GeekSugar

5 Active Video Games to Encourage Exergaming in Kids

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 05:00:00 PST

You never thought you'd hear yourself say, "Go play with your video games!" But according to a new study in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, active video games, or so-called "exergames," are actually healthy for kids. According to the research, video games that encourage intense movement can result in kids burning at least the same number of calories as more traditional exercise. With more gaming systems using body tracking technology (such as the XBox Kinect or Sony Move systems) it is easier to tell if tots are actually moving. Here are five fun video games that will encourage families to get up and move.

US Navy Recommending Wii Fit Training in Boot Camp

GeekSugar — Thu, 27 May 2010 03:47:13 PDT

As you may remember, I tried the Wii Fit for 30 days after its release. Although I did see some results, I don't think it was anything close to what G.I. Jane accomplished in boot camp. Nonetheless, the US Navy recently announced that they'll be adding games like Dance Dance Revolution and Wii Fit to the early stages of boot camp to prepare recruits for the rigors of what's to come.

Apparently, recruits are showing up prepared to work it out during training, but are getting more injuries in the process. Officials say that introducing other exercises - like you'd find on the gaming console - can switch things up and help recruits build endurance. The Wii has already been approved by the American Heart Association, why not the Navy? What do you think - can the Wii actually help the Navy build a stronger soldier?

Let Video Games Shape You Up in 2009!

GeekSugar — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 09:30:47 PST

Since losing weight is number one on FitSugar's New Year's Resolution poll, I wanted to be here for you to tell you that it doesn't have to be all gyms and stinky lockers. Getting in shape can be fun - just turn on your video game console! Check out my guide to getting fit with gadgets in 2009.

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Dance Dance: The Power Evolution

GeekSugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 02:00:58 PDT

I've been waiting to hear more about dancer-powered nightclubs since I heard about the one that opened in London this Summer, and it looks like one has opened in Rotterdam, and is now in business! When clubgoers hit the dance floor at Club Watt, the energy produced by their moving feet lights up the LED dance floor.

Other sustainable practices go on besides the booty shakin' as well, like using a rainwater catch system to use in the toilets.

You know what I'd like to see? A Dance Dance Revolution-like pad I can use in my house to party on and power my casa. My electric bill would disappear!

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Games Can Get You In Shape For the Big Day Too!

GeekSugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 15:00:36 PDT

I guess it's a rite of passage that you freak out before your wedding - whether it's over the flower arrangements, the cake, or your body. Although you should never stoop to crash dieting (I know Fit would tell you the same), it may actually help you to chill out by playing a video game. Bonus, if those games are interactive and get your blood pumping, you might just lose a few pounds while you're at it and tip the scales in your favor.

We all know what a workout you can get by playing Dance Dance Revolution, right? While having a blast matching your foot movements with the beat, in one hour you could be burning up to 900 calories! Not to mention, it might help you learn a few moves for the reception.

There are a few more great games to get you into shape. Find out what they are when you

Wii Fit is the most anticipated excergaming device of the year! With the Wii being totally family friendly, Wii Fit is sure to make a dent in the child obesity rates, right? Although you probably aren't going to get a killer cardio workout like you would in step class at your gym, you'll learn relaxation with yoga, tone your muscles, and amp up your coordination so you can walk down the aisle calm, cool, and super toned.

My Weight Loss Coach is hitting the shelves in the fall and I can already tell it will be one of my fave weight loss devices yet. Not only is it super portable – made just for your Nintendo DS – it has the potential to help you make leaps and bounds with your eating habits. . . as well as keeping you honest about your activity.

Wii Sports has been an excergaming fave since it "bowled" its way into our hearts in 2006. Not only used for rehabilitation in hospitals, preventing sedentary lifestyles in seniors, and of course weight loss, but possibly improving your golf swing so you can be sure to impress your new hubby while on your honeymoon!

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Stephen Colbert in a Dance Dance Revolution Dance-Off!

GeekSugar — Thu, 08 May 2008 09:00:57 PDT

TIME magazine recently released its list of the top 100 most influential people and needless to say, comedian Stephen Colbert wasn't very happy with the results. With first place going to video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto (Wii creator) and second place going to Korean pop star Rain, Colbert's heart sank when he saw his third place ranking. And what's a man to do when he feels like he's been robbed of a prestigious title? Take it to the dance floor, for a little Dance Dance Revolution competition! Colbert finally got Rain to show, and well. . . here's what happened!

DanceDanceRevolution Universe2 Song Lineup Released

GeekSugar — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 09:01:00 PDT

All you DanceDanceRevolution fans will be pleased to hear that the creators of DanceDanceRevolution Universe2 have released the artists and song list for the game, which is set to release this winter. It will include fun songs by Franz Ferdinand, Outkast, Herbie Hancock, Ferry Corsten, Kool and the Gang, Men Without Hats and my favorite, The Bangles.

DanceDanceRevolution Universe2 also introduces a Freestyle Mode that allows you to dance without the use of directional arrows, which is great for people with two left feet, or those of us who like to use DDR as an intense workout! A new Quest Mode lets you build your own character use it in online play via Xbox LIVE, challenging fellow online players, unlock new songs and download new music for the game. To check out more songs and artists on the list,

"Take Me Out" - Franz Ferdinand
"The Way You Move (House Mix)" - Outkast
"Walk Like an Egyptian" - The Bangles
"Rockit" - Herbie Hancock
"Safety Dance" - Men Without Hats
"He's The Greatest Dancer" - Sister Sledge
"Jungle Boogie" - Kool and the Gang
"Akiba Drift" - Ko Kimura
"Cosmic Cowgirl" - Toshio Sakurai
"Do It Right" - AFD feat. Ashley
"Don't You Love Me" - Andy Caldwell
" Dorset Perception" - Shpongle
"Get Up! Give Up! Move On!" -The Divys
"Gradiusic Cyber (Downloadable)" - Taka
"I Know You Got Soul" - Jason Nevins vs. Eric B & Rakim
"I Wanna Be Your Star" - Melody & Mezzo
"I Wish I Could Be Beautiful" - Rithma
"Steppin' Out" - Kaskade
"Summer Girl" - Neverakka

Geeky Bridal Shower Games: DDR and Guitar Hero

GeekSugar — Fri, 18 May 2007 13:45:18 PDT

It seems unanimous: geeky women approve of video game infused gatherings and parties complete with a little Wii, PlayStation and Xbox action, so why not add a little video gaming to your bridal shower? At first I was a tad appalled by the idea - being an old fashioned girl who thinks bridal showers should be filled with overflowing tea pots, scrumptious tea cake and dorky question games (you know forcing the bride to recall the outfit the groom was wearing the day they met is so much fun), but with a little bit of convincing - namely an enthusiastic response to my geek bachelorette party ideas - I am now a staunch supporter of setting up a video game station or competition at your bridal shower.

My reasoning is simple: If you and your girlfriends have fun playing video games at a regular party, you'll have twice as much fun doing it at a bridal party, which are often attended by all those aunts, cousins and co-workers you don't know that well. Instead of breaking the ice with games that put the bride on the spot, the whole crowd can test their coordination, memory and burn a couple calories with a good old fashioned video game competition. Games like Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero don't require any video game experience, but they can be a real laugh. For my ideas to spicing up your bridal shower,

Game Choice
If you have the honor of planning such an event, I suggest you plan, purchase and test out the games before the event. Not only will this be fun, but it will help you plan how much space you'll need in the gaming area and get an idea of how long you want to allot for "gamer time."

Pre-Plan Teams
It's not fair to put all the real gamers on one team and all of the Aunt Bettys on the other team. Mix up the party into groups of 2 or 4 (depending on the game obviously) and make a little list. You can't force anyone to play, but everyone can play Guitar Hero because there is no jumping (a la DDR) or real video game know how necessary.

Keep Score!
Just because it's a bridal shower, it doesn't mean you have to "play nice." Consider setting a little board up or turning it into a drinking game.

Is Exergaming The Next Trend in Fitness?

GeekSugar — Mon, 07 May 2007 09:00:21 PDT

From the Wii weight loss challenge, DDR busting a move in PE classes across the nation to substituting traditional workouts and sex to a little Wii tennis time, the media can't stop talking about whipping the fat video gamer stereotype into a fit and trim calorie-burning-video- game-playing machine.

Even the Associated Press recently got in on the fun, going so far as to call the rise of exercise-focused gaming, "exergaming" Says top video gamer site Kotaku, it "combines the fun of interactive video entertainment and calorie burning." Who doesn't want that?

So how far are we willing to take it? According to Kotaku, "some gyms are integrating dedicated exergaming machines into their circuit of traditional exercise machinery, with some business springing up around the concept of family-based exercise complete with Dance Dance Revolution arcade set ups." Is Exergaming the new cardio striptease, or is someone just trying to seduce us into buying an Xbox? More importantly, will the interest in video game exercising resonate with women, or will husky Turtle types and children be the only ones to benefit?

Why Aren't American Arcades More Fun?

GeekSugar — Fri, 04 May 2007 03:30:57 PDT

Tokyomango - a site that offers everything one might want to know about the "birth city of Godzilla, Gundam, all-you-can-eat shabu shabu and panty vending machines" - recently featured this great photo of its editor rocking out to a dog walking video game.

Here's more:

This is arguably the most challenging arcade game I have ever played. Much more so than Beatmania or DDR (j/k, I so don't play DDR) or Street Fighter II. Basically you have to walk on a treadmill while holding this white dog's leash. Walk too fast, and he'll get tired. Walk too slow, and he'll get bored. And when obstacles like the neighborhood bully dog or a oncoming car shows up on the screen, you better steer clear! If you mess up, your dog dies.

While I know a couple of animal lovers that would likely go hog wild over the possible dog fatality, I love that this isn't a "shoot 'em up" or dance kind of game. Okay, so I just want to say I walked my dog in an arcade. Can you blame me?