Author: Greg Lozano
This isn’t a review but rather my thoughts and experiences with Fitness Boxing 3 and how it fits into an active lifestyle.
Working out shouldn’t feel like a chore, yet many give up before experiencing the benefits. Some try running for its calorie burn, only to find it exhausting. Maybe running isn’t your thing. Perhaps swimming feels meditative, cycling brings exhilaration, or lifting weights fuels your drive. Whatever gets you into a flow state, the key is finding the right workout for you. Nintendo has been working on this concept for nearly two decades, helping people ease into fitness in enjoyable ways. Their latest attempt, Fitness Boxing 3, won’t make you a pro boxer, but it will get you moving and sweating if you’re looking for an engaging way to stay active.
A Fun Way to Move
Exercise should feel natural, not forced—and Fitness Boxing 3 delivers on that. Aside from my first week (when I overdid it and had sore muscles for days), I’ve managed to work out almost daily, generating a pool of sweat each session. Even compared to my usual mile-long runs, I haven’t sweat like this in years. The game offers workouts ranging from 8 minutes to over an hour, making it flexible for different fitness levels. There’s also an accessibility mode for sit-down boxing, punching mitt drills, and customizable routines to suit various needs.
Sure, you can flick the Joy-Cons for an easy high score, but that would defeat the purpose. This isn’t about leaderboard bragging rights—it’s about your fitness journey. While the game teaches basic boxing techniques like jabs, hooks, uppercuts, and evasive moves, it’s not meant to replace real-world training. You won’t learn to dodge punches realistically, but you will get a solid cardio workout.
The Biggest Letdown: The Music
One major frustration? The advertised 30-song soundtrack isn’t what you’d expect. Instead of a rhythm-based experience like DDR, the tracks are reduced to chiptune-style background music. As someone with a strong music game background, this was disappointing. A structured punching rhythm mode would have made this game even more engaging—maybe that’s an idea for Fitness Boxing 4.
Fitness Boxing 3 is a fun, accessible way to get moving, but it shouldn’t be your only workout. Think of it as a stepping stone toward finding what truly excites you about fitness. If time or space is limited, this game provides a solid cardio option, and it even supports two-player workouts. There are alternative versions, like Fist of the North Star (for anime fans) and Hatsune Miku (for Vocaloid lovers), offering variety.
For me, I’ll keep using it until I’m ready to add more strength training to my routine. If you’re looking for a way to start your fitness journey, I definitely recommend giving this game a try.