Interesting excersice idea.

[timmymayes]

I've found for myself that I do not like alot of the aerobic exercises out there, jogging, walking, jumping rope, riding a bike etc. This was always my excuse to not exercise. Luckily I've found a good exercise I enjoy and can do without leaving my house so the weather will never stop me.

I play Stepmania(a dance dance revolution type game that is free for the pc.). I ran an arcade when I was younger and in highschool and we got this game in but I was always skeptical about it and refused to try it. One day a friend who was also skeptical challenged me to a game of it saying I was no contest...well I"m really competitive so it was on. I found the game to be intensely fun and challenging. I also found my self dripping with sweat inside a few songs. I began playing alot at work which eventually got me fired, but I didn't care now I had an exercise tool which I lacked before a big improvement in life.

Previously I played for free at the arcade and after being fired I couldn't justify paying $.75 for only 3 songs. A few years went by and I found stepmania . My total equipment investment was about $30 in equipment for a cheap usb dance pad(Though right now I'm considering a red octane sine I play so much. when I first started I went from about 210lbs to about 160lbs in just a few months. It has a lot of different difficulty and speed settings. And since this is a game designed to be fun you'll be surprised how easy it is to do every day and you might find yourself like me where you don't just play for 30 min you do it until you are worn out. I've been known to play for many hours straight on hte higher difficulties.

Oh I almost forgot aside from tons of stock songs to download it has an editor so you can plug in any mp3 for whatever music you like and make dances for. It is a slow editor style setup and you can even use the keyboard arrows to do this part so if you don't like electronic music you don't have an excuse put in some hip hop, rock, or country. Heck you could even try and affect your subconcsious and put in some speeded up self improvement audio books ;p.

If you have a tough time getting motivated to excercise I challenge you to give this game a try its really helped me.

Cheers,
Timothy

[ztigerb]

Nice. My friends and I play DDR sometimes and a couple of us have invested in nice pads made by red octane and i must say that the competitive nature of playing it with friends can certainly give you a work out. I found that if you really want a workout you can play with weights attached to your legs and wrists (my dad got some weights with velcro straps) and it really works. However, it is important that you stretch and warm up before putting on the weights.

[Mitalp]

Timothy,

Great to hear! That's a very interesting way of execercising. Win Win situation, you play a game and get excercise at the same time. It takes that "chore" mentality out of it. Thanks for sharing.

What fun excercises do others use?

For me it's running. I'm in love with it.

[elainevdw]

Holy cow, thanks so much for the tip! I've been dying to buy a home version of DDR, but the combined cost of the game and the dance pad always makes me hesitate. I'm definitely checking this free version out.

[Jerry K]

I hate going to the gym but it's really the only option where I live in NYC (I can run outside but it's all pavement and concrete sidewalk, not so nice on the knees and back). I've also flirted with spinning (those stationary bikes at the gym) and while it burns a lot of calories I also think the repetitive action was messing with my knees. These days I do 30 - 40 minutes of vigorous yoga in my house either right when I wake up or after writing a bit. I have exactly enough room for my yoga mat between our couch and desk in the spare room. Seems to be working, I look good and more importantly feel really calm and stretched and energized. My two cents!

[timmymayes]

Originally Posted by ztigerb

Nice. My friends and I play DDR sometimes and a couple of us have invested in nice pads made by red octane and i must say that the competitive nature of playing it with friends can certainly give you a work out. I found that if you really want a workout you can play with weights attached to your legs and wrists (my dad got some weights with velcro straps) and it really works. However, it is important that you stretch and warm up before putting on the weights.

I was considering this as the exercise is very aerobic but nominal as far as strength benefits go. I actually tore my ACL when I was in 9th grade and had reconstructive surgery and I'm supposed to maintain my leg muscles to prevent any future issues with a retear which I have not really done. I don't have any problems with the dancing but when I escalate to something more rigorous on my Knee I will need some developed strength and this might just do the trick.

Cheers,
Timothy