Part 30

Learn how to increase your Sim's Athletic skill in The Sims 3. Discover workouts, tones, and skill challenges to build strength and endurance.

The Athletic skill in The Sims 3 focuses on improving your Sim's fitness. As your Sim exercises, they will gain Athletic skill points. You can learn this skill through various methods: taking classes at the Stadium, using the free Gym, purchasing workout machines, jogging, working out with a Stereo or TV, swimming, and reading athletic skill books.

As you level up, you unlock new workout options called 'tones,' which affect how quickly you gain skill and how intensely you work out. There are two main workout types: Strength, which increases muscle mass, and Cardio, which reduces body fat. Higher Athletic skill levels allow your Sim to work out longer before becoming fatigued and improve their chances in fights.

Level Progression:

• Level 1: Sims can jog from place to place, which is slower than running but builds Athletic skill.
• Level 3: Sims gain the 'Pumped' moodlet from working out and can work out for slightly longer.
• Level 5: Sims run faster when traveling between locations.
• Level 6: Sims can train other Sims on exercise machines, helping them gain Athletic skill and lose weight faster.

Workout Tones:

• Normal Workout: The default tone.
• Don't Break a Sweat (Level 1): Gains the same skill points as normal but decreases hygiene decay, allowing for longer workouts.
• Good Pacing (Level 3): Allows Sims to work out longer before getting the 'Fatigued' moodlet, with normal skill gain and hygiene decay.
• Push Self (Level 5): Increases skill gain and weight loss speed but results in the 'Sore' moodlet the next day.
• Quick Burst (Level 7): Sacrifices hygiene and energy, causing 'Fatigue' and 'Sore' moodlets, but provides extremely fast skill gain.

Skill Challenges:

• Body Builder: Complete 60 hours of strength workouts to never get the 'Fatigue' moodlet after Strength Workouts.
• Fitness Nut: Complete 75 hours of cardio workouts to no longer get the 'Fatigued' moodlet after Cardio workouts.
• Marathon Runner: Run 500 kilometers (approx. 311 miles) to grant your Sim a longer life expectancy due to improved fitness.