Combining video games with exercise is an ambitious challenge, but Fitness Boxing 3: Your Personal Trainer steps into the ring aiming to make cardio workouts engaging and accessible. While it won’t turn you into a championship boxer, it succeeds as a fun way to burn calories, get moving, and break a sweat—all without leaving your living room.
It is odd that a new fitness-based Joy-Con game is entering the 2024 gaming arena and as a result, it does feel a little late to the party. The game does admittedly have rather scaled-back visuals and a basic soundtrack that does what it says on the box, and little else. At the end of the day, it won’t turn you into a protein-guzzling gym junkie, but it will however prove to be a fantastic first entry point into a fitness journey that you can do from the comfort of your own home.
Punches, Progress and Promises
The game skips narrative and world-building in favour of a no-frills approach to fitness. Upon starting, you’ll input personal details like age, weight, and height, setting the stage for tracking your progress over time.
The core gameplay revolves around holding Joy-Cons (safely!) while performing guided punching routines, with the option of securing them to your wrists for safety (and your TV’s protection).
Your default trainer, Lin, enthusiastically leads you through warm-ups, exercises, and cooldown stretches. The punching mechanics, though easy to follow, aren’t overly nuanced; you’ll earn “perfect” scores even if you improvise punch types.
This design keeps workouts accessible but may leave purists wanting more precision. Ultimately, the focus is on delivering an aerobic workout, not honing perfect boxing technique.
Modes and Customisation
The main Daily Exercise mode is the heart of the game, letting you customise workout intensity, duration, and targeted muscle groups. Three-speed settings serve as difficulty levels, and your progress is tracked via scores, time, and estimated calories burned.
Additional modes, such as Sit Fit Boxing for seated routines and Mitt Drills for freeform punching, add a little bit of variety. However, the calorie counter is an estimate at best, and the lack of feedback on the punching form may frustrate players seeking a more serious training tool.
Strengths and Limitations
As an exercise game, Fitness Boxing 3 does well in keeping cardio workouts engaging. The routines are fast-paced, and punching in rhythm to onscreen prompts can make time fly—a rarity in fitness programs. Yet, the game’s simplified mechanics and limited tracking of form mean it’s not a substitute for real boxing training.
If your goal is to improve your stance, punching technique, or footwork, Lin won’t be able to help. Instead, think of Fitness Boxing 3 as a gateway to fitness rather than the ultimate workout solution. Believe me, if I can find a loophole in exercising, I will and this game makes it all too easy to do that.
On the technical side, the graphics and music are serviceable but unremarkable. The upbeat soundtrack won’t blow you away, but it avoids being grating. The Joy-Con motion tracking is reliable enough for scoring purposes, but it won’t distinguish between sloppy and proper punches.
Final Thoughts
Fitness Boxing 3: Your Personal Trainer offers an accessible and fun way to incorporate cardio into your routine. It’s ideal for gamers looking to get active or anyone seeking a low-pressure workout option to complement their existing program.
While it doesn’t provide the depth of real boxing training, it delivers on its promise of making exercise enjoyable. This does feel like it would be more suited to casual gamers or those looking for a more guided workout.
Whether you’ll stick with it long-term depends on your ability to stay engaged with the game’s limited variety. For a few weeks or months, though, Fitness Boxing 3 can be a great companion in your fitness journey. It might not transform you into a heavyweight champion, but it could help you take the first step toward a healthier lifestyle.
THREE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Great entry level into fitness, Can be done anywhere your switch can go
Lowlights: Soundtrack is basic, Graphics feel relatively dated
Developer: Nintendo of America
Publisher: Nintendo of America
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Available: Now
Review conducted on Nintendo Switch with a review code provided by the publisher.
