Home fitness is a growing trend and
with the interactivity of the Wii’s system, it has taken on a completely new
look and feel. EA Sports is jumping into the genre with EA Sports Active, a
program that comes with resistance bands, a leg attachment for the nunchuk
controller and can be personalized to render out a custom workout regimen.
It all begins with players creating
an avatar, describing the current level of fitness and outlining the desired
goals. The program using the motion sensors of the Wii to track exercises
completed and estimates the calories burned during the workout. It is geared for
the upper and lower body as well as a cardiovascular workout.
The title was shown off (and
demonstrated) at the EA Sports Season Opener held in San Francisco Thursday. It
will hit store shelves on May 19th.
Other features, according to the EA
Sports press release, include:
-
20 minute circuits that feature variety and
familiar activities that target upper body, lower body as well as cardio.
Start off with a run, followed by bicep curls and get your heart beating with
some cardio boxing. Get fit and have fun in minutes a day! -
Your trainer will be the focal point of the
experience guiding you towards your own version of personal achievement.
Feedback will be given throughout your workout, keeping you on track to reach
your fitness goals. -
The game will track your progress as you embark on
a 30-day Challenge and tailor 20-minute workouts to your level of fitness.
Circuits will change as you progress each day, and EA SPORTS Active will track
calories, intensity and progress throughout your journey. -
Slip the nunchuk into the specially designed leg
strap and hold the Wii remote in your hand to track your movements from both
your upper and lower body. A resistance band is also included to increase the
intensity of exercises such as bicep curls and shoulder presses. -
Circuits can be customized to your interest and
fitness level. Choose your duration, intensity level & set your own goals for
calories burned and workout score.
The resistance bands are rubberized
and look fairly well made and can stretch up quick and high. The product is also
compatible with the Wii Fitness Board.
The variety of exercises even goes
so far as to include jogging on a track. The nunchuk, in the leg strap (which is
attached with Velcro), accurately tracks the movement of the leg while on-screen
prompts will tell the user when they have reached the desired jogging rhythm.
Users can also alter the speed of the exercises by setting the ‘difficulty’
level.
There are also video tutorials for
the user.
This looks to be a program that is
in step with current trends in in-home exercise programs. It is easy to set up
and users should be able to achieve results with minimal set-up time.
