Fitness Video Games - a Guest Blog by Brian Williams
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 7:50AM Every time new technology comes out or every time it is improved upon, there will undoubtedly be someone who takes a good idea and make it a bit better, growing and expanding upon it. Exercise video games are a prime example of this. For years people complained how no one, especially children, ever got any physical activity done because all they did was sit in front of a television playing video games. Now, thanks to many game console systems, people can not only play a video game, they can also get in some exercise and physical activity as well.
Game console systems like Wii made working out fun again when it and other similar products began designing home exercise video games to add to a list of home exercise equipment. For some people, this is their main form of exercise, and some people get even more physical activity playing these games than people who go to a gym once a day or who have a regular fitness regimen in place, mainly because playing exercise video games and becoming involved doesn’t seem like working out.
There is a question though as to how effective this kind of fitness regimen is. Of course, it can easily be argued that playing these games is better than getting no exercise at all, so should we really push the button and argue it at all? But everyone wants to know if fitness video games can ever replace home fitness equipment entirely? The truth is that there are many different answers to this, and that there are many pros and cons to fitness video games.
For one, exercise video games can introduce people to the idea that exercise can be fun. Sometimes it’s hard to get children, especially teenagers, to understand why it’s important to workout, especially if you have to drag them kicking screaming away from their game console or other hobby. By using fitness video games, children are able to combine something they probably don’t like with something that they enjoy very much.
Once they start to see the benefits of exercise, they’re more likely to continue working out, even if it is with a video game. Also, they may be likely to actually try different methods of working out once they get into it. For example, maybe they have never expressed an interest in soccer before and now since they’re playing a fitness video game based on soccer, they’ll decide to start playing it for real.
Using these games is also a good way to relieve stress for anyone, young or old. This is especially good for those who have lower self esteem, and perhaps they can workout at home with these games and build up gradually without having to do it in front of tons of people.
On the downside though, many video fitness games can get very boring after awhile. If people become bored they’ll stop taking part in it, so companies should regularly update their programs to allow for a variety.
Perhaps one of the worst things about fitness video games is that while they do provide physical elements, most don’t encourage a lifestyle or diet change, so there’s an important piece of health missing there. If one is to use fitness video games as their main use of exercise, they should also look to another resource for wellness and diet.
Overall, using video games as Home Exercise Equipment is a great thing overall, although it may not be a bad idea to add another regular regimen on top of it, or use it only as your secondary fitness regimen.
Reader Comments (7)
Wii Fit is a great way to keep fit at home without the need for travelling and paying extra for a gym.
What more could you want? :-)
Andy @ Addicting Games
My wife has a few of these work out games. I think Zumba is her favorite.
nice
Nice instruction! I've seen the video that you post on this site and I love your training methods. I think your method is quite easy to follow and very efficient to train the body muscles. It's very fun. And by the way, I feel my weight go up because I rarely exercise. Therefore, I often come to the gym. I can’t wait to try it. Thanks.
By: Ryan
My family have some of the fitness games. I think there really good.
I doubt that it would work for me, i would still go for the natural ways in losing weight which involves dieting and exercise.
I was very pleased to find this site.I wanted to thank you for this great read!! Thanks..
Keep posting.