Our Verdict
Though it doesn’t do anything innovative, Fitness Circuit is a solid exercise game that can help you to improve your cardiovascular and muscular health. The online play also helps to give you extra motivation through some friendly competition with your pals.
Exercise can feel like such a chore, and for many, it’s a feeling that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated. Even three years on from the outbreak, the remnants of months stuck indoors remain. I’m one such person that has some fairly bad habits courtesy of living my best hermit life for a good couple of years. Even with the world back to normal (well, to a certain extent), I still struggle to exercise, which is a shame since I put on a lot of weight and do like to exercise.
Well, luckily for me, Spike Chunsoft is on hand with Fitness Circuit for Nintendo Switch. You see, one of the things I struggle with is body image and that knocks my confidence and prevents me from going to the gym, and my ADHD brain means I struggle to focus and not get distracted at home. However, as a lifelong gamer, it’s fair to say that videogames do hold my attention.
So, as a sucker for punishment that doesn’t mind the idea of knocking herself or her dogs out (sorry, Monty and Scrappy) in the front room, I jumped into the world of Fitness Circuit. Now, I know what you’re thinking – there are already a fair few exercise games out there for Nintendo Switch, including Fitness Boxing, Nintendo Switch Sports, and Ring Fit Adventure, the latter of which actually has an adventure mode to keep you engaged.
However, while I love the prospect of an adventure mode, that doesn’t take away from the fact that Fitness Circuit is a solid exercise game that does what it sets out to do, and that’s to get your heart pumping as you begin a journey that culminates in a healthier lifestyle for you. With a range of exercises and workouts on offer, Fitness Circuit can help you towards your goals.
Should you want to train a specific body part, you can do so, be it your core, legs, arms, or back. Thanks to the circuit training on offer, you can develop both your cardiovascular and muscular fitness, which helps to improve your endurance and strength. Better still, the variety in exercise in the circuits helps to keep things fresh, and the fact that you only need to do this three times a week to see some benefits helps, too.
I have to say that while the game is enjoyable and is a solid exercise game, it doesn’t break the mold in a significant way. It’s another fitness title in a long string of health-centered games on Nintendo Switch. I don’t say this to diminish the quality of Fitness Circuit, for I actually work up a sweat, but rather to say that if you have a game such as Knockout Fitness, Ring Fit Adventure, or Fitness Boxing, you might not want to rush out and buy Fitness Circuit immediately unless you’re after more variety than those games can give.
For those of you with a competitive edge, you can work out with up to three other people at the same time through the online option. Of course, this is also a viable choice for those that don’t want to one-up their workout buddy but would rather have that extra support and encouragement. Personally, I tend to combine the two as I’m a competitive person by nature, but equally, I like to work out with somebody else and help to drive each other forward.
As for the game’s performance, it runs as smooth as butter, I’m yet to encounter any significant issues that mar my experience, and the colorfulness of the screen in front of you is energetic, helping you to maintain focus as you work out. Combine that with some upbeat music, and you have a solid workout game that can help you to achieve your goals.
All in all, if you’re in need of a fun and motivating exercise game, Fitness Circuit is a fine choice. However, it doesn’t do anything that’s so innovative that I can suggest buying it should you already own a workout title. Still, if it’s a quick regime and variation you want with just a commitment of three days a week, this is the game for you.
If after reading this you want to see what other Switch fitness games are out there, check out our list. Or, if you want to embrace the couch potato life while still being able to play sports, take a look at our wrestling games, baseball games, football games, and tennis games guides.