Video games for excercise and weight loss

[dividend]

I was skeptical. I'm still a little skeptical.
But I tried the beginner EA Sports Active 2 workout last night, and I'm sore as heck today in my thighs and abs. It was 20 minutes of "circuit training" that included step aerobics and in-place running and jump rope and lots of squats and jumps and crunches and weights. I'm kind of sold on being able to get an actual work out from my Wii.

It uses sensors you wear on your right thigh and left forearm, plus there are some exercises where you hold the Wii-mote in your hand. It was pretty fun too. DBF did the more intense version, and he woke up groaning and moaning too. Neither of us are in great shape to start.

Anyone else using video games for exercise? I like EA Sports Active much better than Wii fit, which seemed more oriented towards yoga/balance type stuff.

[Malarky]

I'm waiting for the kinect to be delivered to go with the xbox. DD and I aren't likely to play any of the xbox warmonger games, but I can see us doing the dance party and zumba workouts. Even if it isn't a great workout, it beats sitting on the couch.
I have to say though, when I tried the rafting from KinectAdventures in Best Buy I not only looked like an idiot because I kept running into things, but I did quite a bit of twisting and turning.

[thyme4change]

When we left Best Buy my son said "I'm sweating from playing that game." I loved it - I am having trouble holding back - but I will buy that closer to summer.

[celticqueen]

I love my Wii Fit. I really like the variety of exercises on there - from aerobics to yoga to strength training. It's a lot of fun and a great workout. (Don't believe me, try doing the advanced hula hoop routine!) I was really good about using it for a while and then got out of the habit. I'm hoping to do better in the coming year.

We also have Just Dance, Just Dance 2 and now, Just Dance for Kids. My 4-year old loves dancing to all of them. They're a wonderful aerobic workout and really a lot of fun for the whole family. Just Dance 2 actually has a workout mode on it. I haven't tried that mode out yet. It's a great way to get some exercise without realizing that's what you're doing.

[wackyaunt]

I hate exercise, but I really enjoy the wii fit programs. I guess it is my competitive nature coming out tho...I love having the best ranking and/or beating a previous best. The ski jumping it took a while to get a hang of tho, I am probably lucky I didn't break a leg in the living room "skiing" LOL!

[Malarky]

I got in an extra 3000 steps this evening proving that I can't follow the direction of a dancing avatar on xbox. I a 12, DD got a 95. We both were sweating and got a pretty good workout.
All the laughing was good for the abs and the soul.

[gambler]

I had been wordering if these really work thanks for the info might try it and see if i can give myself a heart attack

[ilovedolphins]

I love the WII Walk it Out game. It is hard to stop once you get started.

[Deleted]

I got a Wii dance workout game for Christmas. I definitely feel it when I do it. The moves are not easy, but I love it.

[vl]

Wii. Just Dance 2 is pretty contagious. If you are skeptical about Wii Fit being yoga-oriented, try to beat my scores. A reminder that Tai Chi and Gong-Fa are far more beneficial at all ages.

[thyme4change]

If you are skeptical about Wii Fit being yoga-oriented, try to beat my scores.

LOL - I've never played the Wii Fit, but I find the concept of competitive yoga pretty funny. Isn't yoga suppose to be about harmony and balance and peace on earth or something? I love that Americans and have taken that and put a score to it, so now someone can "beat" someone else at yoga.

[Deleted]

Well, I'll see you one downward facing dog and raise you a one legged king pigeon. Beat that!

[The J]

(no butter added of course)

[Deleted]

Okay. I have three Seated Wide Legged Straddles and two Goddess Poses. That's a full house. I call you.

[wackyaunt]

I usually do the yoga portion to stretch, followed by a 20 minute "run", super hula hoops, and basic step...but if you want competition yoga... I am just happy the fit board avatar doesn't say "One at a time please." when I step on.

[The J]

Feb 3, 2011 13:45:18 GMT -5 @missmargarita said:

Feb 3, 2011 13:17:20 GMT -5 @familycfo said:

Okay. I have three Seated Wide Legged Straddles and two Goddess Poses. That's a full house. I call you.

<<MM doesn't know how to play poker and is out of phrases>> I fold. LOL!!!!

Isn't that what yoga's all about anyway?

[Deleted]

LOL J. Don't worry MM, I'll split my chips with you.

[Deleted]

Anytime MM. Your choice: poker chips or potato chips.

[reader79]

I play my brother's Dance Central game with the xbox kinect. The first few times, I couldn't finish certain songs, it was so intense. I have played the Your Shape Fitness at a friends house, and it was better for actually tracking calories lost.

[vl]

In the original Wii Fit is a challenge to shift your weight on the board to roll marbles down the holes within the allotted time limit. It's actually quite challenging and the faster you do it, the more your score increases. The higher your scores, the harder it gets to beat your own record so consistency becomes the challenge. Over all, the shifting works out parts of you that many other exercises don't (feet to hips). Another one challenges you as a penguin on an iceberg to catch fish that flop on and bounce across. Works the same areas.

[Deleted]

Potato chips of course! It's like you don't even know me anymore.

Um, MM you do know that the poker chips were worth enough to buy a couple of cases of wine, right?

[Deleted]

Now you tell me...

All is fair in love and yoga.