Does the motion-sensing Pilates ring really deliver results? Let's take a look.
DISCLAIMER: This article is not intended to give medical advice or counsel.
"Ride With Rose" is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
This review was written independently and is not sponsored or paid for by Nintendo.
Ring Fit Adventure is Nintendo's newest installment in their innovative series of exercise games. Whether you're the competitive type or more of a solo gamer, the Ring Fit bundle claims to offer something for everyone. It's no secret that Nintendo games are addictively fun, but does this motion-sensing Pilates ring ACTUALLY provide an effective workout? I've been dying to find out, so let's take a look to determine whether the Ring Fit Adventure Bundle is worth investing in.
What's in the Bundle?
Ring Fit Adventure is compatible with the Nintendo Switch (and, technically, the Switch Lite, but we'll talk about that distinction later in this article.)
The bundle itself includes the Ring-Con™ and a leg strap, both of which measure your real-world actions and convert them into in-game movements. The movements required to complete game levels are definitely based on real-life exercises such as shoulder presses, squats, jogging in place, and other low-impact movements. You don't need a game pad or camera, since the motion-sensing Joy-Con controllers track your movements.
The Ring Fit Adventure Game itself is also included in the bundle. In addition to the 100+ level "adventure mode," there are also plenty of mini games and customizable exercise routines. If you're really curious to see some of the gameplay, XCageGame offers a peek on their YouTube channel. As a rhythm game enthusiast, I was happy to see some music-based gameplay included as well. Maybe in the future we'll see more downloadable content available, but the basic bundle offers enough of games and exercises to keep you busy for quite a while.
Don't forget, you'll still need a Nintendo Switch or Switch Lite game system and corresponding Joy-Con controllers to actually play along.
Is it REALLY a Good Workout?
According to Nintendo's official website, the Ring Fit Adventure game utilizes over 60 types of exercises. The game's fitness activities were developed in part by personal trainer Kaoru Matsui and yoga instructor Mika Saiki.
Each exercise level is playable on 1-to-30 intensity scale, so you can adjust the number of reps and the duration of holding certain poses to accommodate your own personal level of comfort. I'm a firm believer in stretching before my workouts, so I love that the game also offers pre and post-exercise guided stretch sessions.
The Ring Fit Adventure offers a full body workout that includes muscle-building, balance training, cardio, and yoga exercises. It's entirely possible you'll also lose weight using the Ring Fit Adventure, but like with any exercise routine, your results are going to depend on a variety of factors. Proper nutrition and hydration are the keys to a healthy body, and healthy bodies come in a variety of sizes. I'm very much of the opinion that fitness should be a pursuit of strength and confidence, but if you're bound and determined to burn body fat, the Ring Fit offers a fantastic aerobic workout for anyone who wants to work up a sweat while tracking their results.
Nintendo DOES recommend consulting a doctor or fitness professional if you have concerns or questions about starting a new fitness regimen, and I think that's especially wise if you're someone who's recently sustained an injury or undergone surgery.
Accessibility
In terms of accessibility, it's also possible to play certain portions of Ring Fit Adventure with the traditional button controls. LauraKBuzz has a fantastic review that addresses the game's accessibility to people who have limited movement.
The Joy-Con leg straps are made to fit thighs ranging from 13 to 27 inches (or, 34 to 70cm.) As someone who comes from a proud line of thick-thighed women, I'm definitely disappointed that there aren't more size options. Unfortunately, it doesn't look as if strap expanders are available, so it might take some extra work and ingenuity to adapt the leg strap to fit.
Does it ONLY work with the Switch?
The Ring Fit Adventure bundle is really only marketed as being compatible with the classic Switch, but you CAN adapt a Switch Lite to (sort of) work with the Ring-Con™. You'll still need two additional Joy-Con controllers and a way to prop up your Switch Lite, but it's definitely do-able. It's not an ideal set-up, since the small game screen makes it difficult to follow the on-screen workout cues, but it CAN be done.
Cost Analysis
The Ring Fit Adventure Bundle doesn't exactly come cheap. The ring, game, and straps generally run from approximately $70-$80 new, although there are slightly less expensive refurbished models out there, if you don't mind shopping around. A second pair of Joy-Con controllers (which you'll need if you're using the game with a Switch Lite or just want a backup set in case the controllers get dropped or damaged) will also cost around $80, and if you don't have a Nintendo Switch, you're looking at dropping another $300, give or take. Please note that these prices are subject to change and might not include taxes, shipping costs, etc.
So, yeah. If you're building this set from the ground up, you're probably looking at spending approximately $400, which is by no means a small investment. I'll admit, I received my Switch Lite as a wedding gift from a dear friend, and knowing that I could pick up a cheap Pilates ring at Five Below for under $10 had me wondering whether or not the Ring Fit Adventure bundle would be worth the money. It's a great product, but I wish it were financially accessible to more people.
Comparable to a fitness club membership or personal trainer, the Ring Fit Adventure bundle has a lot to offer, and Nintendo is well-known for producing incredibly high-quality products. Still, if the bundle and game system don't fit into your budget, I'd suggest keeping an eye on the used game market. More likely than not, the price WILL eventually drop, but there's no telling when or how much.
Back in the day, I think GameStop would have had a "try before you buy" demo station for a product like this, but at least where I live, that hasn't been an option. If you're JUST interested in the ring, I'd suggest grabbing a cheap Pilates ring and following one of the MANY free, guided workouts on YouTube.
Reception
I was thrilled to see that the Ring Fit Adventure received glowing reviews from people of all ages. Kids, seniors, and adults who don't consider themselves to be "gamers" have given the game glowing reviews. I was especially excited to hear stories from people who have an incredibly difficult time motivating themselves to go to the gym or even work out at home. Mainstream fitness culture is built around the idea that you have to sweat, suffer, and punish yourself to get a proper work out, so hats off to Nintendo for offering an engaging, positive alternative to grinding through hours of mind-numbing reps at the gym.
Finding a fitness routine that I ACTUALLY enjoy doing has been life changing for me. Long before I saw any physical changes in myself, I started noticing that my confidence and self-image were miles ahead of where they had been before I started working out. Being able to work out at home has also helped me manage nearly all of my ADHD symptoms without the anxiety and sensory overload of going to a public gym. I love having games and activities that occupy my mind while I'm working out, and I know for a fact that having the option to play games while I'm moving is what keeps me motivated to stick to my routine.
Final Verdict
Without a doubt, the Ring Fit Adventure game is my favorite fitness-related product Nintendo has rolled out since the Pokewalker Pedometer. Still, I'd love to see more classic Nintendo games adapted to work with the Ring-Con™ controller. The Legend of Zelda, Pokemon, and Super Mario series feel like obvious choices. I'm 100% certain that if I had the option to play Breath of the Wild on the Ring-Con™, you'd have to pry the controller out of my sweaty, grubby little fingers to take me away from virtually trapsing through the fields of Hyrule. Sadly, it's unlikely the two games will be compatible, but a girl can still dream.
If you've had any experience (positive OR negative) with the Ring Fit Adventure, I'd love to hear what you think. As always, be kind, love yourself, and have a fantastic day.
:)
Comments