So much better than working out with Wii Fit. Just started the 30 day challenge and I am very impressed with the variety and intensity of the workout!
EA Active has improved upon the Wii workout experience greatly. I own Wii Fit and several other cardio workout programs. All have an ability to make a simulated character and set specific goals. What Active does that no other program does is let you set your very own workout and then stack them up one after another so there is no waiting time between exercises like in the Wii Fit. You don't get scores for every segment but have a routine without stops and starts. In 20 minuntes, I could do 5 yoga moves on the Wii Fit. In 20 minutes, I can get a complete workout on Active.
I have had this for over a month now and find I really enjoy working out. I look forward to the combinations in the 30 day challenge and can add specific exercises in the custom workout section. This is a fantastic addition for someone like me who cannot do some types of exercise because of medical conditions (for me arthritis brought on by years of running and bad genetics). I am in shape, in my early 40's and lead a fairly active lifestyle. I simply cannot do every exercise. In the Wii Fit, I could avoid the running and hula hoop which left me only with the step section for cardio. I did step 176 times in one month trying to get at least 30 minutes of cardio. It became routine, monotonous, and didn't really get my heart pumping. With Active, there are so many options that don't involve running and jumping that I can have a varied workout experience and still get a great workout. It is a great feeling to need a shower when I finish.
Active suggests you take a rest day after 2 days of working out. I don't do this. I work out 5 days a week when I am in town, which is about every other week. This brings me to the only downside of the Active program. It is not meant for people who travel. Even though I exercise in hotels, the Active does not count this so I look sedentary on the graphs. I can add other exercise, it even encourages it, but it's meaningless in making your goals. I have learned to work around this by setting two week goals that include only time I am at home. For instance I set 8 workouts in 14 days. A future improvement would be better integration of multiple workout methods. If runners could add miles, weight lifters could add reps, and swimmers could log laps, it would be ideal.
If you have been working out with weights, even light ones, be prepared to buy your own resistance band. The one that comes with the game is not sufficiently challenging. A $10 band from Giam solved this easily. I am far from muscular but like having some real resistance without having to make layers of plastic banding on the floor like the video instructions. That's not the game's fault, making one band for every potential user is impossible. I like that they erred on the side of caution and make something that beginners will enjoy.
Give yourself a few days to learn the techniques behind the moves. I was frustrated the first few days when my movements didn't register. Learning where to point the Wii remote makes all the difference. I have read a few reviews where this was the main pain point. If you consider it a learning curve instead of a game weakness, you'll have a better experience. Just as we have to learn new strokes in swimming or gain proficiency in a new sport, this game takes a few days of doing it wrong before you get the hang of it. All said, it is much easier to learn than golf. :-)
If you have special needs, physical limitations, or strong preferences, this is a great game for you. Take time to get to know the system, check and uncheck exercises, make your own workout...don't be shy. The system is made for everyone. Make it yours and enjoy!
I really enjoy this game. I've been trying to get back in shape and lose some weight so I decided to give this a try and loop it into my weekly work outs. I was very pleasantly surprised when I popped in the disc the first time! You can choose from a ton of preset workouts depending on how long you want to work out, what level of intensity you want, what part of your body you want to exercise (upper, lower, both, cardio, etc..) or you can customize your own workout. I was surprised mostly by how much i sweat while using this game. It really gets you moving by mixing cardio with strength exercises and some fun games like volleyball and baseball. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a true work out in the form of a Wii game.
"The game is user friendly and helps you develop a habit of exercise. Loving it."
"This is a good workout vidio game if used right im sure it would help you lose lots of weight."
