These days where it's easy to put on extra weight but the in vogue body type is just left of emaciated, it's easy to have a poor body image of yourself and think you need to drop a few pounds for aesthetic purposes. Frankly, I think this is a bum deal and a lousy reason to exercise. I'm neither fat nor thin and could not care less about how much I weigh, but I do care about my health. I'd also like to have more energy than I typically do. Unfortunately, I lead a very sedentary life. My art requires I sit down at a drawing table, my writing has me sitting at my computer, and my favorite pastimes of reading and gaming have me planted on my butt too.
A while ago I decided that some how, some way, I was going to squeeze exercise into my schedule and stick to it. Of course, I've made such promises to myself before. So, what's a gamer to do? Why, whip out the Wii of course!
When most people add video games plus exercise, Wii Fit is probably what comes to mind. I don't own Wii Fit myself and decided to mix games and fitness together before it even came out. My first pick for aerobic exercise was Dance Dance Revolution: Hottest Party. This is actually my first DDR game as the series has never really interested me before. I would not call my staggering around the dance mat anything approaching dancing. Also, if I ever meet the announcer guy in real life, I swear I'm going to make him eat his own testicles. Regardless of my skill (or lack thereof), it is great exercise and I've definitely worked up a sweat by the end of my regimen. However, DDR mostly works the legs. To exercise my upper body and arms I turned to a different game.
Helix can be found on the Wii Shop Channel as WiiWare. It's an interesting little rhythm game that employs a Simon Says mechanic: mimic what the funky character on the screen does. Time it right to earn points. Check out my embedded video to get the gist and definitely cruise YouTube for videos showing people playing this game. I'm actually enjoying my sessions with Helix more than DDR, but then, I'm a lot more coordinated in my arms than I am on my feet.
Oh yeah, and if you think me waving around a couple plastic Wii-motes is too tame for a proper workout, think again. I wear wrist weights (and I've got ankle weights waiting for the day I become competent at DDR).
Related Links:
Watcha Playing: Castlevania - Portrait of Ruin
The 61FPS Review: Wii Fit Part 1
Whatcha Playing: A Little Singin’, a Little Dancin’