise. Wii Sports requires players to swing controllers to mimic tennis, bowling, and boxing movements, using motion-sensing technology to track arm and body movements for gameplay. 

Ring Fit Adventure Overview Trailer - Nintendo Switch by Nintendo of America3. Just Dance 2023

The calorie-burning potential of dance gaming has never been more evident than with players crediting Just Dance 2023 with helping them lose significant weight through regular play. This full-body workout disguised as entertainment monitors player movements through motion controllers.

POKEMON GO - NEW POKEMON ON THE BEACH by Lachlan5. Beat Saber

Professional esports players train for hours daily to build the stamina and precision needed for competitive Beat Saber. Folks slash through blocks with lightsabers by making full-arm swinging motions, demanding precise timing and coordination while moving to electronic music beats. 

Beat Saber Queen Music Pack | Bohemian Rhapsody (Expert+) First Attempt by OtterWorldly6. Wii Fit

Physical therapy clinics began incorporating Wii Fit into their rehabilitation programs, recognizing its therapeutic potential beyond its entertainment value. This creation uses a balance board to track weight shifts and body movements during exercises, including yoga, strength training, and aerobic activities.

7. Dance Dance Revolution

Championship players can perform up to 800 steps per minute during expert-level songs. The arcade classic encourages everyone to step on arrow panels in time with the music, with constant leg movement that can burn up to 400 calories per hour.

Zombies, Run! by That Adventure Family9. Kinect Sports

Microsoft's Kinect sensor technology proved so effective at monitoring human movement that it was later adapted for use in medical rehabilitation. The well-known game uses full-body motion tracking for various sports activities. These include boxing, track and field, and volleyball.

Nintendo switch fitness boxing almost hard mode by Z2sniper gaming11. Supernatural

Daily workouts designed by professional fitness trainers take Supernatural beyond typical VR gaming into legitimate personal training territory. Here, choreographed routines are set against stunning virtual environments. This VR fitness game sees players punch targets while performing squats and lunges.

10 months of using Supernatural for my Fitness Routine! by Essi Flynn12. Fruit Ninja Kinect

The deceptively simple concept of slicing fruit turns into a surprisingly intense workout when mini-games require jumping and rapid arm movements. Folks slice fruit by making actual sword-swinging motions with their arms. Additionally, motion-sensing technology keeps the speed record.

Fruit Ninja Kinect Pomegranate (117 Hits) by josh11713. Zumba Fitness

Licensed Zumba instructors helped structure the game's movement recognition system. It ensured the virtual experience maintains the authenticity and energy of real Zumba classes. The game features genuine Latin dance routines. 10+ songs offer varying intensity levels for different fitness abilities.

Kinect: Zumba Fitness - Video Trailer by IGN14. Arms

Nintendo designed Arms to encourage physical activity through combat. This is one of the few fighting games where victory depends entirely on real physical exertion rather than button combinations. People throw punches using motion controls to handle extendable robot arms.

ARMS: Movement 101 - Nintendo Switch by Nintendo of America15. Wii Sports Resort

Enhanced MotionPlus technology serves more accurate movement tracking. Wii Sports Resort includes activities like archery, frisbee, and basketball with realistic motions that demand proper form and technique. The sword-fighting mode stands out by asking gamers to do actual fencing-style movements.

Wii Sports Resort: Motion Plus Demo by IGN16. OhShape

OhShape is a VR rhythm game that combines music, movement, and fitness for a full-body workout experience. Individuals must move their entire body to fit through cutouts in approaching walls, punch obstacles, and strike dynamic poses in time with the beat. 

Punch Out WII is WAY Harder than I thought by Walkywall18. FitXR

Live multiplayer classes with up to 7 other players form a social fitness environment. In this activity, VR boxing and dance workouts become shared experiences. There is constant movement and punching as folks hit targets while doing squats, dodges, and blocks in rhythm.

NEW Moves on FitXR 🔥 by FitXR19. EA Sports Active

Personal trainers guide individuals through cardio and strength training routines, providing professional instruction and motivation throughout 30-day workout challenges that feature progressive difficulty increases. Resistance bands and leg straps are essential for strength training exercises that incorporate real fitness equipment.

20. Your Shape: Fitness Evolved

Your Shape: Fitness Evolved can scan a player's body to create personalized avatars for motivation. It uses full-body movement monitoring during exercise, ensuring every move is corrected for maximum effectiveness. Ubisoft Montreal developed it for the Xbox 360.