Today's workout = Video Games!

Lol I remember a long time ago I used to think an hour of playing DDR when it was too rainy to go cycling or running was a good substitute...

Then I used Calorie Burning mode, and it estimated that I burned like 400 calories in an hour of non-stop play. I then realized how ineffective it was lol.

At least the game is fun though...

Its not about the calories, and it doesn't have a good algorithm for determining it anyway AFAIK.  I think it is based on weight X time and has little to do with intensity.  BIG difference between walking through a "5" and tripping over your own feet trying to do strings of triplets and 16ths on an "11."

I spent the better part of the night playing heavy, intense songs that I couldn't finish.  Probably could compare it to making short sprints while out for a jog.

Even with a fan on me, I feel like I sweat a lot more playing that than riding my bike.  I drink about the same amount of water too.

Feels good to mix it up as well.  (Which reminds me, I need to fix one of my Rollerblades...)

-eric

My guy does this occassionally - hilarious watching him on the trainer with the PSP ... one time, he actually got off the trainer so he could finish a hard level! Too funny.

I also love DDR - way too much fun and uses muscles in a way that most of don't in tri training - my calves always feel it from jumping around!

I lost my first 20 lbs using DDR and In the Groove at home. At first it was just a soft mat, but now I have a full metal arcade style pad with another soft mat on plywood for the guests. My 90 year old grandma has tried it, and both my aunts went out and bought PS2s so they could play.

I have about 1000 songs on my laptop (stepmania) and have done one step chart myself.

It boggles my mind that Sony hasn't given us any options for the PS3, yet the wii and 360 have games.

If you're fat, and like video games, give it a go.

I had a camera with me today at the warehouse.

Shot a video of myself playing a long obnoxious song that was a popular choice back at the arcade. I could NOT play selections like this a year ago, but with my increased fitness tougher songs have become playable for me.

This particular song I have 'beat' several times now, and have actually posted scores on the machine that knocked off some of those by regulars back at the store.  Today was good enough to post top 10, but not one of my better attempts.  (Pretty sloppy actually, but meh.)

Here's the link, but be warned that it is not for the squeamish:  I'm not wearing a shirt and I still have a lot of weight to lose. 

Also its an older camera, so the quality is pretty low. But still, for the curious, here 'ya go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjP_Rzqx2Jw 

-eric 

What a great way to convince the wife to let me by a trainer!  Then I can kill two family time killing birds with one stone which means she complains half as much!

Edited by jonathan.evitts 2010-07-29 7:47 PM

Start buying pieces to 'build' your own trainer.

Make a big mess in the process.

See if a trainer magically appears.

-eric 

Fixed that for you. LOL.

Brilliant! My plan for this winter was to watch movies (and do intervals, for example step on it when zombies are on screen with Zombieland) but there's only so much trainer-ing you can do just watching tv or movies. Video games though...

I spent over $200 on summer at the arcade on DDR.  Doing no other kind of exercise I was able to run a sub-20 minute 5k in August just from DDR training

When I saw the post title I was really expecting the OP to talk about Starcraft 2.  Kinda tough to play that one while exercising though. 

Have you guys seen those horse racing simulation machines in the arcades? Now THAT is a core workout..