Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Best gaming gadgets
  • New Games 2026
  • Arc Raiders
  • Summer Game Fest 2026 schedule
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. Simulation
  3. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Get fit with our Animal Crossing New Horizons group stretching guide

Guides
By Louise Blain published 4 November 2021

How to join your villagers in the plaza for some exercise

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Animal Crossing New Horizons Group Stretching Guide - stretching in the plaza
(Image credit: Nintendo)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Animal Crossing: New Horizons group stretching guide isn’t really a sentence we ever thought we’d be writing but here we are. The enormous Animal Crossing New Horizons update 2.0 means that there are all kinds of new additions to your island. One of which is a boombox sitting outside Residential Services in the morning that means you can do some exercise with your villagers. 

Yes, it’s just as adorable as it sounds and it means you won’t feel left out when Tangy and co are doing their tai chi without you. There’s no instant unlock of items, but there is a feeling like you’ve used your arms and a general sense of fuzzy wellbeing after some shared Animal Crossing: New Horizons activities. 

Those who are Nook Mile and stamp inclined though will be happy to see that there’s a new 'Stretch to Refresh' section of your Rewards screen. For the first stamp, you’ll need to stretch once a day for three days. There are 5 stamps in total here so we’re guessing it’s just going to be a case of adding this to your daily activities. As Tom Nook says “the health of our residents is a top priority.”  

Latest Videos From
You may like
  • A player character sat surrounded by books in a cozy room in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Animal Crossing: New Horizons update ensures Timmy and Tommy never let you out of their sight again, stops fence cloning
  • Animal Crossing: New Horizons Animal Crossing: New Horizons update fixes a bunch of bugs and DLC issues – but most importantly, adds a special gift
  • Photo of the original Switch box of New Horizons with a pair of Switch 2 Joy-Con sitting on top. Woot has dropped the Animal Crossing New Horizons Switch 2 Edition to a record low at the most perfect time

A random selection of villagers will join you for each session. Timmy and Tommy get in on the action, as do Isabelle, Wilbur, and the Able Sisters so it’s a lovely way to see everyone out and about doing something new. It’s not exactly Ring Fit Adventure but here’s everything you need to know about getting active with your Animal Crossing villagers.

How to start Animal Crossing: New Horizons Group Stretching

Animal Crossing New Horizons Group Stretching Guide

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Starting your Animal Crossing morning stretches is easy. Head to the tape deck in the plaza and hit the option for ‘Let’s stretch.’ There are two different ways to stretch and it all depends on how active you are feeling and what kind of controller you’re playing with. You’ll need to be playing with JoyCons if you want to physically follow along with your island inhabitants. Every time you load it up, you get to choose so if you just feel like exercising your thumbs, you aren’t agreeing to a lifetime of a sedentary existence. 

Using motion controls in Animal Crossing: New Horizons Group Stretching

Animal Crossing New Horizons Group Stretching Guide

(Image credit: Nintendo)

If you’re feeling active, it’s just a matter of selecting motion control, holding a JoyCon in each hand and waiting for the exercise to start. The on screen instructions will then let you know what to do with your arms. While it is technically possible to do this sitting down, for the best experience and for when the game wants you to jump, standing is best for peak performance. 

Follow along with the on screen instructions and try to keep in time with the rest of your villagers but of course there’s no punishment if you don’t. You’ll stretch to the ceiling, down to your toes and even do some jumping jacks and the whole experience is pretty short and sweet. 

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Using button prompts in Animal Crossing: New Horizons Group Stretching

Animal Crossing New Horizons Group Stretching Guide

(Image credit: Nintendo)

If you’re using a Pro controller or potentially don’t want to get out of bed, you can just choose to do your exercises with button controls. Once again, all you need to do is wait for the music to start and then spin the analogue sticks or press the buttons in time with the music. We’re going to be honest, we found it a lot easier to press the buttons in time with the music for peak syncing with the rest of the villagers but obviously you don’t get that nice tingling you get from actual exercise. As ever though, with Animal Crossing, the choice is very much up to you and no one judges you for it. 

Animal Crossing: New Horizons tips | Animal Crossing: New Horizons fish guide | Animal Crossing: New Horizons bugs guide | Animal Crossing: New Horizons amiibo support explained | Animal Crossing Sanrio amiibo cards and items | Animal Crossing: New Horizons flowers guide | Animal Crossing: New Horizons sea creatures guide | How to improve your Animal Crossing: New Horizons island rating | Upcoming Animal Crossing: New Horizons events | Animal Crossing: New Horizons turnips | KK Slider secret songs in Animal Crossing | Animal Crossing: New Horizons golden tools | Animal Crossing: New Horizons secrets 

Louise Blain
Louise Blain
Social Links Navigation
Freelance Writer

Louise Blain is a journalist and broadcaster specialising in gaming, technology, and entertainment. She is the presenter of BBC Radio 3’s monthly Sound of Gaming show and has a weekly consumer tech slot on BBC Radio Scotland. She can also be found on BBC Radio 4, BBC Five Live, Netflix UK's YouTube Channel, and on The Evolution of Horror podcast. As well as her work on GamesRadar, Louise writes for NME, T3, and TechRadar. When she’s not working, you can probably find her watching horror movies or playing an Assassin’s Creed game and getting distracted by Photo Mode.

Read more
A player character sat surrounded by books in a cozy room in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Animal Crossing Animal Crossing: New Horizons update ensures Timmy and Tommy never let you out of their sight again, stops fence cloning
 
 
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing Animal Crossing: New Horizons update fixes a bunch of bugs and DLC issues – but most importantly, adds a special gift
 
 
Photo of the original Switch box of New Horizons with a pair of Switch 2 Joy-Con sitting on top.
Animal Crossing Woot has dropped the Animal Crossing New Horizons Switch 2 Edition to a record low at the most perfect time
 
 
Animal Crossing characters look up at the moon
Animal Crossing Animal Crossing helped me process grief, and I'm not alone: "Visiting her island has brought me a lot of peace"
 
 
a ditto human sitting on some logs with pikachu and pichu
Pokemon Pokopia's unhinged dialogue is tempting me away from Animal Crossing: "It's a pretty nice butt, don't you think?"
 
 
A player runs towards the Pokemon Pokopia release time
Pokemon Pokemon Pokopia fan creates Cloud Island you can use to get the cozy game's rarest goodies, Animal Crossing-style
 
 
Latest in Simulation
A Stardew Valley character
Simulation Games Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone walks back talk of infidelity in the farming sim: "Not going to actually do this"
 
 
Roll an Anime codes
Simulation Games Roll an Anime codes (May 2026) and how to redeem them for a free character plus boosts
 
 
Haunted Chocolatier character jumping over bridge over a river
Simulation Games Haunted Chocolatier's "way bigger than Stardew Valley" says ConcernedApe: "Everything is cranked up"
 
 
A Stardew Valley character
Simulation Games Stardew Valley dev says his games will always be AI-free because people "should take priority over a soulless machine"
 
 
A Stardew Valley character
Simulation Games ConcernedApe says future Stardew Valley update might let you cheat on your spouse
 
 
Catch and Cook codes
Simulation Games Catch and Cook codes (May 2026) and how to redeem them for free Enchant Spins
 
 
Latest in Guides
The Subnautica 2 tadpole with a chassis attached
Survival Games How to get a Subnautica 2 tadpole and the tadpole pens key code
 
 
A Subnautica 2 cross platform save has been successful.
Survival Games Subnautica 2 cross platform saves
 
 
A chunk of Lead in Subnautica 2
Survival Games Where to find Lead in Subnautica 2
 
 
A cluster of stilt orbs with Necrolei Cysts atop them in Subnautica 2
Survival Games Where to find Necrolei Cysts in Subnautica 2
 
 
The Rebreather in Subnautica 2
Survival Games Rebreather location in Subnautica 2
 
 
Anime Apocalypse codes
RPGs Anime Apocalypse codes (May 2026) and how to redeem them for free rerolls, spins, and more
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Lego Helm's Deep with minifigures fighting on the battlements, with a blurred shot of the valley behind
    1
    Now we're getting Lego Minas Tirith, which Lord of the Rings set will be next?
  2. 2
    Lanterns will be the first story on the DCU timeline thanks to a flashback storyline in 2016
  3. 3
    How to get a Subnautica 2 tadpole and the tadpole pens key code
  4. 4
    After 5 years in early access, one of Steam's best-rated shooters goes on sale one last time before a price increase
  5. 5
    Forza Horizon 6 immediately beats its predecessor's all-time Steam record with over 130,000 concurrent players

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...