Wii and Co .: Exercise while playing!
The aerobics hour to go, the dance studio in the living room, the tennis court in the built-in wardrobe. For all game consoles there are now sports programs. And compared to workout DVDs, they are a decisive step further: we are no longer alone. Camera and sensors observe our movements, and virtual trainers blame failed exercises and praise successes. That awakens the playful ambition far more than a jumping Jane Fonda off the line, experts have noted. And so the cyber home sport is already booming. "This trend is also explained by the ubiquitous lack of time," says Antje Schünemann from the Hamburg Trend Office. "Everybody is scheduled 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and we only get fitness when we use gaps in between." But is that really sport when you wave a remote control like a tennis racket? "It does not need to be that critical." The fact that the games arouse the desire for movement is a very positive effect, "says Felix Matthäi from the German Sport University in Cologne. So if you have fun with fitness-daddling, you should register for a real training course. Because the console workout alone does not make us a sports professional, but is above all a game: You would not even think that you have the makings of real estate shark, if you win the Monopoly.
That's pretty motivating
Anne Otto, a freelance journalist, tests yoga with the DS console
The small console looks like a glasses case, and it fits just as well in my purse. That way she is always there, I open my little computer in the office, in the park and at home. Mostly for 20 minutes, middle level. The yoga instructor on the screen is a bit like the esoteric sister of Lara Croft, but the point is, she's here. She turns to me, gives yoga exercises a rhythm, breathes in and out with me, praising my attempts with "well done". If that's really true, she can not know. "Let's Yoga" is a simple computer game that does not measure whether you have held out an exercise or lost your balance in half. Nevertheless, it motivates you to collect points for agility, energy and balance, and the graphics are so perfect that you learn a lot quickly. Only downside: The voice with the yoga instructions is in English.
I am younger after the training
Antje Kunstmann, ChroniquesDuVasteMonde employee, tests the WiiFit Balance Board
"I'm lying at your feet," the plastic disc greets me and then quickly becomes naughty: 54 is my WiiFit age - a good two decades more than I count! At the first equilibrium test, I only wobbled for a short time, but the pressure sensors noticed it anyway. So I have to do something for my balance. My Mii, this is my alter ego on the screen, is allowed to jump skate, jog, train his, so also my muscles and rehearse the yoga sun salutation. Without making a big effort, I will eventually feel my body in a pleasant way. And it is also funny when I miss the jump again and my Mii in a snow globe, the ski jump down. But do I really want to work out that way? I would soon be tired of the bad graphics. But my sporting ambitions disappear earlier anyway: After four days my Mii is already younger than me.
A nagging pixel heap
Annette Simons, Deputy ChroniquesDuVasteMonde Art Director, tests "Eye Toy Kinetic Kombat" for the Play Station
The beginning is still: I am trying energetically to make the same movements as the computer-animated martial artist in front of me. A camera projects my experiments onto the screen so that I can always compare myself immediately with my model. My impression: That's fine. But the coach disagrees: bad! When I finally lie completely finished and sweaty in front of the TV, makes my coach, who just promised to motivate me, then still derogatory remarks. My relationship with the nagging pixel heap worsens with every practice day even after my computer-loving children tested technology and camera. At the same time I have already brought it up to the green belt in real karate. By the way: The highest score I reach then sometime in a duel, as I rumboxe rather indiscriminately in the air. , ,
Do not think, dance!
Nikola Haaks, ChroniquesDuVasteMonde Head of Health, Diet, Fitness, is testing "Dancing Stage Universe" for the X-Box
What does this bad James Brown blend of me want? "Do not think, just dance," a voice croaks, and James wiggles lasciviously with his computer back. I'm standing in front of my TV on a crackling plastic mat with painted fields, in which I'm supposed to put my feet. The virtual James makes it on the screen or from the bottom upwards Thousands of arrows illustrate the step sequence. I stand with loose hips and start with the mode Basic Edition. If you accidentally enter the right field at the right time, there is a "perfect!", If you are too slow, there is a "boo". But dancing does not have much to do with that. The arrows are much too fast, my movements woodcut-like, the program is too confusing. Maybe you need a lot of training - just like in real life. I resign. "What are you waiting for?", The squeaking voice calls. Oh, leave me alone, James!
I get a silver medal
Sinja Schütte, Chief Editor ChroniquesDuVasteMonde Balance, tests the WiiFit Golf, Tennis, Boxing
I can not do it! Not the training is so exhausting - to get to the Wii creates me. My husband is always there. But men are vain, so he finally lets me in on the prospect of defeating me. I pick up the Wii Remote, put the loop around my wrist, and step onto the virtual golf course. I can choose my clubs and make a few test swings. The Wii shows me with graphics and an acoustic signal how crooked and far my beat is - very crooked and not very far. But when it gets serious, my ball flies straight and wonderful far on the fairway, where he should go! Now the man is by my side, actually a much better golfer than me, and he messes it up, the ball lands in the grass, the next blow goes too far and so on. At the end the Wii gives me a silver medal and my husband demands revenge - this time he wants to play tennis. , ,
