In this era of carbs, calories, and cholesterol, nearly everyone is looking for the quick fix to the freshman fifteen or the holiday love-handles. Unfortunately, there are no cheat codes for removing unwanted pounds. Instead, it takes a load of hard work and dedication.
Thankfully, though, with the help of popular exergames for Nintendo Wii, Sony Playstation, and Xbox, losing weight doesn’t have to be tedious nor expensive.
Exercise for All Age Groups
With the increase in motion-oriented gaming, consumers are now becoming aware of the rewards of such a system for the entire family. Of course, marketers for video games acknowledge that many of their products are designed to entice youth. But in “Shall Wii Dance?” Sara Plummer reports that even then the hope is that with more emphasis on motion, such games have the added bonus of “[getting] kids excited about fitness,” according to Oklahoma University researcher Kevin Short.
Exergames, however, don’t have to be only for the kids these days. In Forbes.com, one gamer’s parents even bought themselves their own Wii in order to take advantage of the weight loss opportunity. Of course, it only works if it’s actually used.
Like with traditional fitness, working out via video games might require an actual physical partner, someone willing to push you to the next level. Parents and children could even challenge one another to keep the weight loss going after the novelty of a new game system has worn off.
Motivational Virtual Trainers
While the video game creators often claim to have the best interests of the consumers at heart, that doesn’t necessarily translate into real results. Like with any exercise regime, consistency and effort play key roles in just how effective virtual exercise is. But one of the advantages of working out virtually, is that motivation is built into the game.
Such is the case with products like Wii Fit Plus. Every day of exercise completed earns a stamp on the calendar. While this may not seem like much, the more one works out, the more options are available for a stamp. Seeing 5, 15, or 25 stamps in a single month becomes a visual reminder of the progress made.
Progress in other games means opening up new adventures, like with Wii Sports, where you can unlock numerous types of activities of varying degrees the more that you play. For gamers especially, "exergames" provide a physical outlet combined with the stimulation of more traditional video game rewards.
Proof of the Advantages of Exergames
While you might not become the next world champion boxer or bowler playing video games, there is evidence, according to Plummer’s report, that participating in such activities virtually can be equivalent to moderate walking. The British Medical Journal reveals the staggering statistic found by one study: dance games, such as Dance, Dance Revolution, increase energy expenditure by 172%.
Even many family exercise facilities are now offering gaming systems as part of their package, as with the R.C. Dickenson Family YMCA in Broken Arrow, OK. One school system in West Virginia, as noted in USA Today, even utilizes exergaming in their physical education requirements.
Video game workouts can’t replace the strain and effect of a hearty baseball game in the summer heat nor the cardiovascular benefits of a three-mile swim, but for the minimal cost, obvious convenience, engaging strategies, they’re a great alternative.
Sources
Graves, Lee, Gareth Stratton, N D Ridgers, and N T Cables. “Energy Expenditure in Adolescents Playing New Generation Computer Games.” British Medical Journal Vol. 335 (22-29 Dec. 2007): 1282-1284.
Hendry, Erica R. “Exercise Video Games Get Kids off the Couch.” USA Today. 30 Jul. 2008.
Plummer, Sara. “Shall Wii Dance?: Study Finds Virtual Exercise Beneficial.” Tulsa World [OK] (16 Jul. 2009).
Ruberg, Bonnie. “The Truth About Wii Fit and Weight Loss.” Forbes.com. 29 Jan. 2009.
Lisa Hughes - Lisa Hughes Masters of Arts in Teaching English STAR Discovery Educator Technology Liaison for Appleseed Writing Project
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