If you workout from home..

F

fitnesscurious

0
Hi,

I’m curious to meet more people who workout from home... I think lots of people can find working out a bit tedious and sometimes too much like a chore. Myself included :(, I don't really enjoy cardio.


I have a friend that believes working out should be fun and that eventually it will be seen as a game. He pointed out to me that the Wii Fit was extremely successful. I thought about this but even if it was really popular I still think people might get bored.. it seems a bit limited, but I considered buying it myself so I asked other friends who owned it and they agreed, it gets too repetitive.

Anyway, my friend still thinks it is possible to have a video game on your computer that is actually fun and a real workout... I’m not sure.. I looked up a lot of things, few stuff for the PC.. lots of stuff for Wii.

What do you guys think? Would you ever consider working out using a “game” on your computer?

Perhaps you guys have tried “fitness games” already.. I would love to hear more.. some of them get really good reviews on Amazon but I don’t own a Wii and the ones for PC get very poor reviews.


PS: A big part of my workout is good music.. so maybe even a dance game.. thinking about it.. DDR seems like it might be a good options (but the people downstairs would hate me... so I’m holding off on that for now).
 
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fitnesscurious said:
Hi,

I’m curious to meet more people who workout from home... I think lots of people can find working out a bit tedious and sometimes too much like a chore. Myself included :(, I don't really enjoy cardio.


I have a friend that believes working out should be fun and that eventually it will be seen as a game. He pointed out to me that the Wii Fit was extremely successful. I thought about this but even if it was really popular I still think people might get bored.. it seems a bit limited, but I considered buying it myself so I asked other friends who owned it and they agreed, it gets too repetitive.

Anyway, my friend still thinks it is possible to have a video game on your computer that is actually fun and a real workout... I’m not sure.. I looked up a lot of things, few stuff for the PC.. lots of stuff for Wii.

What do you guys think? Would you ever consider working out using a “game” on your computer?

Perhaps you guys have tried “fitness games” already.. I would love to hear more.. some of them get really good reviews on Amazon but I don’t own a Wii and the ones for PC get very poor reviews.


PS: A big part of my workout is good music.. so maybe even a dance game.. thinking about it.. DDR seems like it might be a good options (but the people downstairs would hate me... so I’m holding off on that for now).
Click to expand...

Don't bother with Wii Fit or anything else of that nature unless it is absolutely the last possible option that you'll consider.

I workout from home - usually in my garage.

If you want some ideas have a look at my Blog - it's all free and you just need a sandbag.



[video=youtube;okwf7F_s5Pk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okwf7F_s5Pk[/video]
 
Very cool stuff you got there....

When I was younger I even filled milk jugs and used them as weights :p... worked okay for a little while... I guess the only concern is if this type of thing ever breaks (carpet, would be a mess to clean up).

The sand stuff seems like it might be a bit fun for a while....

I'm still skeptical about fitness games... for you personally what would it have to do to actually make it worth your time? You seem to be very creative in your workouts already so I'm wondering what have you tried already... did you try those things yourself and found them to be very bad (I know reviews on amazon can sometimes be misleading).

EDIT: I think for a fitness game for me to be very valuable.. it would have to interface with a heart rate monitor... and track things and give me live feedback... My heart rate monitor is one of the most useful "workout tools" for me right now.. but it is a bit limited since it is not very high tech.
Thanks
 
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I have the Wii Fit Plus. Its fine for yoga, stretching, and you can get a mild cardio workout on some of the activities.
Its not a long term solution, but it can be a piece of the overall puzzle. Anything that gets people off the couch and moving is a positive step.

it does get boring though, mostly due to no online stuff for the Fit. I don't use it very often...more in the winter when we get snowed in, for something to do.
 
malkore said:
I have the Wii Fit Plus. Its fine for yoga, stretching, and you can get a mild cardio workout on some of the activities.
Its not a long term solution, but it can be a piece of the overall puzzle. Anything that gets people off the couch and moving is a positive step.

it does get boring though, mostly due to no online stuff for the Fit. I don't use it very often...more in the winter when we get snowed in, for something to do.
Click to expand...


Thanks a lot for your response, I sent you a PM, but basically I'm curious about what you mean by "online stuff".
 
I have worked out for over 18 years at home now...I have friends who love the WII fit, but its wayyy too tame for me. Over the years I amassed quite the video library, and I have both Free weights , a stationary bike and a Weider Club Pro machine, plus free weights.

I always lift to good music, but I think its equally important to get outside and breath in the air frequently.

The best rememdy for home workout boredom is to mix things up. Yoga, Pilates, Weights--theres a section at about lifting with no equipment--outdoor circuts, running, walking. You've not only got to challenge the body but the mind as well.

That said the most fun my workouts are as cheesy as it sounds my TaeBo tapes. I've got short to long workouts, bootcamp, resistance band inclusive, and strainght cardio to choose from. And again cheesy, but I've got several 'dance' workouts that really challenge coordination.

The key here is to stay motivated and for me that means taking care of myself, and feeling good!
 
Dance!

Faster_stronger_better said:
I've got several 'dance' workouts that really challenge coordination.
The key here is to stay motivated ...
Click to expand...

Dance. (Everyone does in Africa.) If you are bored add some 'partying'. For guys there is less available but it adds variety. Belly dancing is gud 4 the female belly/pelvis. Sorry, I can't see yer gender.

I meant to reply to the fitnesscurious not Faster_stronger_better.
 
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It is funny to watch people answer the questions that weren't asked.

What do you guys think? Would you ever consider working out using a “game” on your computer?
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1) I think what I please.

2) No.

For emotional implications that would further seem to stop you from working out, please see a psychology forum. Fun isn't required in physical exercise. What is needed is partial or complete exertion of targeted bodily energy systems accompanied with a good, solid brain to manage the consequences that would follow such an exertion.

Thank you,

Eric.
 
I think it is pitiful and sad that people need a game to help them work out or keep them motivated. How about these motivators:

Live longer
Breathe easier
Feel better
Look better
Have more energy
Have better sex, more often (and with more partners)
More self esteem
Get more respect
Get preferential treatment
Cheaper health and life insurance
Did I mention live longer?

People view overweight folks as lazy, gluttonouus. undisciplined and sometimes even ignorant. Do you want to be viewed that way?

Sorry for the rant. But do people need to be 'motivated' or need a 'game' to get out of a burning building or to leave a sinking ship????? Same deal as being fat.
 
I understand what you guys are saying. I mean, I personally think lifting weights is enjoyable in itself.

However I can see how if a "game" is good enough it will get you doing more... like the Wii (until people realized they could play Wii Tennis from their couch).

Thinking about it.. aren't sports just that.. games... do you guys then think that is problematic too? Plenty of really fit people I know just play sports. So, I'm not entirely sure why you guys are so against "video games"? Maybe they just have a negative connotation if you associate them with fitness.. or for me.. they just seem too gimmicky at this point.... or just not good enough.

SXIPro I think the problem is its kind of hard to visualize such long term goals for some people who are really out of shape =/. But just being in good health and not having to worry about potential harms from not working out (including even depression).. would seem like enough of a reason for everyone.. but the truth is (as supported by plentiful evidence), that is not the case t all.
 
People like you and I have been acheiving great things in health, fitness and sports for thousands of years by applying dedication and passion.

Fitness games are just another way for some out of shape company director somewhere to make money out of your ignorance and lack of motivation. There are literally thosuands of ways to improve your health but people love a product - which is why garages the world over are littered with infommercial crap.

And I don't buy the argument about "at least it gets people doing something". Walking is about as basic as it gets, and it is a great starting point for the unfit for so many reasons. And if you can't walk then you need serious help, not the Wii Fit or something similar.
 
Its not worth the money they are asking, I'd only use it if it were given to me and hardly much if that.

Video games are marketed as wondrous to those who are too lazy to get off their ass, but it concludes with those people still on their ass finding some hax way around it and just using their wrist more to complete the moves.

There's so much available to one who looks, that it becomes overwhelming and leaves you still on your ass wondering where to begin.

Maybe sign yourself up to a sport, that will keep you moving and it will be competitive enough to give you the feel of accomplishment after each game. Just don't celebrate with McDonald's or pizza.
 
One could get exercise from a workout game obviously. Any time your moving or doing movements that increase your heart rate for a period of time you are working out. The questions to ask your self are these.

#1 is the particular workout game providing the right workout YOU need right now in life?
#2 did it cost more than some basic equipment you could have bought or a gym member ship?
#3 could you have workout at the same level or higher without it?
and #4 will it provide long term benefits in terms of intensity and motivation?

you can get a bad workout on a $1000 machine in a million dollar gym and an incrediable workout in a 4x4 space with almost nothing.

If it was me i would not buy a workout game. i would however spend it on a few good Dvds, bands, weights, and other things you can keep in yoru arsenal.

I would think a game's first prority is to make the person working out to it have fun. Fun is fine but as long as good workout intensity is not lost. I hold a view that a workout should be short, intence, serious, and focused. it should get a job done. the job of getting you into better shape a week after you recovered from it than you where a week before doing it.

But having a fun game to break up boredom every now and then can be a great thing to have as well.

Just dont let the days go by while NOT working out my friend.

best
dave
 
I workout from home without any weight equipment. I find lots of workout exercises on youtube. I write out my workouts and use variation. Variation is key because if you don't boredom sets in.
There is a place in my home where I can do pullups. I also use bricks when I am doing squats and lunges. I also use a smaller brick to do a pushup which goes into a back row.

They key to me being consistant is knowing what I want and planning my workouts ahead of time. I never heard about the fitness games but I know about fitness challenges.
 
Wow, this is a hot topic.

At the risk of sounding like a fence sitter, I think its great that technology and gaming is moving toward exercise games, but most of them fall short off the mark of providing adequate and effective workouts. On the other hand, for those who are not in the flow of fitness may benefit greatly from such games...initially. IMHO, the best ever fitness game would have to be DDR. I attribute some credit to that game for my footwork.

The thing is we are wired for fun and I aplore game tech for finally evolving beyond the joystick. I just hope it evolves and integrates effectively. For those of us lucky few who have already associated fun from our workouts, I have a theory. We do it, not for results as mundane as weight loss or even muscle gain. No, we base our exercises on movements we enjoy, movements that fulfills enough just doing them, regardless of what effects it has on our bodies. Sure, we might want to do strength pumps or enhance our stamina but we do so because we have a vision of enjoying our activity at a greater and more inspiring level. We want the strength so we can move with more skill, power and speed and we want more stamina so that we can endure what we do for longer and stronger.

Exercise not for health and illnesses that you would like to avoid and abate. Exercise for the expression of the joy of the moves, the sports, the tricks and strengths that inspires you most.

Excuse the spirited speech:), but my point is that so many people are limited to mundane conventional workouts and jogs. The body can move in so many more interesting ways, why not explore them. Between dance, martial arts, a world of competitive sports and extreme games...the variety is surely there to choose from.
 
Working out from home

Hi there, I have been working out at home for years. I used to go to the gym, but found it expensive and boring! I now have a huge collection of workout DVDs. There are so many to choose from so you can really get one that is right for you. A lot of people have the wrong idea that workout DVDs are only for women and are really cheesy (ie. pink leotards and leg warmers)! Well they definitely are not. There are some hard core weight training dvds out there that would challenge any athlete. Bob Harper from the Biggest Loser USA series has a number of great workout dvds for all fitness levels.
I personally haven't tried any computer game workouts, but depending on your fitness level, you might find them a bit tame!
 
Skye1 said:
Dance. (Everyone does in Africa.) If you are bored add some 'partying'. For guys there is less available but it adds variety. Belly dancing is gud 4 the female belly/pelvis. Sorry, I can't see yer gender.

I meant to reply to the fitnesscurious not Faster_stronger_better.
Click to expand...

I do that too. Because I don't have a threadmill or weights at home that is why I do dancing instead.
 
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