Staying in Shape with Video Games

Remember the good old days? When you would either be out playing basketball with your friends, or indoors playing video games? Remember when gaming used to be played sitting on the couch or the bed, lazily without moving any part of your body other than your thumbs? Remember when exercising meant putting on your fancy Jordan sneakers with matching shorts and muscle shirt, and driving to the gym where you pay way too much to work out once in a blue moon? I remember those days. It was a simpler time, but simpler doesn’t mean better.

A few years ago, the world of video games was turned upside down. I would argue that it all began with the first Dance Dance Revolution at arcades throughout the country, but the true revolution began on November 19, 2006 with the release of the Nintendo Wii. Since then, we have seen such innovations as DJ Hero, Rock Band, and the PlayStation Move, culminating with the Microsoft Kinect (“a controller free gaming and entertainment experience”).

With this paradigm shift in the gaming world, came a new way to work out. Forget about DVD aerobics, Tae Bo, or Fitness Channel yoga sessions. Now, you can invite your friends over, flip on the Wii and have insane amounts of fun with Just Dance 2, and Wii Sports Resort. Of course, if you prefer “real”, concentrated workouts, you can opt to purchase Zumba Fitness, Wii Fit, or EA Sports Active. Video games are no longer for the couch potatoes and lazy Larry’s of the world. Of course, the motion sensor gaming world goes beyond exercise games. Can you imagine suiting up as a Jedi to fight off the Sith lords with a PS3 MoveSaber? Or stepping up to the plate as Evan(?) Longoria with the Wiimote?

So, if you are sold on the idea of getting into or staying in shape using motion sensor gaming, let me help you get the right equipment. If you already own one of the three consoles, you can stick with the one you have to do your workouts. However, if you’re starting from scratch, there are a few things you should consider when purchasing a console.

1. Examine the features: You can buy any of the three consoles, and still get the same workout, because the main games (Just Dance, Dance Central, EA Sports Active, Zumba) are cross platform games. Remember, buying a video game console is an investment of at least a few hundred dollars, so be sure you are making an informed decision. Examine the features of each. If you are a fan of video games, scan the library of games for each console. Maybe you aren’t a fan of spending hours playing games, but you have been dying to buy a Bluray player, but you can’t buy both a console and a Bluray. Sony offers you a simple solution in the form of the PlayStation 3.
2. Review the library: If you’re going to buy a gaming console, you should know the games available and purchase the one with games that best suit your taste. For example, if you are a diehard baseball fan, and want to buy a system to exercise and play an awesome baseball game, your best bet is the PS3 and MLB: The Show. If you have kids who want to play games, you may be best served investing in a Wii, due to its excellent selection of child friendly games. Maybe you love shooters. If so, the XBOX 360 is right up your alley, with titles like Halo, and Gears of War.
3. Internet connectivity and features: All three consoles currently offer Netflix instant stream (obviously, you need a Netflix account). Find out everything you can about XBOX Live, and the PSN. See which one is your preferred engine.

Always think what is it that you are looking for? You have quite a myriad of options with your motion sensor gaming accessory. Another question to ask is who will be playing? Are you playing alone, with a significant other, or in a bigger group? The greatest benefit of the motion sensor gaming world is how much fun it is in groups. The Kinect, Move, and Wii are perfect for parties! Forget about breaking out the old board games; and chances are your favorite Hasbro game can be played on one of the three consoles. You can find everything from Buzz, Trivial Pursuit, and Scene It, to Scrabble and Monopoly. We can’t forget about Rock Band, and Guitar Hero, either.

Staying in Shape with Video Games

Remember the good old days? When you would either be out playing basketball with your friends, or indoors playing video games? Remember when gaming used to be played sitting on the couch or the bed, lazily without moving any part of your body other than your thumbs? Remember when exercising meant putting on your fancy Jordan sneakers with matching shorts and muscle shirt, and driving to the gym where you pay way too much to work out once in a blue moon? I remember those days. It was a simpler time, but simpler doesn’t mean better.

A few years ago, the world of video games was turned upside down. I would argue that it all began with the first Dance Dance Revolution at arcades throughout the country, but the true revolution began on November 19, 2006 with the release of the Nintendo Wii. Since then, we have seen such innovations as DJ Hero, Rock Band, and the PlayStation Move, culminating with the Microsoft Kinect (“a controller free gaming and entertainment experience”).

With this paradigm shift in the gaming world, came a new way to work out. Forget about DVD aerobics, Tae Bo, or Fitness Channel yoga sessions. Now, you can invite your friends over, flip on the Wii and have insane amounts of fun with Just Dance 2, and Wii Sports Resort. Of course, if you prefer “real”, concentrated workouts, you can opt to purchase Zumba Fitness, Wii Fit, or EA Sports Active. Video games are no longer for the couch potatoes and lazy Larry’s of the world. Of course, the motion sensor gaming world goes beyond exercise games. Can you imagine suiting up as a Jedi to fight off the Sith lords with a PS3 MoveSaber? Or stepping up to the plate as Evan(?) Longoria with the Wiimote?

So, if you are sold on the idea of getting into or staying in shape using motion sensor gaming, let me help you get the right equipment. If you already own one of the three consoles, you can stick with the one you have to do your workouts. However, if you’re starting from scratch, there are a few things you should consider when purchasing a console.

1. Examine the features: You can buy any of the three consoles, and still get the same workout, because the main games (Just Dance, Dance Central, EA Sports Active, Zumba) are cross platform games. Remember, buying a video game console is an investment of at least a few hundred dollars, so be sure you are making an informed decision. Examine the features of each. If you are a fan of video games, scan the library of games for each console. Maybe you aren’t a fan of spending hours playing games, but you have been dying to buy a Bluray player, but you can’t buy both a console and a Bluray. Sony offers you a simple solution in the form of the PlayStation 3.
2. Review the library: If you’re going to buy a gaming console, you should know the games available and purchase the one with games that best suit your taste. For example, if you are a diehard baseball fan, and want to buy a system to exercise and play an awesome baseball game, your best bet is the PS3 and MLB: The Show. If you have kids who want to play games, you may be best served investing in a Wii, due to its excellent selection of child friendly games. Maybe you love shooters. If so, the XBOX 360 is right up your alley, with titles like Halo, and Gears of War.
3. Internet connectivity and features: All three consoles currently offer Netflix instant stream (obviously, you need a Netflix account). Find out everything you can about XBOX Live, and the PSN. See which one is your preferred engine.

Always think what is it that you are looking for? You have quite a myriad of options with your motion sensor gaming accessory. Another question to ask is who will be playing? Are you playing alone, with a significant other, or in a bigger group? The greatest benefit of the motion sensor gaming world is how much fun it is in groups. The Kinect, Move, and Wii are perfect for parties! Forget about breaking out the old board games; and chances are your favorite Hasbro game can be played on one of the three consoles. You can find everything from Buzz, Trivial Pursuit, and Scene It, to Scrabble and Monopoly. We can’t forget about Rock Band, and Guitar Hero, either.

Yes my friends, the world of video games has changed quite a bit since the days of Super Mario Bros., and Sonic the Hedgehog. You can put on a concert, play Scrabble against someone in Wyoming, and even lose that freshman 15. It’s a brave new world!