Gains Gaming
Gains Gaming is a gaming alternative style which incorporates working out and gaming. Every time the player dies, they perform reps of an exercise (you get to choose the exercise). For instance, I am currently playing Death's Door, a fun game by Acid Nerve (they also created titan souls). Every time I die, I do some type exercise, be it: 10 push-ups, 10 sit-ups, 10 pull-ups (or attempt to)..etc. With Gains Gaming, there is no true loss because even though you lose, through "Gains Gaming", you gain. Like the video game characters we play as, we must continue to become stronger to face any challenge we meet.
Stuck on a boss, every time you lose, do some exercise. Gamers may feel intense stress when gaming, especially when losing and not doing well, leading to feelings of hopelessness, stress and/or futility which may cause your body to release cortisol into your blood stream. How many times have you said to yourself, "Ugh, I don’t know if I can beat this boss."
Gains Gaming seeks to incorporate healthy physical activity into gaming. We know that exercise is proven to improve one's mood via a release of endorphins. Physical activity may also assist in improving your mood, and acumen leading to out-of-the-box thinking which may be just the tool you need to vanquish the foe or foes impeding your progress.
Want to try? All you have to do is, commit to performing exercise after each player death. Start off small, 10 push-ups, 10 sit-ups, and try to incorporate other exercises if you get bored of push-ups or sit-ups. In the past, I've incorporated an ab-wheel, resistance bands, and dumb bells. Body weight is always a good weight to use for exercise.
Games I've tried Gains Gaming with:
God of War
Sekiro Shadows Die Twice
Far Cry 6
Deaths Door
Gains Gaming works well with single-player games where a player can die in the game world. You can also incorporate Gains Gaming into all other gaming genres. Playing multi-player games or fighting games? But how Sway? Did you just lose your match? Do some push-ups. Did you fail to break into the top 10 of the death match? Do some sit-ups. Did you just lose your run in a rouge-like/lite? Do some burpees.
If you're like me, sometimes you struggle to work-out. Gains Gaming incorporates working out and gaming, to not only better yourself as a gamer but as a person.
Enjoy Gains Gaming and please share the game you're played and the exercise you're doing per death with the tag #gainsgaming. Together we can have fun working out and gaming.