Turn Up the Heat: 5 Indoor Group Fitness Games to Keep Classes Excitin

When winter hits and outdoor workouts become less appealing, keeping group fitness classes exciting indoors can feel like a challenge. The solution? Turn up the heat with some fun and effective group fitness games designed for indoor spaces! These games are perfect for building camaraderie, boosting motivation, and, of course, getting everyone’s blood pumping. Whether you're working with limited room or a more spacious studio, these creative ideas—featuring BoardGains and more—are sure to keep your classes lively.

In this post, we’ll explore five indoor-friendly fitness games that instructors can use to beat the cold and bring the energy back to every session. Plus, I’ll share tips for setting up these games even in smaller spaces so no one feels cramped or uncomfortable. Ready to heat things up? Let’s dive in!

1. BoardGains: Fitness, Gamified!

BoardGains is a versatile, interactive fitness board game that turns a typical workout into a friendly competition. Perfect for any fitness level, it combines a variety of exercises with a gaming format that keeps participants engaged and motivated.

How to Play BoardGains:

Set Up: Place the BoardGains game board in the center of your space. Divide your class into small teams, ideally 3-5 people per group.
Gameplay: Each team takes turns rolling dice and moving their game pieces around the board. Each square corresponds to a different exercise or challenge, which players complete before passing the dice to the next team.
Goal: Teams compete to make it around the board or achieve a specific milestone, like completing a set number of laps.

Tips for Small Spaces:

Use mats to define team areas, ensuring no one’s personal space gets invaded.
Modify high-movement exercises for confined spaces. For example, swap burpees for squats or planks.
Encourage teams to perform their exercises in sync to create a visually cohesive (and safe) environment.

Why It Works:
BoardGains is incredibly flexible, making it suitable for participants of different fitness levels. The game’s variety keeps everyone excited to see what’s next, and the competitive aspect motivates people to push a little harder.

2. Relay Races with a Twist

Who says you need a big field for a relay race? Indoor relay races can be just as fun, and adding fitness elements like squats, lunges, or jumping jacks makes them a great workout option.

How to Set Up:

Divide the class into teams of 3-4 people.
Set up stations with a simple task at each (e.g., 10 jumping jacks, 15 squats, 5 push-ups).
Participants must complete their station exercise before “tagging” the next teammate to start their station.

Tips for Small Spaces:

Arrange stations along the perimeter of your room to maximize open space in the center.
Replace running between stations with low-impact options, like lunges or walking high-knees.
Limit each team to one lap per race to keep things moving quickly.

Why It Works:
Relay races add a sense of urgency and teamwork that boosts energy. They also allow for customizations, so instructors can choose exercises that fit the group’s fitness level and room size.

3. Fitness Bingo

Fitness Bingo combines exercise with a classic game format that everyone knows and loves. This game is particularly effective for small groups and can be tailored to any workout theme.

How to Play:

Give each participant a Bingo card with various exercises listed on it (e.g., “5 push-ups,” “20-second plank,” “10 squats”).
Call out exercises randomly. When someone completes an exercise, they mark it off on their card.
The first to complete a row, column, or diagonal yells “Bingo!” and wins.

Tips for Small Spaces:

Use low-movement exercises that don’t require much room, like core work or arm exercises.
Encourage participants to work on mats or designated spots to minimize crowding.
Adjust exercises to ensure they’re quiet and gentle for indoor environments—think planks, crunches, or seated stretches instead of jumps.

Why It Works:
Bingo is a fun, low-pressure game that builds excitement without adding too much intensity. Plus, it’s a flexible option that’s easy to adapt to smaller spaces or quieter environments.

4. Circuit Roulette

Circuit Roulette is a high-energy game that combines the unpredictability of a roulette wheel with the fun of circuit training. This game is ideal for groups that like variety in their workouts.

How to Play:

Create a “roulette wheel” using a spinner app or a physical wheel with exercises written on it.
Divide participants into small groups and have each group take turns spinning the wheel.
Each group performs the exercise where the spinner lands for 30-60 seconds before passing the wheel to the next group.

Tips for Small Spaces:

Opt for stationary exercises to prevent crowding.
Use equipment sparingly to avoid taking up too much room.
Allow each group to perform their exercises on a mat or designated area.

Why It Works:
The element of chance makes Circuit Roulette exciting, and it keeps participants guessing what they’ll be doing next. It’s also easy to scale intensity based on the fitness level of your class.

5. Tabata Team Challenge

Tabata training, a form of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), is highly effective indoors, even in small spaces. By turning it into a team challenge, you add an element of camaraderie and friendly competition.

How to Play:

Split participants into teams and assign a series of exercises (like squats, burpees, or planks) to each team.
Set a timer for 20 seconds on, 10 seconds off, and repeat for 4 minutes per exercise.
Teams compete to see who can complete the most reps in each interval.

Tips for Small Spaces:

Keep exercises simple and stationary, avoiding large or dynamic movements.
Use visual markers like cones or tape to give each team a defined area.
Encourage quiet, low-impact moves if noise or space is a concern.

Why It Works:
Tabata intervals are short but intense, allowing participants to work hard without taking up much room. The team format also builds group cohesion and keeps motivation high.

Final Thoughts

When it’s chilly outside, group fitness doesn’t have to cool down! These indoor-friendly games add warmth, excitement, and engagement to your classes, whether you're teaching in a compact studio or a larger gym space. By incorporating options like BoardGains, Fitness Bingo, and Circuit Roulette, you’ll keep everyone moving and motivated, no matter the weather.

Don’t let limited space or cold temperatures stop your class from having a blast. With a bit of creativity and some fun setups, these indoor fitness games will keep your participants sweating, smiling, and coming back for more. Try them out and watch your classes come to life—even in the dead of winter!

FAQs

Q: Can these games be modified for different fitness levels?
A: Absolutely! Each game is flexible and can be adapted to match your class's fitness level. For example, BoardGains allows you to swap exercises as needed.

Q: Do I need special equipment for these games?
A: Most of these games require minimal equipment. For BoardGains, you'll need the game board, while other games only need basic items like mats, cones, or a timer.

Q: How do I keep my class safe in small spaces?
A: Define individual areas with mats or markers, choose exercises that don’t require a lot of movement, and make sure everyone is aware of their surroundings.

Q: Are these games appropriate for kids or teens?
A: Yes! Many of these games can be easily adapted for younger age groups by using age-appropriate exercises and reducing intensity.