"Exercise games"

[Fishyash]

This wednesday I got a dance mat, and it's been 2 years since I last played dancing stage (DDR) on the arcades. I've been playing on it a bit and got to the point I was last time (9 footers and the easier 10s).

After about an hour of playing that and panting a bit (i'm not exactly the fittest person in the world I guess and it's been a while since I last played so my skill doesn't make up for it), I was thinking about the people who play this games, and other games like it for the sake of helping them stay in shape.

Obviously it isn't going to be quite as effective as sports, going to the gym etc., but I was wondering, what do you guys think of 'fitness games' be it DDR, wii fit or other games like that.

I personally think that if I wanted to really be fit, I would rather go out powerwalking or jogging or something rather than step on arrows on a dance mat/arcade machine. What about you? Do you think it's worth playing these games for the sake of staying in shape?

EDIT: Realised when I clicked post there could have been a poll in this thread. Oh well I still want to know your thoughts on this.

 

[skywolfblue]

Well, it's a lot more "accessible". The nearest bowling alley/tennis court is a few miles drive, vs. just picking up the wiimote and turning on the TV.

Obviously, doing sports in IRL is pretty much always funner if you can. Real life doesn't have controls that go wonky from time to time, and the batteries in your arms aren't going to run out (well, ok, maybe ).

 

[blizzaradragon]

The way I see it, exercise games can be great in a workout as long as they aren't the only part of said workout. For example, my girlfriend uses Just Dance 2 as a warm-up to get the blood pumping, then starts doing regular exercises, and finally does cool-down exercises with Wii Fit.

If you really want an exercise routine using only workout games though, be prepared for tons of playing of said games to burn all those calories.

 

[Fishyash]

Well, it's a lot more "accessible". The nearest bowling alley/tennis court is a few miles drive, vs. just picking up the wiimote and turning on the TV.

Obviously, doing sports in IRL is pretty much always funner if you can. Real life doesn't have controls that go wonky from time to time, and the batteries in your arms aren't going to run out (well, ok, maybe ).

Yes you are right about accessibility. I didn't really consider that too much. Very good point. You mentioned bowling alleys though and it made me realise that before I acctually bought a mat to play DDR on I acctually had to travel to an arcade (usually a bowling alley but the nearest arcade is out of town) if I wanted to play it. However I don't think that's too related to my thread so I'll leave it at that I guess...

Also, no wonky controls IRL? I can't catch a ball to save my life. I think I have faulty hands and eyes.
Also, I think controllers are better in that regard, I hook my controllers up to the console/computer so they should work whenever it's turned on unless there is a power cut. (just kidding)

I wasn't really thinking about what was more enjoyable, more about how much you would put exercise in consideration when you buy/play these games and what you think about people who consider it more or less.