FitSugar

Pants Dance Video Game by Subway

FitSugar — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 02:00:00 -0700

If we could all really "digest" the message of a healthy lifestyle/diet from a video game, life would truly be sweet. So sweet in fact we would probably never overindulge in cake and milkshakes. Ahhhh, what a dreamer I can be. Cake, milkshakes and even french fries are just a few of the items to avoid while playing the online video game produced by Subway titled Pants Dance. The pants in the title are Jared's, of course.

The spokesman for Subway's healthy sandwich line is retiring his famous fat pants that were featured prominently in print and TV ads. Jared has kept off the 245 pounds that he began losing ten years ago. To celebrate, Subway created a video game where you try to catch healthy food including yogurt, water, and of course Subway sandwiches as well as sneakers and dumbbells, in your pants to lose weight. However you must also avoid unhealthy foods and the accessories of unhealthy lifestyle choices, which include a video game controller.

Hats off to Jared for taking the weight off! The game is fun, but the message is even better. I wouldn't waste my time on the game. I would actually put on my sneakers and grab my hand weights for a circuit workout. But that is just me.

Source

Try Kung Fu Without Getting Hurt

FitSugar — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 11:00:00 -0700

I love watching the Kung Fu Master compete against the Yogi. Since I know how to do yoga, I've always wanted to try Kung Fu. Truthfully I haven't yet because: 1) I don't like hurting other people, and 2) more importantly, I fear getting hurt myself. Now I don't have to worry.

Check out this Kung Fu game for the PlayStation 2, unveiled at the IFO 2007 (it's a big tech convention) in China. The woman says "it's a Kung Fu Wii," but she's not exactly "up" on the whole gaming scene. What's cool is that there are sensors on your wrists and ankles that let you punch and kick, and work your heart and your muscles completely, but you never come in contact with an actual human being.

The only way you'll get hurt is if you accidentally kick the wall or punch an unsuspecting passerby. The Nintendo Wii may have boxing but it doesn't have a Kung Fu game. Of course, the game hasn't hit the stores yet, but check out this video and tell me what you think.

New Trend in Fitness: Video Games and Cardio

FitSugar — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 13:30:00 -0700

Remember the Nintendo Powerpad? Well if it was a favorite in your past, then you're probably going to be excited about this news.

New fitness companies are playing on the old gamers in us all. Using the latest in virtual reality technology, Expresso Fitness is creating cardio bikes that motivate you with an interactive training environment and give you the feedback to keep improving. In other words: These interactive exercise bikes give you the feeling that you're zooming through tunnels or chasing dragons.

Pretty cool minus the fact that video games now make me motion sick...

OmniDirectional Treadmill

FitSugar — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:45:00 -0700

When the weather is bad, or you don't feel safe running or walking outside, treadmills are great. The only thing that's bad is that you are doing the same repetition of motions over and over again. You use all the same muscles, which is very unlike moving on actual terrain outdoors (and very boring too).

Check out this omnidirectional treadmill. A clever little Michigan-based company called Virtual Space Devices, Inc., has been working on this since 1996. It's a self-contained unit that allows you to walk or run in any direction you choose, without actually going anywhere. It will allow you to move with freedom, and say goodbye to the repetition of basic treadmills.

This could also be used for virtual video games, so kids (and adults) can get off the couch and be part of the game (while burning calories too). I'm not sure this will be hitting gyms or living rooms anytime soon, but just the thought of it is exciting. Check out the video - it's truly amazing.

Wii and Weight Loss - It's Official

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 02:00:00 -0800

Well, the research is in. Kids who regularly play Wii games burn up a significantly larger amount of calories than kids who play other game consoles, or spend their time passively watching TV.

Not really surprising news for anyone who has ever played Wii Sports. After a night of Wii bowling, the next day my arm was really sore and I knew that I had worked it!!!

Professor Tim Cable headed the study at Liverpool John Moores University, where they measured the impact of playing Wii versus playing a traditional non-motion-controlled console on 5 girls and 7 boys, between the ages of 13 and 15 years.

15 minutes of gaming using a traditional controller increased the subject’s energy expenditure above resting values by an average of 60%. With a Wii controller this was increased to a whopping 156%.

Heart rates also increased to 130 beats per minute while playing Wii, compared with 85 beats per minute with a traditional console.

Most kids who are serious gamers, average about 12.2 hours of playing video games a week. At 150 calories an hour, in a week they'll burn 1,830 using the Wii, which works out to be 40% more than your average video game.

Wow that's great news, but too bad it's next to impossible to get your hands on a Wii right now.

Wii Weights - Step Up Your Game

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 03:30:00 -0800

OK, so as a lover of anything promoting exercise, I'm all for the Wii. Using it as your only form of exercise, that I'm not so sure about.

If you are looking to maximize your Wii workout you should check out these Wii Weights. Talk about feeling the burn while bowling, these Wii weights wrap around your wrists to make those backhand swings really count on the tennis court.

Although these weights are just a prototype, adding weights to your Wii time is a great idea, especially if the game is your only form of exercise. If you're really serious about it, you can go out and get this weighted vest or some wrist or ankle weights. You'll be building muscle in no time.

Guitar Heroes?

FitSugar — Sun, 17 Dec 2006 07:30:00 -0800

Are you a wanna be rock star? Are you addicted to a video game? Could it be Guitar Hero by Play Station 2?

Well if you are suffering from debilitating wrist pain due to your virtual marathon jamming sessions, you are not alone. Joel Zumaya, a relief pitcher for the Detroit Tigers was sidelined this year with a Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI) during the play offs. His injury was evaluated by his trainers and they found his symptoms were characteristic not with pitching, but with guitar playing. It came out that he was really into the video game Guitar Hero and his virtual guitar solos were beating up his wrist. Zumaya, told to lay off the video game, returned to the game of baseball in fine form for the World Series.

Moral of the story: You are not alone in your addiction to video games. Chances are you do not have a team of trainers looking after your welfare, so listen to your body. If your hands, wrists, elbows or shoulders start to ache or burn, get up and walk away from the game for a bit. Try setting a timer so you only play for a set period of time. Good luck and rock on!

Just Released: Three Fitness Video Games For the Wii

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 03:00:47 -0700

Confession: I love playing video games - I especially love them on the Wii because I get to move, jump, and shake myself into a tizzy. Three fitness games were released for the Wii this last week and even though it's not like doing the real deal outside, the games are a fun way to burn calories and whip your bod into shape.

Nintendo Wii Fit Plus ($20) Wii Fit Plus is Nintendo's follow-up to the popular Wii Fit. There are new exercises, balance board games, and strength and yoga activities, as well as targeted exercise routines for things like reducing tummy fat and toning your figure. A great improvement is the addition of a calorie counter - after you complete each exercise the game tells you how many calories you've burned.

To hear about the other two games, continue reading.

Wii, The First Fit Video Game?

FitSugar — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 03:30:00 -0800

I am so excited to welcome geek to the Sugar team! And while, she and I may not always see eye to eye on the benefit of video games, the Nintendo's Wii ($250) is one video game that I actually think is totally great too.

Wii is quite possibly one of the first "Fit approved" video games because instead of sitting sedentary on your couch eating chips, Wii players actually get up and move... a lot.

Check out the video that geek found showing one girl burning some serious calories while playing Wii.

And for more info on the Wii, go here.

Game Time: ProForm 20.0 CrossTrainer Elliptical

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 08:45:00 -0700

Now I am not really a big video gamer, but combine video games and exercising and now you've got my attention.

This is why I am loving the new ProForm 20.0 CrossTrainer Elliptical ($799.00). Not only is it a great elliptical for your personal use, but the console features 2 interactive games. Using the dual game controllers on the elliptical arms, you can play the Fat Blocker game or the Calorie Destroyer game during your workout. The best part? The harder you exercise, the greater advantage you will have over the computer you're playing against! The console keeps track of the four highest scores for each game - so you and your husband can try and knock off each other's scores each time one of you works out.

Plug your iPod or other MP3 player into the console and play your music or media files through the built-in speakers. This could be the most entertaining piece of cardio equipment ever!

Not enough for you? The machine also features large, super gel grip pedals that allow you a number of different foot positions for greater comfort and stability. Trust me, anyone who has ever lost her footing on an elliptical machine can attest to how fabulous an idea that is. Buy it directly from the ProForm site.

View 3 Photos ›