Consumer Reports Tests Exercise Video Games
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Playing video games used to be anything but a workout. Then came "motion gaming" and that changed everything.
Now, there are video games specifically designed to help you get in shape.
Consumer Reports tried them out to find out which ones can help you go from couch potato to beach ready.
There are lots of video games on the market that are advertised as a fun way to get fit.
Consumer Reports checked out five: Nike Plus Kinect Training, Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2013, Just Dance 4, UFC Trainer and Zumba Core.
They cost anywhere from $20 to $50 dollars.
Consumer Reports hooked up a monitor to measure their tester's heart rate while playing the game.
"All the games aren't equally effective. Some of them are a lot more strenuous than others and provide a real fitness challenge, whereas some of them are more just party vampire games and really don't provide a great workout," Matt Ferretti from Consumer Reports said.
They found Nike Plus Kinect Training and Your Shape will give you tougher workouts, while Just Dance 4 is less grueling.
The gaming console you use also makes a difference in how much of a workout you get.
"The Xbox is going to be the most effective for these types of games, because using the Kinect, the camera can actually track your full body's movements, whereas with the Wii U or the PlayStation 3, it can only see the controller, not your full body. So, it's easier to kind of cheat the system, and it's not tracking your body as accurately."
If you're looking for a game that can give you a tough workout, try Nike Plus Kinect Training.
For a good cardio workout that also provides some fun, Consumer Reports recommends Zumba Core.
The quick dance steps get your heart rate up and keep it interesting.
Zumba Core is available for Xbox Kinect, which does the best job of making sure you get a good workout.
However, if you have a Wii U or Sony PlayStation, it's available for those, too.
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