WE OFTEN ASSOCIATE videogames with lethargy—a group of snackers sitting around a screen. But a recent study published in the European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education indicates that gamification can help people combat a sedentary lifestyle. 

Enter: so-called “Exergames,” a portmanteau of “exercise games,” which make movement part of the play, so that even working out can be fun. Some titles of the genre can be played on your phone, great for novice gamers who aren’t ready to invest in a gaming console. The best, however, usually require controllers that can track motion—as with the Nintendo Switch and Sony PlayStation 5.