Ideas for being a physically fit gamer

[willard3]

So the thread about sports being worse than video games got me thinking...what are some ways we can enjoy our video games but still maintain physical fitness?

Note: Wii Fit and similar games do not count.

My friend came up with an idea when we were really hardcore into Tekken. He would do a set number of push-ups (usually 10, but sometimes higher) every time he lost a round...not a match, but a ROUND. Considering our group usually played best 3 of 5, that could mean 30 push-ups if you lost a match. I remember after one session, he had done something like 200+ push-ups.

 

[S.R.S.]

Whenever a loading screen pops up do an exercise for the duration of the load.

 

[Cherry Cola]

Do physical exercise when not gaming?

Why complicate things when you can have it simple?

 

[migo]

Go for walks. It's the best and most important thing you can do for your health. Doing pushups while playing is also a good idea, but everyone needs to walk.

 

[Vilcus]

I used to have a set of dumbbells near me every time I played a game. Whenever a loading screen, or cinematic came up I started doing reps. Once my arms started gaining muscle mass, and I got further along I started putting more weight on them. I stopped recently because I feel that I need to work on cardio more than weight training right now, so now I just go for a walk every hour of game time (20 minute walks).

 

[Tyro Seri]

Moviebob has a video on screwattack.com called 'Building a better gamer', and in it he gives advice about how gamers can improve themselves and i recommend any who hasnt seen it yet, should =]

 

[The Eggplant]

I...just go to the gym for a couple hours every day. At home there's on right down the street, and at school it's on campus, so there's really absolutely no reason for me not to. Having a defined daily workout time also helps me structure my days, including finding free time that's actually free to game in.

 

[starocean13]

The walking idea is a good one...actually all those sound like great ideas. I know not everyone has one but if you have a treadmill, like me, close enough and its not a pc game (unless your just this talented) walk while you game. Not run obviouslly cause thats just a pain but do both at the sme time, as long as thats plosible for you. I do it all the time and it keeps me from feeling so tired when I game, espesially when Im doing an all day playthrough.

 

[Flying-Emu]

Go outside?

It's not rocket science.

 

[insectoid]

The same was one would be a physically fit <insert pretty much any other hobby that doesn't directly involve a workout> - do some exercise.

 

[SeriousSquirrel]

Cycle on a stationary bike while playing.

 

[Imsety]

Push-ups and strength training is a nice quick exercise, but in the end it doesn't help all that much as it's such a specific set of muscles you're training. It's far better to just go outside and walk, or ride a bicycle, or whatever means of manual locomotion you prefer.

Go outside when you're taking a break, breathing some fresh air and being able to clear your mind are at least as important as exercising.

As for 'loading screens', I've got a pair of these things:

Well, not exactly the same, but you get my point. It's a good exercise to prevent sore fingers as a result of the repetitive mouse/keyboard operation.

 

[Zhukov]

Uh... eat well and get some exercise?

Y'know, the exact same way anyone else gets fit. Last I checked, jogging and video games were not mutually exclusive activities.

 

[Baralak]

3 letters: DDR

Lol, seriously though. I don't really do anything, but I like the Tekken idea.

 

[Wintermoot]

just get some excersice or go to a gym

 

[Dark Knifer]

If you want to exercise during gaming, then the simpilist idea would be to just get a treadmil. You only need your feet for that and it's exercise so...

I always found just going for a walk every now and then keeps me fairly fit.

 

[TriGGeR_HaPPy]

Do physical exercise when not gaming?

Why complicate things when you can have it simple?

This.
If it's a loading screen, I'll wait it out. Seems silly to do physical work in loading screens, but maybe that's just me... :S

To keep physically fit, I just do about an hour of excercise each day, usually comprising of sit-ups, a few different kinds of push-ups, and squats.