In my house, there is a constant battle between screens and activity, and I get it. No one wants to leave their climate-controlled house to go to the gym or run outside, but physical activity is essential to our well-being. Your family can have the best of both worlds with the best video games for the Nintendo Switch, which is among the favorite consoles in my home.
Unfortunately, given the current state of video games, there aren’t many that don’t require the use of VR or other specialized equipment. Xbox, once the industry leader with Kinect, is almost non-existent in the fitness gaming industry in 2025, apart from a few dance games. This article covers the most popular fitness games for the Nintendo Switch, mainly because that’s what my kids play most often when it comes to fitness-based video games. Additionally, the Switch features unique controllers that are better suited for gamified fitness. In a few cases, the games are also available on other gaming consoles, and I’ve included that information in case you’re a multi-console family.
Living in Minnesota, it’s not always an option to send the kids out to play, which is why I decided to merge screens and fitness in my house. We are blessed with numerous consoles and games, so they can choose which games they feel like playing at the time, as long as they keep them active. Here are the best fitness games for the Nintendo Switch that provide a fun way to work up a sweat. However, parents beware – you may find yourself joining in on the fun.
Ring Fit Adventure: Worth The Extra Cost (10+)
It should be noted that this game is slightly more expensive than the others because it requires additional equipment. However, in my opinion, the extra money is worth it, because this game is so fun that your kids will forget they are working out. RPGs are big in my house, and this Nintendo Switch game has figured out how to perfectly merge the movement of a fitness game with the fun of an RPG.
There are over 100 levels in 20 different worlds to explore, so you don’t get the same repetitive feeling that you got with Wii Sports. Players must perform a variety of total-body movements, ranging from squats to overhead presses. They even make you work out while you are traveling between fights. It’s not uncommon to have to jog through tall grass, kayak upstream, or squat jump off of jump pads to get from place to place.
I especially like this game for my 15-year-old daughter because it makes working out fun. As someone more comfortable in her room watching YouTube than being active, this was a perfect purchase. The fact that it is in the comfort of our home, with no one around, and often feels more like a game than a workout makes her more motivated to exercise. If you pick up Ring Fit Adventure and spend the extra $10, you’ll quickly realize why it’s on my family’s list of the best fitness games for Nintendo Switch.
Fitness Boxing 3: More Than Just Fitness (10+)
Each of these games is effective because it tricks you into working out, but Fitness Boxing 3 may just be the best at it. Despite the physical aspects of boxing, shadow boxing like this doesn’t offer a ton of strength training, but it is a fun and engaging way to get some cardio. One could think of this rhythm punching game as Beat Saber or Guitar Hero, except with fists. With this in mind, Fitness Boxing 3 mixes in more than just boxing.
The idea is simple, you hold one Joy-Con in each hand and punch at the correct time to keep beat with the rhythm. The game mixes up combinations, so it’s not just jabbing over and over; there are also crosses and hooks. It also reminds you to keep your feet moving during the game, simulating real boxing training. The gyroscopes in the Joy-Cons are surprisingly accurate when picking up movement to understand the difference between a jab, a cross, and a hook, but they aren’t perfect.
Boxing is a fantastic cardio workout, and this game is awesome if you have kids who have expressed interest in martial arts, but you’re not quite ready to take that leap. It helps them with the basics of footwork and striking while not putting them in any danger. Fitness Boxing 3 understands that repeatedly throwing punch combos can get a little boring, so it incorporates other exercises. My kids love this game, not because of the exercise, but because of how customizable your characters are – it’s a little like them playing with the box the toy came in. Lastly, it is essential to note that this game offers a seated mode, allowing people with disabilities to participate in the action.
Just Dance: The Classic Workout Game (5+)
Just Dance has become the Madden of fitness video games, with a new installment released each year. In recent years, they have developed cross-game technology, so if you and your friends have different versions, you can still enjoy the game together. The 2025 addition, and any future additions, come with 40 new songs to dance to.
I love Just Dance for my family because it is a fun way for everyone to release a little energy. There is a reason your local gym offers so many different dance classes; it’s a more challenging workout than you would think. Of course, the kids don’t seem to be as affected as the adults.
This cross-platform game is suitable for all ages, but there are a couple of things parents should be aware of. First, parents should vet all the songs before letting kids choose them to ensure that the song is appropriate for their family. Second, this game requires a lot of movement, so it needs an area without obstacles or people in the way (we had an unfortunate incident with Just Dance in our house once).
You can also play Just Dance on Playstation and Xbox consoles.
Arms: The Sneakiest Way to Get Kids to Work Out for Young Kids (7+)
Arms for the Nintendo Switch would be a charming fighting game for younger kids without the exercise aspect. It is a fighting game in the vein of Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter, but tailored for younger players. There isn’t intense violence; instead, think of it more as a digital version of Rock’Em Sock’Em Robots, where opponents throw punches at each other until one is incapacitated.
The coolest part about Arms is that you don’t even notice you are working out when you play. The game still requires you to press buttons to activate some parts of the attack, but it also requires real punches and rapid hand movements. So, while you are focused on taking out your opponent, your arms are moving a lot.
It may not be the most physical game on this list, but it is a great way to motivate a kid who would rather be on their iPad, like my six-year-old. I also appreciate that just like Fitness Boxing 3, this game can be played seated, which means people living with disabilities or those who don’t have a lot of space to move around can still reap the physical benefits of Arms.
This might be the best fitness game for Nintendo Switch that “tricks” your kids into some additional physical activity, and it’s just a ton of fun for the entire family!
Jump Rope Challenge: Simple and Free (4+)
This Nintendo Switch game is about as basic as it gets, but it’s also free. The game is simple: you take a Joy-Con in each hand and use them like jump rope handles for your virtual jump rope. If you have a second set of Joy-Cons, you can play up to two people and have an ongoing competition on the game.
I’d be lying if I said this was my kids’ favorite game, but it gets visited occasionally, and there will likely be some jump rope competitions as my middle child heads into her cross-country season. For a game as rudimentary as this, the Joy-Cons are surprisingly accurate when it comes to jump count.
Several elements in the game may attract kids, especially the younger ones. Kids can change the backgrounds and their characters’ outfits to customize their experience. The game also features a simplistic art style that will appeal to younger kids, making it a great way to get the littlest members of your family moving.
Mario Tennis Aces: Using Classic Characters for Motivation (5+)
Mario is probably one of the most recognizable characters of all time, and kids love him. That’s why it is a slam dunk to get them moving with a Mario game. As a Nintendo property, this one is exclusive to the Switch and Switch 2, and again relies heavily on the gyroscopes in the Joy-Cons.
My kids love this game because it is another one where you don’t even realize you are working out. You can play Mario Tennis Aces using only the buttons, but you can also switch it to motion controls, which is where the magic happens. The best way to describe this game is an updated version of the classic Wii Sports tennis, which was a little choppy. This one has much better graphics, characters you love, and responds better to swings.
The one downside to this game is that it requires a lot of room, like many other games. Kids don’t need to run across the entire living room, but they feel like they have to, kind of like when we were kids and would turn in our seats while playing racing games. We’ve managed to escape injury with this game, but I have had to move the couch for my youngest a few times.
Mario Tennis has a rich history and Mario Tennis Aces is at the top of the franchises list, making it a top contender among the best fitness games for Nintendo Switch
Yoga Master: Workout With The Family (10+)
Available for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation consoles, this game is an infinite yoga class for less than the cost of a single class at your local gym. I love yoga, and this game especially, because it is an activity the whole family can do. It is not as inherently fun as most other games on the list, but the time spent with family doing funny yoga poses usually makes the fun occur organically.
This really is just a simple yoga game that almost anyone can play. They offer exercises for beginners and pros, incorporating movements from classic yoga poses to more contemporary ones for a new age. It employs the classic ‘tell, show, do’ method of exercise, allowing players of all ages to understand what they are doing. A prominent timer also lets you know exactly how long you are holding the pose for.
The argument could be made that you can visit your local thrift store and purchase yoga DVDs for a dollar each, but none of them can compare to Yoga Master. This game features more movements than you will find on a workout DVD, and customizable environments, allowing the whole family to work out in a calm setting. The Joy-Cons or PlayStation’s move wand can be used for more accurate feedback from the game, but they are not necessary to play.
Instant Sports Summer Games: A Choose Your Own Adventure Fitness Game (4+)
The whole family, or even the whole neighborhood, can get in on this Switch game that supports up to eight players at once (with two Switch consoles). The graphics of this game are more consistent with the Mii characters you remember from Wii Sports, but it expands the kinds of movements that you do. Kids can get a full-body workout from Instant Sports Summer Games without even realizing it.
Each of the twelve games offered here requires motion control, meaning kids must be constantly on the move. Games like archery and javelin throw focus on upper-body movements, while two different high jump games make you jump not because it’s required, but because you get so into the game. With twelve different games to choose from, kids can mix and match what games they are feeling, so they get a different workout every time.
There is plenty of fun to be had here for kids ten and under, but older kids will likely lose interest in this game pretty quickly. However, they may want to revisit it every once in a while to see if they can beat their previous high scores, and they continue to grow. For the most part, the graphics, game duration, and difficulty level are all geared toward the youngest family members.
Knockout Home Fitness: A Martial Arts Introduction (6+)
This game follows the same general animation and style as Fitness Boxing, but mixes in multiple martial arts moves. Unlike the Fitness Boxing Series, this game focuses on movements from boxing, Muay Thai, Kung Fu, and Karate, thereby activating more muscles in both the upper and lower body. Mom and Dad may find that they like this kind of low-impact workout as much as the kids.
There are many reasons to like this game, but the customization has to be at the top of the list. You can pick from four different trainers and three different difficulty levels. Everyone in our house loves that the workouts are only fifteen minutes long, especially with the more intense exercises. If you want more, after the fifteen-minute personal training workout, you can do shorter three-minute add-on exercises. Kids will always try to get out of work, so it is nice that this game offers report cards, allowing you to keep track of their progress and see how they’re doing.
This game requires significantly more lower-body movement than Fitness Boxing 3, so it may not be suitable for everyone and requires more space. I like that I can let my kids loose on this game and know that the low-impact movements aren’t hurting them, and hopefully, they are learning a few self-defence tips along the way. While this game offers plenty of exercise, if your kids are perfectionists, it may not be the game for them because the controls are sensitive. You have to match your kicks and punches to a rhythm, so one misrecorded punch could cost you a perfect score even if you did it right.
Those are the best fitness games for Nintendo Switch, according to my kids. Hopefully, some of their selections will also get your kids moving, either on their own or with family and friends.
