GeekSugar

EA Sports Active Announces New Game With More Exercises

GeekSugar — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 01:43:19 -0700

With the success of EA Sports Active - the game I used for my 30 Day fitness challenge - EA is announcing a new EA Sports Active game called Sports Active More Workouts.

Coming November 17, the new game will feature 35 new exercises like water skiing and paddle surfing. It will also emphasize abdominal exercises including curl ups, crunches and punches.

I think the addition of more exercises is good, but I wish you could just download them rather than have to go out and buy the game separately.

5 Games That Work Your Bod For Fall

GeekSugar — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 03:45:08 -0700

If you've slacked off on getting fit this Summer, there's still time to whip your bod into shape before Fall. You don't want to miss showing off those shapely legs in the season's hottest knee-high boots, do you? I didn't think so. Check out five games that can get your heart pumping, muscles working, and will help you get your diet under control so you're not only healthy, but happy for the upcoming season.

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Daisy Fuentes Pilates: Coming to a Wii Near You Aug 4

GeekSugar — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 07:09:57 -0700

Still riding the exergaming high from my EA Sports Active challenge, I was pumped to hear that Daisy Fuentes Pilates for the Wii ($28) will be released on August 4.

The program is said to offer varying degrees of difficulty and you can select from five pre-set routines that will target different areas of your body. . . you can also customize your own routine to mix things up a bit. As excited as I am to check it out, I'm a bit worried about how the wiimote will be incorporated into the game (the wii balance board is optional) since I had some issues with wiimote/wii communication during Sports Active. The game is supposed to provide instant feedback on your movements, so I'm assuming it is constantly monitoring your actions via the wiimote - something a regular workout DVD doesn't provide. The star of the game, Daisy Fuentes, also provides exercise and healthy eating suggestions for an overall holistic approach to health.

EA Sports Active 30 Day Challenge: Final Thoughts

GeekSugar — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:00:37 -0700

I can hardly believe that it has already been an entire month since I started the 30 Day EA Sports Active Challenge. I'm sure for those of you who participated in the challenge, you can also vouch that the 30 days goes by fairly quickly. And because the game gives you two to three rest days a week, it's easy to add the workouts into your daily routine.

In terms of my overall results, I only lost about four pounds, but where I do see the results is in my muscles, which are a bit more toned and can actually handle some weight! Although Sports Active offers a nice cross-training program, if you're really trying to shed the pounds, I suggest pairing this game with another exercise program (say regular exercise classes, or cardio at the gym).

To find out what my pros and cons are about the game, just read more.

What I loved about EA Sports Active is the fact that you can do it at home (major plus), you decide the pace, it feels interactive since your movements are showing on the screen, and it tracked my progress daily and overall. Of all the workout programs I've done at home (including Wii Fit), this one is definitely at the top of the list.

What I didn't like about it was the slow pace between workouts, how the calorie counter increased with time rather than your actual workouts, the fact that I had to go out and buy a stronger resistant band, and the Wiimote sensor inaccuracy with exercises like the bicep curls. Thankfully, Sports Active has created a forum on its website where users can ask questions, and other users can answer them.

Will I continue to use the game? Definitely. Most likely three times a week in combination with my other workouts. Because it's so convenient and actually gets me sweating - how can I say no?!

The Green Pixels group has also finished their challenge. Be sure to check out their overall thoughts on the experience!

EA Sports Active 30 Day Challenge: Week Four

GeekSugar — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:00:12 -0700

As I near the homestretch of my EA Sports Active 30 Day Challenge, I am thoroughly impressed with how much muscle strength I've gained and how I feel generally healthier. After my issues with the Wii sensor and resistance bands last week, I decided to skip the bicep curls and upright rows since I couldn't seem to get my new resistance band to work with them (yes - even when I was going reallly slow and following the instructor!). Thankfully the game still gives me lots of upper-body workouts so I don't really notice that the other workouts are gone. I think I've lost around four pounds so far, but I'm not so concerned about the weight loss as I am about turning fat into muscle.

To find out what else happened during the challenge this week, just read more.

Although this game provides you with two or three rest days during your weekly workouts (when I started, I seriously thought 30 days meant you work out for 30 days!), there have still been days I've had to miss. What I love is the fact that the game picks right up where you left off, shows you your progress, and doesn't get mad at you (like a personal trainer) when you skip a day. But what sucks about a video game is you can't say, "Hey, I actually went to the gym on the weekend, can you factor that into my progress?!"

I was chatting with my sister on the phone last night and because she just had a baby, she's trying to figure out ways to work out that don't consume a ton of her time . . . and ones that she can do at home to stay close to her little one. She was thinking about buying Wii Fit, but I think she'll really love this game with the cardio and variety of workouts. I'm going to take it with me during a visit next week, so we shall see!

Now let's see how the Green Pixels crew are doing during their fourth week of the challenge!

EA Sports Active 30 Day Challenge: Week Three

GeekSugar — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:00:26 -0700

It's hard to believe I'm already in the throws of week three of the EA Sports Active challenge. I learned a lot after last week's trials and tribulations, so I decided to step it up a bit this week.

I took to Target and purchased a fancy resistance band that included handles and all, and as backup, I also got a box of three bands offering different resistances. I got all excited to take my upper body exercises to the next level, but as soon as it got to bicep curls with upright rows, there was zero communication between the Wii and my movements. What had I done? I was still holding the Wiimote and nunchuck in the same position.

After many attempts and putting new batteries in the Wiimote (by this time I was halfway through my workout and was getting really frustrated), I decided to take the basic band I purchased and put it on the black handles which were included in the workout - so it looked exactly like the red one except with a stronger resistance band. Bingo, that seemed to work just fine. But now that I'm catching on to the exercises fairly quickly, I am easily irritated when the game tells me I'm moving too fast and it won't pick up a signal with my Wiimote. Has anyone else had this happen? The Wii sensor was on the top of my TV, so I even tried moving it down to see if that would help.

To keep reading about my experience with the Challenge this past week, just read more.

I can't say I feel like the pounds are shedding off, but I do feel stronger and my muscles feel tighter. Since there's a bit of a delay between each exercise, I try to use that opportunity to run longer, or do more reps of each exercise. I've started ignoring the calorie counter since it still goes up when I'm not doing anything (like having Wii sensor issues). I can say, it's one of the few at-home fitness regimens I don't dread doing.

Wondering how the Green Pixels group is doing this week? Check out their progress!

EA Sports Active 30 Day Challenge Update

GeekSugar — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:00:13 -0700

My 30 Day EA Sports Active challenge continues, and for those of you who left comments and feedback about your own experience with the challenge, I must say, I am already feeling many of the same things!

In the beginning, I was really skeptical that this game could actually get me sweating and burn calories, but as each workout ups the calorie-burning level, you are guaranteed to be sweating within the first 10 minutes. And although this game isn't full of a ton of cardio (there are some running exercises which incorporate knee-ups and kick-ups), you'd be surprised how many calories you burn while working your muscle groups (those jumps in the inline skating exercise kill!). EA Sports Active really increases your strength and helps you build muscle - something I failed to include in my previous trips to the gym.

To keep reading about my experience this past week, just read more.

This week was all about learning. Learning that I need to invest in a different resistance band for the exercises (the one provided is too weak for me so I don't get much resistance); learning to go with the pace of the instructor or else the Wiimote becomes unresponsive; and learning to breeze through instructional videos to shorten workout times. Have you learned any other tips or tricks?

Be sure to see how the Green Pixels crew are doing in the challenge as well!

geeksugar's EA Sports Active 30 Day Challenge Begins!

GeekSugar — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:55:01 -0700

Get ready, get set, because I've teamed up with the ladies over at Green Pixels for our 30 Day EA Sports Active challenge! I'm all warmed up after a some fun cardio and strength training exercises, and am excited to see what week two will bring.

Included in the EA Sports Active kit (which costs $57) is the Sports Active Wii disc, a leg strap which will hold the nunchuck in place while you hold the Wiimote, and a resistance band to increase the intensity of certain exercises like bicep curls and shoulder presses. To get started, I was able to create my very own personalized character, customize circuits based on my interest and fitness level and I even got some words of advice from my personal EA Sports Active trainer - Bob Green (as in Oprah's fitness guru Bob Green). This game not only provides you with various workout routines, but that it combines nutrition and lifestyle factors into your challenge as well! And if you have a Wii balance board, Sports Active is balance board compatible - which means you can decide whether you want to include it in your workouts (some days I use it, some days I don't).

Unlike Wii Fit (remember geeksugar's challenge last year?), this game is intended to get you moving and sweating with exercises like cardio boxing, volleyball, squat exercises, cardio dancing and more (tennis is one of my faves!). Let me tell you, the exercises got me sweating so the short cool downs after each workout were very much needed! The intensity you select will determine how long your workouts are (medium intensity routines can range from 25 - 40 minutes).

If you have EA Sports Active it'd be great if you could join our challenge as well! No matter where you are at - starting or finishing your challenge - it'd be great if you could participate. All I ask is that you leave your feedback about the game and some progress notes in the comments below. Keep checking back every Wednesday to read my updates and progress!

Check out how the ladies (and man) over at Green Pixels are feeling after their first few days!

To see more photos of my experience getting started with EA Sports Active just read more.

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Active Life Extreme Challenge Hands-On: Fun and Functional

GeekSugar — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 07:15:55 -0700

When I arrived in LA yesterday, I had no idea that my day would begin with a workout - and I'm not talking about my hotel's gym! I'm talking about the demo of Active Life: Extreme Challenge at the Namco Bandai booth here at E3. Not only is Active Life: Extreme Challenge fun, but it packs a punch too. The minigames you play are unexpected (including street luge, jump rope, wind surfing, and base jumping), and they are surprisingly effective at leaving your abs tingling and your face sweaty.

Although I'm obviously a huge fan of Wii Fit, I'd have to say that Active Life: Extreme Challenge may put up a pretty good fight in the exergaming market, and dare I say, it has the potential to take it over. Why would I make such a statement? Find out when you read more.

Like I said, I love Wii Fit, and although I lost a few pounds during my Wii Fit Challenge, AL:EC has you jumping and leaning in more ways than the Wii Fit did. In terms of sweat factor, I think AL:EC has a leg up on Wii Fit. Plus, since it comes with the controller floor pad (a la DDR), you're set to go right out of the box. Extra bonus? You'll be able to use your Mii's in the game too. Active Life: Extreme Challenge is due out this fall on your Wii.

Stephen Moyer Works His Bod With the Wii and Gold's Gym

GeekSugar — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 07:33:14 -0700

With HBO's True Blood coming back to our screens this Summer, it's only appropriate that Stephen Moyer would want to stay in shape. And given his affinity for all things Wii (well, on the show anyway), of course he's taking advantage of the newest cardio fitness game to hit the market.

Called Gold's Gym Cardio Workout, this game promises to give us a sweat-inducing, fat-melting workout, and Stephen was spotted getting an up-close and personal look at the game during a Wii fitness event held earlier this week in Southern California.

Although I have a soft spot in my heart for Wii Fit, I wouldn't mind giving this game a try - it boasts running, boxing, and other heart-pumping activities, tracks your calories burned and bodyweight, and it's compatible with the Wii Balance Board. Plus, included inside the game is a free seven day pass to your nearest Gold's Gym, so you can check out classes you can't take at home. Spinning anyone?

Patrick McElhenney Photography