I just read this article on msn.com, what do you think?
Video Game Fitness Systems the Wave of the Future?
Powergrid Fitness told the gaming world recently that it has signed a deal with Gold’s Gym to start making the Kilowat video game fitness system available. The video game controller is manipulated by movements of the entire body. This raises the metabolic rate and helps burn more than 350 calories per hour.
“Hard core fitness facilities, like Gold’s Gym, YMCA, JCC, and others are now recognizing that innovative interactive workout products like Kilowatt are the future of the fitness industry,” said Greg Merril, President of Powergrid Fitness. “Powergrid’s technology is making being a couch potato a physically demanding sport.”
“Electronic entertainment is thought of as being one of the major contributors to this nations obesity epidemic,” says Deana St.John, General Manager of the Charlottesville, VA based Gold’s Gym, who placed Kilowatt’s in her facility last month. “With ‘entertainment’ products like Kilowatt, electronic entertainment is now part of the solution.”
350 Calories doesn’t sound like an awful lot to burn for an hour. I burn more than that on a 1/2 hr elliptical at about 120 heart rate. Now if they came out with something about twice that burn, I’d start to pay attention.
But I suppose, if it gets people of those fat butts…
I tried the Power Grid at the last Consumer Electronics Show. All you do is generate dynamic tension to move your ship/car forward. The “action” you’re physically performing does not have much to do with what you’re seeing on the screen and does not come off that well.
Dance Dance Revolution is much better and a lot of fun, though it’s cardio only
Dance Dance Revolution is much better and a lot of fun, though it’s cardio only[/quote]
If you have a PS2 to USB converter, and hate J-Pop, go to stepmania.com
One thing I like to do is set the controller on the floor and do pushups so that my nose hits the start button.
But to be honest, the Kilowatt ain’t worth it. If they had it at a local gym, then yeah, but for personal use…A weight set + bench will only run you $200
Hi Guys
I been working in gyms for over 20 years and have seen several attempts at manufacturers trying to develop and market fitness machines with a gaming element.
The gym I currently run has a couple of Exertris bikes (basically a bike with an X box attached), the games are interactive as in you have to pedal faster to move your spaceship or whatever but still not that popular, people think they’re cool but still don’t use them.
Exertris has unfortunately gone the same way as Tetrix (I think that’s what they were called, my memory’s a bit fuzzy) and are no longer in business.
It seems to me that the major players in Europe are only interested in using TV, DVD, and perhaps internet as a way of appealling to the general public, strangely gaming hasn’t taken off so far which I think is a shame as anything that get people moving has to be good.
[quote]Youch wrote:
Hi Guys
I been working in gyms for over 20 years and have seen several attempts at manufacturers trying to develop and market fitness machines with a gaming element.
The gym I currently run has a couple of Exertris bikes (basically a bike with an X box attached), the games are interactive as in you have to pedal faster to move your spaceship or whatever but still not that popular, people think they’re cool but still don’t use them.
Exertris has unfortunately gone the same way as Tetrix (I think that’s what they were called, my memory’s a bit fuzzy) and are no longer in business.
It seems to me that the major players in Europe are only interested in using TV, DVD, and perhaps internet as a way of appealling to the general public, strangely gaming hasn’t taken off so far which I think is a shame as anything that get people moving has to be good.
Regards Chris[/quote]
I think we are in trouble the moment we need that much entertainment just to hit the gym on a regular basis. It means that as soon as people become bored with this technology, someone else will have to do even better. The end result is some artificial environment where you get to think you are actually at home sitting on the couch eating cookies while you are on the treadmill.
I guess if that gets dull, they can switch it so you get to drag your artificial “virtual” fat ass to the gym and attempt to find an empty treadmill…all while already being on a treadmill.
I stopped reading when they mentionned ‘hardcore facilities’ and named Gold’s and YMCA…
Just so much BS, IMO. I agree with what Prof X said when he mentionned the level of entertainment needed for people to hit the gym. This isn’t a party, it’s a workout.
I think we are in trouble the moment we need that much entertainment just to hit the gym on a regular basis. It means that as soon as people become bored with this technology, someone else will have to do even better. The end result is some artificial environment where you get to think you are actually at home sitting on the couch eating cookies while you are on the treadmill.
I guess if that gets dull, they can switch it so you get to drag your artificial “virtual” fat ass to the gym and attempt to find an empty treadmill…all while already being on a treadmill.[/quote]
Hi Prof
Fundamentally I agree with you; as another poster said it?s a workout not a party but if there is a gimmick that will get the average person into a gym and move their body more than they normally would then it?s got to be a good thing.
It would be really fun to have a VR Boxing game as cardio. Even though we probably don’t have the technology or would be willing to spend enough money to make/buy a good one right now.
The DDR thing makes otherwise totally fat anime fangirls into total hotties, instead of watching anime 10 hrs a day soem do it for 10 hrs a day so say even 200 calories for ten hours is hyuge , and yeah I do know some whowere that addicted to DDR
[quote]Phatshady912 wrote:
It would be really fun to have a VR Boxing game as cardio. Even though we probably don’t have the technology or would be willing to spend enough money to make/buy a good one right now. [/quote]
Actually there is a pretty good boxing arcade game. It involves some gloves and a motion sensing overhead. It has some flaws but is at least somewhat interesting. It actually factors how much force is behind your punch into the gameplay. Unfortunately there is no 4-part version for kickboxing.
Yeah, Mo-Cap Boxing. It is pretty good overall. The one disappointment is that the fighter shows no reaction to your punches if he’s not vulnerable at the moment.
Police 911 and Police 911 2 use the same technology and pull the simulation aspect off better.
Yeah, Mo-Cap Boxing. It is pretty good overall. The one disappointment is that the fighter shows no reaction to your punches if he’s not vulnerable at the moment.
Police 911 and Police 911 2 use the same technology and pull the simulation aspect off better.[/quote]
I really like Mo-Cap boxing. It definetly makes you counter punch, but its a whole lotta fun. Played it two or three times through and I was sweating like a pig and breathing hard.