Have You Tried Exergaming?
If you’ve ever made a Mii, or if you know what DDR stands for, or if you’ve exercised using a balance board, then you’ve probably tried exergaming.
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That’s right, the new style of video game that requires the player to get off the couch and move a little bit has officially prompted a new vocbulary word: exergaming. I’m talking games like Wii Sports, Dance Dance Revolution, and EA Sports.
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This Baltimore Sun article reports that the American Academy of Pediatrics has officially declared that playing these kinds of video games can be considered exercise. Indeed, a recent study in the research journal Pediatrics found that playing the more intense ones – like Wii Boxing – was equivalent to moderate-intensity walking.
Honestly, this doesn’t really surprise me. We own a Wii, and I have definitely worked up quite a sweat beating playing Dave in match after match of tennis, or swinging over and over again in a baseball homerun derby. Indeed, many “relaxing” Friday evenings with the Wii have left me tired and sore the following day! 
But does this really mean that video-game buffs can now swing, punch, and dance their way into decent physical shape, all in front of the television? It’s questionable. Like everything in life, it’s all about balance. Wii Tennis can never take the place of picking up a racket, acing a serve, sprinting across the court – you know, actually playing tennis. Skiing down the virtual slopes will never be as good – both physically and mentally – as feeling the chill on your face at the top of an actual snowy mountain.
In other words, as the article states, “exergaming beats sitting around staring at the screen…but those games don’t provide as much benefit as participating in actual sports.”
Overall, I think exergames are a great way to add a physical component to an otherwise sedentery activity. They also make moving fun by adding the element of playful competition. But they’re never going to replace fitness centers and walking trails. While they make a great addition to a workout routine, there will be always be something special about old-fashioned exercise, no technology required. 
So have you exergamed? If so, which type of exergame did you play? Did you enjoy it?
AND
Do you think people can get a good workout from things like Wii and Dance Dance Revolution?
Themocracy
I have exergamed, but only at a friends house because they have a Wii. As a side note, they just come up with new words for everything these days.
I think if you’re new to exercise then it’s a good way to ease your way into physical activity, but because the exercises are so repetitive the effectiveness would be short-lived.
I love the wii boxing and tennis! I’ve actually used them for exercise, not just fun, and wore my heart rate monitor. I could burn equivalent calories doing them as I could going for a power walk. I think it’s a great way to begin a physical fitness routine because it doesn’t seem like exercise and the intensity is what you make of it.
I have exergamed, and I’ve worked up a pretty good sweat/heart rate by boxing! haha. I’ve seen people get reaaallly into DDR, too. Like you said, though – nothing beats the real thing. I’d usually rather be outside doing anything rather than inside, though I’ll bet I’ll enjoy it more in the winter
At least they’ve made it so you’re doing more than sitting down moving your thumbs 
I’ve played wii sports and wii sports resorts, although they are incredibly fun . . . You REALLY have to come up with a good plan and stay consistent with it.
We have bought exercise program games for the wii like wii fit or the personal training one, but honestly it’s not the same, and it gets frustrating when the sensor doesn’t pick up the motion correctly. Oh and also, the wii fit has no problem at all telling me that I am overweight or that my fitness age is way older then my real one. Not the most encouraging . . . .
Yeah, I’ve heard about that and have steered away from Wii Fit for that exact reason…
I have exergamed, though I didn’t know they had an actual term for it now!! (though I shouldn’t be suprised about that. I think the Wii Fit is a fun way to get a little physical activity in, but you’re right — I don’t think it could (or should!) ever replace actually getting out and doing things, whether that be walking or hiking or even skiing. I do really like games like this though because they tend to get people up and moving who would otherwise be sitting on the couch. And the Wii Fit does have programs for core strengthening and yoga, which I think could be a great way to get started with that type of exercise.
I think exergaming is great for the elderly with limited mobility, but I think parents fall into the trap of believing it’s as good for their kids as running outdoors. I find it frustrating, to be honest.
We have a Wii Fit, and I have played DDR using a friend’s Wii. I really enjoy playing those games and have certainly worked up quite a sweat doing so. But like you pointed out, it’s not necessarily the SAME as getting out there and actually playing the sports. But for a self-proclaimed non-athlete like me, it allows me to sort of be involved in sports I would not be likely to play otherwise.
I haven’t exer-gamed much….I think it has a time and a place, but it definitely doesn’t beat getting active in the great outdoors, especially for children!
I have mixed feelings about this. My Mom taught PhysEd for 35 years and in her last two she received a lot of grant money to buy a Wii and the professional DDR mats. She used this as a “reward” for some of her girls but never made it a part of the curriculum. My parents also have a Wii and I will say, if you do some of the challenges on the Fit CDs, you can break a sweat. I dont think sitting in front of a TV should be considered exercise for kids. But if it’s a form of entertainment that helps them get up instead of watching a movie, then it isnt all bad.
I used to be OBSESSED with “Dance Dance Revolution!” My cousin and I would play for hours on end. The funniest part was always getting our parents to try…it made for quite the laughing fest, that’s for sure
I never really looked at it as exercise, though!
I’ve tried the Wii exercise games before, and I must say that I did not consider them a workout…at all. I’ve never tried the actual Wii Fit, though, but I’d definitely be interested in seeing what it’s all about!
I’ve played the Wii exercise games a few times and really enjoyed them. While I wouldn’t consider exergaming a real workout, I think it’s a fantastic alternative to regular video-gaming. It’s inevitable that kids (and some adults!) are going to be lured in by the marketing tactics, bright colors, adrenaline rush etc. etc. of Nintendo and Play Station. Even if only a fraction of those people trade up Super Mario for Wii boxing, I think we’re making progress.
Also, people who “hate” to exercise might be more inclined to engage in physical activity that they don’t label “exercise.” When I was young, I hated to “workout,” but loved games that got me moving. I never thought of tag, kick the can, soccer etc. as exercise, rather fun things to do with my friends. I think Wii and other exergames may have a similar effect. (However, I agree that running around OUTSIDE is still a better alternative!)
I used to do DDR a lot before I started actually exercising. It probably helped a little, but I didn’t really notice any weight loss until I actually started going to the gym and using the elliptical/treadmill. I agree that they’re better than sitting around playing video games, but they can’t really replace real exercise.
I don’t think people /really/ believe they’re actually exercising when they pop in Wii Sports Resort (though my boyfriend’s aunt was bragging once that she ran five miles in ten minutes on the ‘running course’…we assume she didn’t see the period in front of the five). DDR, on the other hand, really is a workout if you’re one of those folks who can do every song on the highest difficulty. My sweetie was underweight in his teenage years because he would spend hours each day jumping around on that thing.
girl, i am so horrible at video games there’s no way i would be allowed to play! fine by me, i look at a computer screen all day, so i’d rather REAL exercise anyway
I’ve definitely worked up a good sweat and have been sore the next day after wii boxing. I think all movement is good, but exergaming will never replace other types of physical activity for my children. Sorry kidlets…Mama’s still going to drag you out to do some real living!
GOOD!
I’m also terrible at video games! And I’ve never even exergamed. I have yet to play one game on Wii!
I know, I’m so out of touch..hehe.
I say that if people have fun doing that, then that’s great. I’m all for people moving their bodies by doing activities that they truly enjoy.
In the U.S., we mainly look at exercise as a chore or a punishment for consuming too many calories, and that’s really unfortunate. I think everyone should engage in physical activities that make them happy.
Exergaming, I love it! I’ve done Wii (own one!) and DDR…love them both! I really want whatever gaming system is compatable with DDR. That is a killer workout!
I’ve found that exergaming doesn’t burn as much as a real work out. There are too many starts and stops. I feel better when I actually work out.
I’ve had a lot of fun playing Wii Tennis and Bowling but I’ve yet to exert energy in one of the more active games to consider it a workout. I don’t think it would be a good fit for me – I love to be outside!
I’ve had fun playing Wi games but I do not think it’s an acceptable alternative to running around outside. Whether it’s structured sports or just playing with friends outside, I think kids today need more outside physical activity. I know my little brothers sit behind the computer screen and TV for too long. I remember running around outside with all my friends playing ridiculous games not sitting in front a computer or “exergaming”. Though I suppose exergaming is better than no exercise.
My husband gave me a Wii fit for my birthday and I loved it and would log more time in the game that he was. Then we moved to a condo and I can’t do any sort of exercise where I’m moving around because the floors are too thin and squeaky. I’m looking forward to moving when I can bust out the wii fit again.
I think that if someone is a coach potato (like me!) these games are a good way to get people moving and build positive associations with exercise. I don’t think the games will replace strenuous physical activity but they are a good way to move a little bit.
Except for DDR, I have read some articles about people who really get into the game and have lost weight because some of the games can be really advanced and they could “dance” for and hour and really work up a sweat.
I’ve “exergamed” a few times and they do get you moving, but agree that they do not substitute for real activity. I love that companies are trying to promote a sedentary activity into a more active one though. I would much prefer my kids to play a Wii game and move than just sit in front of an XBox.
I started w/ the Wii Fit after I had my 2nd baby and it was a great way to start. I enjoyed and worked up a great sweat – especially w/ the hoola hoop game. It does get easier and I also started feeling bored. I do really reccommend it for moms who are tight on time or someone who wants to start out slowly.
Honestly, I’d like to try the DDR. I’m pretty uncoordinated though and would probably twist my ankle.
I totally understand that some people like exergaming, but I am SO not one of them! I am not at all interested in video games (probably because I stink at them), so the thought of an exercise video game is not appealing to me. I have tried Wii sports, but not Wii fit. I wasn’t a huge fan of the sports–it just didn’t seem at all like the actual sports. Oh well. To each their own!
I actually used to own the Dance Dance Revolution game for my computer back in high school. It was really fun and I worked up alot of sweat playing it. I haven’t exergamed ever since, but that game definitely gave me some sort of workout.
I have played some of these games as well but they just don’t cut it for me. I need to be sweating alot in order to feel like I am getting a good workout in. Don’t get me wrong, I do sweat at times when I play these games, but not as much as I would when I run/etc.
I have never exergamed, but they look like fun. And I would definitely prefer my kids exergamed than sat on the couch and played a “regular” game… But, I wouldn’t necessarily count it as exercise.
I think that anything that promotes physical activity is a plus. However, I do fear that now that seemingly everything has become digitized, we’re all really losing out on our connection with nature. Nothing can take the place of a swim in the lake or a run on a trail. I worry that we start to see exercise as only something more measurable and involving technology (even a treadmill) and lose the connection ourselves and the vast world outside our living rooms.
Ashley I worry about being too digital as well. As easy as it is to pop in a game, fitness DVD, or go to the gym and run on a treadmill I find working out infinity more satisfying when I’m outside.
Peter and I have a Wii (I remember standing out in the cold for it!), and we’ve enjoyed Wii sports, but you’re 100% right that virtual games just can’t take the place of real ones! However, I think that video games are here to stay, and to fit SOME activity in there is a good idea. The ideal would be more actual activity, fewer video games … but I guess we have to be realistic, right?
Sooo much fun, my girls love it!
We own a Wii Fit and it can be fun. I definitely don’t think we have gotten our money out of it though. I do like the hula hooping — you can actually feel it in your abs if you do it long enough! And the yoga is actually pretty challenging as well. One thing about the Wii Fit that can get frustrating is that you can’t do all the games/moves/challenges/etc right away because you have to unlock them. So if you are more advanced you have to go through all the really easy (and not giving you a workout) before you can get to the challenging games!
Also, I used to know people who played DDR and it can definitely be a workout! Some people are super intense!