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Article Series: Exercise & Fitness
What Are The Most Effective Ways
To Exercise & Get Into Shape?
Video
Game Fitness and Exercise
Video games have come a long way in their
relatively short lifespan. In the beginning, there was nothing
to choose from except for simplistic shooting games. But as
technology progressed, sports games, puzzles and games with
complex storylines came about. Today, there are video games
on every subject imaginable. Critics, however, have long lamented
the fact that video games discourage us from more active pursuits.
But the latest trend in video games has turned that notion
on its head. New consoles such as the Nintendo Wii offer a
variety of games that are not only fun and engaging, they also
get us moving. Specially designed controllers make it possible
for us to control onscreen movement with our own movements.
How It All Started
Alternatives to the joystick or gamepad go back to the 1980s.
Early game consoles such as the Atari and Nintendo sold controllers
designed like guns and steering wheels for use with some of
their games. Alternate controllers didn't gain immense popularity,
however, until fairly recently.
One of the first popular video games with a unique controller
was Dance Dance Revolution. The game required players to do
the dance moves shown on the screen on a plastic mat. It created
quite a sensation, becoming one of the most popular video games
of the 1990s.
More games with alternate controllers followed, such as Guitar
Hero. But it wasn't until the Nintendo Wii came along that
video game manufacturers began to design games to incorporate
exercise. The first such game was Wii Sports, which came packaged
with the Wii when it launched. It features simulations of sports
such as tennis and boxing that can be controlled by the Wii
remote. They require players to mimic the actions that are
performed in real sports.
Wii Sports was a hit, and it was followed by Wii Fit. This
exercise game utilizes a balance board for control and features
dozens of different exercises. It also allows players to measure
body mass index (BMI), track progress and compare their fitness
levels to that of others.
Only the Beginning
These new video games have elicited praise from fitness experts
and the video game industry alike because they utilize technology
to promote fitness. And consumers have shown their support
by buying these games in huge numbers. Still, technology-based
fitness has tremendous unfulfilled potential.
Today's fitness games have a limited number of exercises,
and there has been little exploration of games for specialized
training. The very design of today's video games has even been
cited as a problem, as the need to navigate menus makes it
difficult to maintain heart rate when doing aerobic exercises.
But thanks to the warm reception these games have received,
the future of fitness-promoting video games is bright.
Video games are a great way to get those who are uninterested
in exercise up and moving. They also offer features that even
fitness gurus find useful. If you haven't experienced technology-based
fitness for yourself, give it a try. You might find yourself
hooked, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Click here to discover my current SolveYourProblem recommendation and choice pick for the fastest, easiest and best exercise and weight management solution you'll find anywhere. Get it and reward yourself with a fit, more fulfilling life.
by SolveYourProblem.com
: 2010
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