With the new year comes the opportunity to set new goals for yourself and to explore new things! For many people, this includes a dedication to fitness and health routines. Gyms, however, can be crowded and overwhelming for some (and also lacking in fun and imagination). As one who has struggled getting started and/or maintaining a flow when it comes to this sort of thing, I come bearing a variety of fantasy, science-fiction, and generally geeky fitness ideas for you to try!
Books
Dungeons and Workouts: From Weak and Meek to Buff and Tough by Gino Singh is a tome that I have personally tried and found interesting. As you read, you are given exercises to do that correspond to events happening in the story. The exercises are drawn to show the movements and form to properly execute them. There are modifications available for more inexperienced exercisers, too. None of the exercises require gym equipment. There is also a character sheet in the back for you to track your level progress (which can increase the difficulty of exercises or change the parameters for a boss battle). I would read the chapters and make note of the exercises to do and then use those exercises as part of my workout for the day. There are lots of different ways to use the book. There are even some recipes included!
Star Trek: Body by Starfleet, A Fitness Guide by Robb Pearlman is a neat book for science fiction fans. I liked that the book gives some general sweeping health advice prior to the exercise portions, advising basic stuff like to see a doctor for check-ups and to eat well. The descriptions for the exercises, which come accompanied by illustrations, are funny, combining the movements with Star Trek lore and bits of storytelling. There isn’t an overall plot to be found here and there aren’t any routines provided, but there are a lot of exercises that you can do to plan your own workouts. This book is also self-contained in that the majority of exercises just require you and your body weight. You can track what exercises you do in the Captain’s Log in the back, which is a nice option for people that don’t use digital fitness trackers.
If you want to try to embody your favorite sword-wielding samurai warrior, there are also books like Forza The Samurai Sword Workout: Kick Butt and Get Buff with High-Intensity Sword Fighting Moves by Ilaria Montagnani. I have been told this is more for entertainment and activity than it is about the actual formal practice of sword fighting. If you’re a trained samurai, pass on this one, but if you’re a noob looking for something to shake up your exercise regime, check it out.
Websites
Darebee is one of my favorite websites to find a variety of free themed workouts. They have collections based on anime shows, video games, role playing games, and more. The exercizes may not make you feel like you’re in another world while doing them, but it’s kind of inspiring to work out with a routine influenced by things you enjoy.
There are also a variety of small publications across the internet that might be worth researching. One recommended to me was this Strollplaying game (which is an awesome name on its own). You purchase and print the downloads and complete them while you walk/stroll. It’s a good concept, and supporting small businesses is a power move on its own! You can check that out here:
In a similar vein, audio distribution platform Bandcamp has a “Workout Adventure Series” which aims to transport you into another world while exercising. Different tracks focus on different exercises based on different fantasy role playing classes. I listened to the first episode, Monk’s Quest, which sets the stage for the adventures to be had. The beginning of the track details what sorts of exercises you’ll be doing and what (if any) materials you will need, including space/environment suggestions. The story itself is detailed and plays upbeat music while you go through different exercises. They also have you carry a six-sided die with you for you to randomize how many repetitions of some exercises you’ll do. There’s a lot of fun to be had listening to these and trying them out.
Lastly, Fitness Nerd Online is a website I can recommend personally. I can also recommend the Facebook group Fitness Nerds, which has become an amazingly supportive and encouraging community for me to engage with. They have a lot of events you can participate in, there’s a lot of great resources, and there is SO MUCH support and genuine, sincere kindness to be found. Some people post workout ideas/routines, others have linked their exercise playlists, more share their journeys and progress, and there’s a ton of inspiration/motivation shared.
Apps
Developer Six to Start gives us three different (but equally intriguing) ideas to get people walking/running with their iOS and Android app ZRX. First up is Zombies, Run!, where you take an active role in the survival of humanity during the zombie apocalypse. As a Runner, you are tasked with exploring areas and retrieving items necessary for settlements to continue. One of the neatest things about this app is that during the running portions you'll hear zombie growls and groans, like the undead are actually at your heels.
If Zombies aren’t really your thing, the app also has Marvel Move, which offers several different series based on the super hero of your choosing. I booted up “Thor & Loki’s 5K Training” and had an interesting experience. I do like that they tell you before you start what the workout entails, including the length of time it will take to complete, and the amount of walking vs running.
The third aspect, Venture, features short stories pulled from various genres like horror, science fiction, and fantasy. However, I was frustrated with this portion of the app. The first episode/chapter of Sorcerer’s Realm (one of the fantasy stories) was free, so I tried that with the expectation that it would give me enough content to really try out the story (like with other portions of the app), but after about a minute of ads for the full subscription and about another minute-and-a-half of content, it was over and the rest was paywalled. Overall, the app is worth checking out and might very well be worth your while if you’re wanting to get into running more.
If you’re looking for something less plot-heavy, two apps I would absolutely recommend are Pokemon Go and Pikmin Bloom, both developed and produced by Niantic and available for Android and iOS. It’s fun, as a gamer, to see Pokemon in the “wild” on the map outside my house, or to walk to get items for little Pikmin buddies. These games motivate people to get out and explore their surroundings a bit, which is great. I love that they’re able to lend an element of fantasy to the everyday world. Reality needs a little spicing up sometimes.
Finally, Fantasy Hike (iOS) is a free app (with subscription options) that is a Lord of the Rings-inspired take on digital races and walking trackers. In this app, you are on a quest to make it to “Mount Fire” (Mount Doom) while Mr. Underhill (Frodo) also treks across the landscape. On the map, you can see your progress/where you are vs. where Frodo is; you can also see whether is resting or walking. The free version only lets you log one mile per day, but it keeps consistent track of your progress to see how many miles you have left before you make it to your destination. (Don’t feel too left out, Android users: There’s a very similar app available on your devices called Walk Middle Earth.)
Virtual Reality Video Games
Available on Meta Quest, PlayStation VR, and Steam, Beat Saber is one of the best workouts I manage to get while jamming out to music. Using laser sabers, you slice blocks to music, and it is really fun. Although it doesn’t have any sort of fitness tracking built in, I use my smart watch and am able to track time spent and calories burnt that way. If you want an extra little challenge, try wearing wrist weights while playing, and/or I strap on my weighted vest and it helps with adding a bit of resistance.
BoxVR (Meta Quest, PlayStation VR, Steam), is a good game that I have played of as well. Definitely more structured to be an exercise game, it offers routines/timed workouts and also has an estimated calorie burn display. However, putting yourself (virtually) in a variety of environments really adds to the element of immersion that transports you somewhere else.
In conclusion, there are a lot of different ways to make exercise and movement a little more interesting and engaging than traditional gym workouts. Adding a bit of science fiction and/or fantasy into the equation can shake things up. I hope some of these options are helpful to you, wherever you are on your journey!
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