This year, as swim suit season approached, I decided to invest in a personal trainer. A virtual personal trainer, that is, for the one time price of $34.99.
Maya, the hostess of a video game called YourselfFitness, has created an individual exercise routine for me, complete with a meal plan and tracking log to monitor my anticipated progress. The software was published by responDESIGN, whose slogan, “games that are healthy for you,” may seem to contradict the traditional couch-potato reputation of popular video games.
Exercise and video games? Apparently opposites do attract, and “exergaming” is the hot new buzz work in the technology industry. The current trend connects large motor movement with video gaming to offer physical activity beyond the trigger finger on the joystick and is getting even serious gamers off the couch.
Dance, Dance Revolution, originally a dance step arcade game introduced in 1998, was one of the first video games to rely largely on a player’s physical movement to play the game. Since then, versions of DDR for home gaming consoles have been created, worldwide tournaments have been organized,
Norway
has accepted it as an official sport and schools have reported using the program to promote physical activity.
According to the American Council on Exercise, inactivity is the most common cause of obesity in children, and the number of obese kids in the
U.S.
has doubled in the last decade. If you invest a bit of time and effort into figuring out which games might get your clan moving, however, chances are they’ll come off the couch and catch the exergaming wave.
Finding ways to incorporate routine exercise into your family’s life style can boost self esteem, endurance and overall health. Check out these techie ideas to get your family plugged into to some physical activity.
Get your body in motion. Whether it’s an electronic dance pad that gets your family’s feet stomping to the beat or a golf match that has you taking real swings at a virtual course, choose video games that require large motor skills to move the game forward. Don’t have a gaming console? No problem. Some TV plug-in games replace a joystick with an electronic snowboard or special baseball bat – player movements directly affect the action in the game.
Smile (and sweat) for the camera. Games that utilize mini cameras can put you in the virtual game. The Eye Toy, for instance, works with a Playstation 2 to create fun physical games for kids, as well as a new exercise instruction program for adults featuring a personalized fitness routine.
Replace your joystick with exercise equipment. Into biking? The Cateye Gamebike can connect to your video game console, allowing you to put the pedal to the metal to join a virtual motorcycle race or speed boat competition. If you’re in the market for a treadmill, pace yourself with the Gamerunner, a treadmill that connects through your computer USB port and allows you to play games or surf the Net.
Encourage games with active themes. Games featuring sports are a great way to peak your family’s interest in real life activities. Look for sporting or dancing games with an instructional component where kids can benefit from learning the rules or get physical tips while playing. Encourage players to try out these pointers on the real field after the electronic game play is over.
Generate energy. The GamerCycle connects to the TV, allowing cyclers to create the screen power for video games or watching TV. Stop pedaling and the screen will go blank.
Create your own exergaming routine. Try incorporating activity into your family’s gaming activities by requiring it before game playing. Encourage kids to run 5 laps around the yard or make 20 lay ups before they sit down to play a 30 minute game. Trade game minutes for active play minutes or set a timer for 15 minute breaks where kids have to perform a physical activity from a pre-set list before they return to their game.
Try before you buy. Before you invest, check your local electronic and video game stores to see if there is a demo or rental equipment available for a trial run. Also, research products and read comprehensive game reviews at www. ign.com.
