Our Verdict
Knockout Home Fitness is a fun game that does exactly what it sets out to do. If you use this game as its intended, then it can aid you in achieving your fitness goals
It’s that time of year again. You know, where we all say ‘this is it, I’m going to lose weight, get fit, cut out the rubbish, and look after myself.’ Unfortunately, a lot of us also happen to be pathological liars. That’s me. I’m ‘us’. See, I used to be fit and very sporty way back in the day. I played basketball, football, took part in athletics, and loved mixed martial arts. Yet, I let myself go over the years, and just kind of fell out of everything.
I’m extremely conscious of the way I look now, and I hate that. So, it’s time to make a change, and it just so happens a new Switch game, Knockout Home Fitness, was released not too long ago, and it might just help me on my weight loss journey. But honestly, I’m always a little sceptical when new home exercise games come out.
You see, the problem a lot of these games have is repetitiveness, and not being able to keep me hooked. Is that because I’m lazy? Is it because I usually end up in a heap on the floor with my beloved dogs? Or, is it because I grow tired of the exact same thing day in and day out? Probably a mixture of all three – though I’d argue ending up on a bundle on the floor with two fur babies is a fun time.
However, I’ve been using Knockout Home Fitness for over a week now, and it’s surprised me. I’m also surprised at how accurate the name of the game is, because, yes, I’ve given knocking myself out a good try. Yet, crucially, I’ve not only been enjoying my workouts, but I’ve also been looking forward to them, and trust me when I say I’ve not looked forward to exercising since I was a sports student at university. Yes, my education serves me well, while I sit at a desk rambling about games.
One thing I love about Knockout Home Fitness is how it caters to all skill levels. If you’re new to exercise, it eases you in, instead of charging forward, leaving you in a sweaty heap within minutes. Of course, it still gets the blood pumping, but it doesn’t ruin you. Too often, home exercise games or fitness DVDs have you running before you can walk, and this is what leads many to give up on their fitness goals, through this method at least.
As the game name indicates, Knockout Home Fitness embraces a variety of mixed martial arts manoeuvres to give you a good workout. It includes boxing, muay Thai, karate, and more. So, if you fancy learning how to correctly throw a punch, kick, knee, or elbow, for instance, this title is more than worth a try.
The mechanics of the game are easy to pick up, with an on-screen instructor constantly showing you what to do. Simply hold the joy-cons in each hand, and repeat the exercises that are presented to you on the screen. The game encourages rhythm, and, as you practice, it becomes easier to get into the swing of things.
When it comes to personal training, you can select your goals, resulting in customised workouts. If you fancy working in your abs, rather than your arms, for instance, simply change the training settings to see some workout adjustments. Personally, I found myself enjoying any and all exercises that allowed me to utilise fighting techniques, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t appreciate when it was time to throw some squats in there.
Speaking from my own experience, the exercises in this game work, and boy, do you feel the effects the day after. Especially when you’re getting into the swing of things. However, I did find it easier to drag myself to the front room to work through the pain, than making my way to the gym like I used to do.
You have multiple options when it comes to the sort of exercise you’re after. If you’re ready for a full workout, the personal training section is the place to be. Alternatively, if you’re after a quick three to five-minute session, there’s a section for that as well. Furthermore, no matter which one you select, your data is recorded. So, as the days and weeks roll by, you can look back in the calendar to see just how much progress you’ve made.
As for game performance, I have little to complain about. Knockout Home Fitness runs smoothly, there are no stuttering frame rates, and the graphics don’t offend my eyes while I’m exercising. If I had to make one small complaint, it would be the instructors themselves. Yes, they serve a purpose, but that doesn’t mean I have to enjoy the somewhat condescending tone in which they can speak.
All in all, I’d recommend Knockout Home Fitness to anyone that wants to give home exercise a proper try. It’s fun, engaging, and offers a range of exercises that not only benefits your body, but also prevents you from getting bored, keeping the game fresh, rather than allowing it to become stagnant.