Let’s face it. Going to the gym is hard. It takes a lot of willpower just to even get yourself to the gym, let alone finish a workout. And these days, it’s tough to tell whether it’s even safe.
But there is a way to get ripped without ever leaving your home. Virtually ripped that is. With gym simulator games, you can make a virtual visit to the gym and pump iron to your heart’s content.
Now we’re definitely not saying that gym simulator games are a viable alternative to actual physical activity. But now that we’re spending more time at home, it might be interesting to explore places that you can’t actually visit right now.
Gym Simulator RPG—For the gym rats who miss their routine
One virtual gym option is Gym Simulator RPG on Steam. This game mimics many of the interactions you’d find in a typical gym setting.
For those who aren’t huge gamers, RPG stands for “role playing game.” These games are meant to simulate an entire world and encourage the user to play a role in that world. Gym Simulator RPG uses a first-person point of view to immerse you in that world even further.
So whether you prefer lifting barbells, running on the treadmill, doing squats, or even beating up a punching bag, this game has you covered. It even goes as far as allowing you to interact with other gym patrons and have realistic conversations.
If impressing the ladies is more your style, this game has that covered too. We won’t go into too much detail, but let’s just say that if you want to focus on women over weights, that’s your prerogative.
Much like any other game, Gym Simulator offers different levels and challenges you must overcome. If you’ve always wanted to get big and buff but just can’t quite push your own body to the limit, maybe you’ll be able to get your virtual gym bod to your ideal shape.
A lot of the reviews on this game aren’t too positive, and the first-person perspective might take some time to get used to. But at just $1.99, this game might be worth a shot. It definitely won’t replace your typical gym experience, but it could provide you with some laughs along the way.
Idle Fitness Gym Tycoon — For the wannabe gym mogul
If you’re looking for a virtual gym experience that’s a little less realistic and a little more focused on actual gameplay, then Idle Fitness Gym Tycoon on Google Play and iOS might be right for you.
If you’ve ever played Farmville or RollerCoaster Tycoon, then this one will definitely feel familiar. Instead of building a homestead or a theme park, you’re building a fitness empire.
Unlike the previous game, this one isn’t meant to make you feel immersed in a virtual world. Instead, you are actually the one creating that world. You get to decide what happens and make decisions like an actual business owner.
Idle Fitness Gym Tycoon lets you build from the ground up. Start small and build your world up just how you like it. You don’t have to stop at just a basic gym, either. You can add in studios for pilates, yoga, spin, and so much more.
You get to make decisions based on what you like, but also what your virtual customers like. If they’re not happy with the number of treadmills or updates in the locker room, your profits will suffer accordingly. Turns out virtual gym goers can be a pain in the neck too. But if you make the right choices and even enlist the help of some celebrity influencers, you can watch your fitness empire flourish.
The game is free to download, but you will have to watch some ads. The overall reviews for the game are positive, but they do mention that it can get repetitive after a while. In order to add new elements and progress further in the game, it seems you’ll need to fork over some money for in-app purchases.
Virtual Gym 3D — For the aspiring bodybuilder
If you want to just focus on lifting weights and getting as big as possible, then Virtual Gym 3D is the game for you. This gym simulator game mainly focuses on the weight room.
While it’s not exactly first person like the first game on our list, you do get a certain character that you use to navigate the virtual gym world. Based on the screenshots from the game, it looks like your main choice is a stereotypical meathead who lifts in ripped jeans.
Most of the game is focused on the gym, but there are some other aspects that allow you to explore the rest of this virtual world. You can go for a jog outside or even jump in a local pool to cool off.
One thing that’s different about this game is that it does focus on the nutrition aspect of fitness. There’s a protein shake bar in the virtual gym, so it shows the importance of a well-fueled diet in combination with exercise to help build muscle.
Based on the reviews, it seems like this game still has a few bugs to work out. But it’s a free download from the Google Play store, so it may be worth a try. You’ll at least get a kick out of the guy bulging out of his graphic muscle tee.
Even though you might not be able to go to the gym right now, you can still check out a virtual gym with these three gym simulator games.
Each one offers a different type of game play and a different type of world, so you should be able to find one that fits your needs. And with all of them under $5, none of them will break your budget.
We’re definitely living through some strange times right now, so maybe it’s time to try something new. Virtual gyms are definitely gaining popularity, so it’s worth seeing what all the hype is about.
