Fitness for Geeks
Working out in the comfort of one’s own home is much more enjoyable than going to the gym. It is more convenient, not embarrassing and quicker to stay home for your fitness routine.
Both jocks and geeks prefer to work out at home, but they do it with different equipment. Jocks purchase elaborate weightlifting equipment. Geeks, rather, rely on technology. Here are three programs geeks can use to stay in shape.
My Fitness Coach
My Fitness Coach, a game designed for the Wii, is perfect for geeks who want to track their progress. Users enter standard stats, weight and height, along with more specific measurements, such as bicep, waist and thigh sizes. The software will then create a personalize caricature, specifically made to the entered measurements.
As an incentive, My Fitness Coach includes many unlockable achievements, which are only available after specific goals are met. There are many exercises to choose from, some of which require basic equipment. The routines have built-in warm-ups and cool-downs.
When using My Fitness Coach, the Wii controller is not actually used. This allows users to exercise without awkwardly holding the controller; however, it also means the software cannot tell if the fitness program is actually being completed. There is no verification, so users are completely on their honor. Since cheating at a workout can be so tempting, people might want to consider purchasing a different fitness program for the Wii.
Wii Fit Plus
Wii Fit Plus, which is Nintendo’s own edition of a Wii fitness program, has a mixture of serious exercises and fun games. There are traditional programs, along with fun games, such as hula-hooping on the balance board and juggling while walking. Most of these exercises focus on rhythm and balance, rather than strength training. In fact, there are very few upper body strength training exercises on this program.
By using the Wii Balance Board, Wii Fit Plus verifies your information. Not only does it weigh you and chart your loss or gain, but many of the exercises are also tracked. The software even knows how many times you successfully hoola-hooped. There is no cheating with this program.
To motivate users, Wii Fit Plus charts progress and gives you a stamp for every weigh-in. There are also virtual personal trainers, but they have a very limited vocabulary. Although the trainers are designed to be motivating, they quickly become annoying.
EA Sports Active
EA Sports Active comes with two accessories which the other programs do not have. This software uses a leg strap, which the nunchuck is placed in, to track leg movement. It also uses a resistance band for some exercises. This equipment provides the most accurate record of these three programs, and its program includes some of the most rigorous strength exercises.
This software will track calories burned, although it might be on the optimistic side of reality. Despite the innovative equipment and calorie tracking, EA Sports Active does not chart weight. Whereas My Fitness Coach is designed to track progress, EA Sports Active focuses on getting people’s heart rates up.
Any of these three programs can help geeks get into shape. Each one has its own strengths and weaknesses, so people should consider what they want out of a Wii fitness program prior to selecting one.
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My Fitness Coach
My Fitness Coach, a game designed for the Wii, is perfect for geeks who want to track their progress. Users enter standard stats, weight and height, along with more specific measurements, such as bicep, waist and thigh sizes. The software will then create a personalize caricature, specifically made to the entered measurements.
As an incentive, My Fitness Coach includes many unlockable achievements, which are only available after specific goals are met. There are many exercises to choose from, some of which require basic equipment. The routines have built-in warm-ups and cool-downs.
When using My Fitness Coach, the Wii controller is not actually used. This allows users to exercise without awkwardly holding the controller; however, it also means the software cannot tell if the fitness program is actually being completed. There is no verification, so users are completely on their honor. Since cheating at a workout can be so tempting, people might want to consider purchasing a different fitness program for the Wii.
Wii Fit Plus
Wii Fit Plus, which is Nintendo’s own edition of a Wii fitness program, has a mixture of serious exercises and fun games. There are traditional programs, along with fun games, such as hula-hooping on the balance board and juggling while walking. Most of these exercises focus on rhythm and balance, rather than strength training. In fact, there are very few upper body strength training exercises on this program.
By using the Wii Balance Board, Wii Fit Plus verifies your information. Not only does it weigh you and chart your loss or gain, but many of the exercises are also tracked. The software even knows how many times you successfully hoola-hooped. There is no cheating with this program.
To motivate users, Wii Fit Plus charts progress and gives you a stamp for every weigh-in. There are also virtual personal trainers, but they have a very limited vocabulary. Although the trainers are designed to be motivating, they quickly become annoying.
EA Sports Active
EA Sports Active comes with two accessories which the other programs do not have. This software uses a leg strap, which the nunchuck is placed in, to track leg movement. It also uses a resistance band for some exercises. This equipment provides the most accurate record of these three programs, and its program includes some of the most rigorous strength exercises.
This software will track calories burned, although it might be on the optimistic side of reality. Despite the innovative equipment and calorie tracking, EA Sports Active does not chart weight. Whereas My Fitness Coach is designed to track progress, EA Sports Active focuses on getting people’s heart rates up.
Any of these three programs can help geeks get into shape. Each one has its own strengths and weaknesses, so people should consider what they want out of a Wii fitness program prior to selecting one.
