Stealth Workouts
After Wii Fit exploded, lots of other exercise games flooded the market like EA Sports Active and Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2009. Older titles like Yourself Fitness may have paved the way, but it was Nintendo's juggernaut that really helped launch a popular new sub-genre with even more games on the way. The only thing is, playing something like Wii Fit is actually like working out. Oh, sure, there's the Balance Games, but they're hardly taxing. What you need are games that are fun to play, but also burn calories without you noticing.
Everyone knows that Dance Dance Revolution is probably the best example of that kind of game, having been used for years by gamers hoping to shed a few pounds. Heck, it even found its way into some schools as an alternative exercise program. But there have to be more, right? I've already found a couple on the Wii, which is the perfect home to stealth exercise games with its motion control scheme.
We Cheer surprised me with how difficult it was to get the moves down at first, but once I got the hang of the somewhat janky motion controls, I had a blast. But even in the beginning, as determined as I was to get the choreography down and pass the song, I would end up doing the routine over and over again so often I found myself dripping in sweat. It might look crazy to be flailing your arms around like that, but it turns out that it's quite the upper body workout! The other game that really surprised me was Boogie Superstar. Don't laugh, I bought it for the bf because it had Jonas Brothers songs in it, and it was only $7. The singing is crap, but even the relatively simple moves in the dance sections are enough to work up a sweat if you do it long enough.
Sure, Wii Fit helped me drop some weight, and actual exercise has helped me lose more and keep it all off, but sometimes I feel like I would rather play a videogame. So games that distract you with fun and entertaining gameplay while secretly burning calories are perfect for that. Does anyone else have more suggestions on Wii games that actually make you sweat? (And don't bother with DDR, because that makes my flat screen wobble precariously, so I had to take a hiatus from that franchise!) Let me know!
Wootini
Posted to Video Games on 25 June 2009
· Comments (5)
Other stuff like this: ddr, ea sports active, fitness, jillian michaels' fitness ultimatum 2009, nintendo, wii, wii fit, workout
Post another picture ._.
Drumming in Rock Band/GH does a good job of working the arms, natch; I've had to cut quite a few sessions short because of sore arms and sweat.
You definitely notice that in EA Sports Active you are working out, but you do burn the calories there. I've been consistently working up a sweat in each session, which is GREAT.
But if you're looking for a game first, and healthy activity second, you'd probably have to go for DDR. It is pretty boring once you've gone through as much as you can, but go back to it.
Also, I'd have to agree with drumming, if you build up the skill (or even if you don't and try it on no fail), I end up having to take my shirt off after a couple of songs because it's pretty exerting.
I don't know of much else, but I'd love to hear, since I'd love to turn my casual gamerness into a fitness routine.
I would suggest Samba de Amigo. Great workout, especially at the higher levels. The controls are spot on (stab in the direction instead of point and shake and you'll hit every beat :] ) and the new music is great.
If you like techno... Helix. I pop it in whenever I feel like going to a gay bar and have no money/time/friends to go with.