Categories / Digital & at-home
Featured in: Exercise for kids, When you hate exercise
Active Video Games
Ring Fit, Just Dance or Wii-style exercise games.
How to start
Choose a game that gets you moving, such as dance, sports or boxing, and play for 20 to 30 minutes.
How to progress
Choose more demanding games and play more often.
What the evidence says
Evidence: limited
A 2026 pooled analysis of 10 studies (732 children and adolescents) found no significant effect of active video games on blood glucose, insulin, cholesterol or triglycerides compared with other activity. The authors flagged the small number of studies. Evidence of effects on fitness in adults was not part of what we retrieved.
Take care: Clear space around you. Take breaks to avoid strain.
Sources
12-week starter plan
Play active games a few times a week.
Tick each week as you finish it; your ticks are saved on this device only. Repeat a week if it felt hard. Weeks 4, 8 and 12 hold steady so you can settle. This is a general plan, not medical advice.
Add reminders to your calendar
Pick your days and time. You will download a calendar file that adds 12 weeks of reminders to Google, Apple or Outlook calendar.
Calories and weekly minutes
Enter your details for a rough estimate. Based on about 4 METs (Typical effort for this activity (estimated)). Real figures vary by 20% or more between people.
Tips and common mistakes
Tips
- Clear space.
- Choose games that make you move.
- Play with friends.
Common mistakes
- Playing too close to furniture.
- Standing still.
- Overdoing it.
Kit and cost
Moderate Approximate UK prices.
- A games console or app
- Clear floor space
- A controller or camera
Frequently asked questions
Do active games count as exercise?
They can, if you move enough.
Do they improve cholesterol?
A pooled analysis in children found no clear change.
Are they safe?
Clear space and take breaks.
Good for: Fun & social Heart & fitness
Compare with similar options
| Active Video Games | VR Fitness | Virtual Races and Challenges | Home Exercise Videos | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical session | 30 min × 3/wk | 30 min × 3/wk | 30 min × 3/wk | 30 min × 3/wk |
| Effort | ●●○○○ | ●●●○○ | ●●●○○ | ●●●○○ |
| Cost | Low cost | Moderate cost | Low cost | Free |
| Equipment | Some equipment | Specialist kit | Basic kit | No equipment |
| Impact | Low impact | Low impact | Medium impact | Low impact |
| Fitness needed | Any level | Any level | Any level | Any level |
| Evidence | limited | limited | limited | limited |