Game Console Exercise??

I use the Kinect fitness games

I've tried Dance Central, Zumba Fitness, and UFC personal trainer. The first two I traded in, the third I still have.

Dance Central was decent; it had a good tutorial that fully explained the movements, during game play it also had a list of upcoming movements and the dance moves were fun and the game clearly showed you what parts you were doing wrong and had a calorie counter but the music was all most entirely rap and hip-hop which I personally cannot stand, but if you like that kind of music it's a good choice.

Zumba Fitness was horrible, the music was terrible but again if you like latin music you won't mind then, and the tutorial was not helpful at all; it started you off slow with simple foot work, built on that a little bit, then jumped you straight into very complicated movements at full tempo. The game also didn't do a very good job of showing you which parts of the movements you were doing wrong. Might be good if you already know the movements.

UFC personal trainer is pretty good; it has a work out calendar with 30 or 60 day programs for strength, endurance, or weight loss. Focus mitt mini games, speed bag and heavy bag simulations, 15-30 minute quick work out routines and a build your own routine option. It gives you a traditional workout but I find it very effective. After working out for a month at the gym with running and weights I was surprised how sore I felt after my first 30 minute session. Though I had noticed some bugs, the game losses me sometimes on the floor exercises and sometimes doesn't count what I'm doing. Hopefully they can patch that. Out of all the workout games I've tried I like this one the best. Between this game and MFP I've lost 12 in 3 weeks

I have both the Wii and the Kinects.... I have 5 workout programs on the Wii and I use Dance Central for my Cardio on the Kinects... but I use it in combination with my gym membership.
Wii
Cardio Workout, Cardio Dance Workout, Zumba and Just Dance 1 and 2

Kinects
Dance Central if you love to dance

I have used EA Sports Active on the Wii and the PS3. i like the newest version the best, which is EA Sports Active 2, for the PS3 (it is also on the Wii). It has a leg sensor and arm bands that measure your movement and heart rate. You don't need that movement detecting system that is sold separately. The Wii version has only one arm band and you have to hold a controller in the other. The exercises are good, and I did it for 9 weeks or so before joining a new local gym. The gym is largely for the pool, weight room, and classes, but the console exercise programs definitely work well.

I have heard that the tutorial on the Wii Zumba game is terrible, and gets much too hard too quickly. The actual game only progresses when it thinks you are ready. Many people like it, but I haven't tried it yet. My gym has Zumba, so I go to that.

I've used Wii since I first started this diet in Jan, as I was to embarrassed to go to the gym or classes. I have tried many titles, but EA Sports Active is the best by far - especially the latest one (EASA 2). I also have Zumba which is OK if you like Zumba !!

I have started to go to classes as well now though since I lost weight (49 lbs so far, 1.5 lb to go). But on a "pay as you go" basis.

I would certainly recommend console based exercising, if you have the motivation to do it. But I suppose that's the same as making yourself go to the gym ...... ! :bigsmile: