Game Wii: EA Sports Active

EA Sports Active Review

If you told me five years ago that I'd be working out in front of a video game, I'd have said you were crazy. The gym was the only place to get a real workout, duh.

Yeah. Well. Now I find myself with two very young children and a full-time job. There is literally not enough time for me to go to the gym. And trust me, I have tried. But with driving there and parking and getting changed and sometimes waiting for a machine, never mind the workout itself, the gym is a 2 hour process. No matter my intentions, it just was not happening often enough.

Frustrated, I started brainstorming for solutions. I figured that some exercise would be better than no exercise, and that even on my busiest days I could squeeze in a half hour in my own living room. So I started by buying some exercise DVDs. They were okay, but I'm a pretty clumsy person, and I've always had a lot of trouble following the perfect-flexible instructors you see in those videos. After injuring my knee trying to follow one routine, I figured there had to be a better way.

Enter the Wii.

I dithered for a while, trying to decide between EA Active and Wii Fit Plus. I think I read every single review on both products, which didn't really help at all, since both programs have such fierce defenders and detractors. In the end, I went with EA Active simply to save forty dollars over Wii Fit Plus.

I don't know how I would've liked the Wii Fit Plus, but I do know that I LOVE EA Active, and do not regret the decision for a minute. I was in moderately decent shape when I purchased this game, but from the first time I used it I could feel the difference in some muscle groups. I work up a mid sweat on the "medium" setting, and a serious sweat on the "hard" setting. Is it a complete gym workout? Probably not. But it does burn calories, it does challenge your muscles, and it's fun and convenient. This is then longest I've been able to stick to a routine since my children were born, and in the end that is what matters most. I'm moving, I'm enjoying it, I'm coming back for more. EA Active has met and surpassed my expectations for Wii exercise, overall.

Of course, like anyone, I have quibbles:

. As others have mentioned, the resistance band is wholly inadequate and you'll want to buy a new one.

. The nun chuck wire is annoying. 99% of the time, I don't notice it, but when I do notice it, it's because I'm tripping over it or it's preventing me from doing the exercise properly. This is not EA Active's fault, but it is the single biggest flaw of the game.

. The program does not always register my movements properly. This is a problem with any Wii game - the technology just isn't perfect - but it's annoying to have the personal trainer correct me on something I'm not actually doing wrong.

. There is not an adequate cool down built in to the 30 Day Challenge. A 2 minute walk doesn't cut it, they should really include stretches to reduce the possibility of injuries. This is why I did not give the game 5 stars. The designers of this game can't help that the nun chuck has a cord, but there is no excuse for neglecting the cool down phase.

All in all, those real are minor quibbles. This game is so much more engaging than trying to follow a DVD that is the same over and over and over again. And more effective, in my opinion, because this game gives you feedback on your form and helps you out. Sure, it's not perfect, but at least it's some feedback based on how your biddy is actually moving. As I learned the hard way, you can do a DVD with improper form for weeks, and never know it until you're injured. Add a good cool down and a few other tweaks, and it will be hard to beat this game.

EA Sports Active Feature

Game includes a deep co-operative multiplayer game mode.
Engage in fitness made easy through 20 minute circuits feature a variety of familiar activities that target upper body, lower body as well as cardio.
Follow the guidance, motivation and training tip of your very own virtual personal trainer.
30 day challenge' of tailor made 20 minute workouts, that change as you progress each day, and track calories, intensity and progress throughout your journey.
Gameplay/workout options are extended with the included Nunchuck strap and resistance band accessories, and compatibility with the Wii Balance Board (not included).

EA Sports Active Overview

Revolutionize your workout regimen with EA SPORTS Active, the ultimate interactive fitness program that's designed for you. Get fit with a holistic approach to fitness that combines nutrition and lifestyle factors, with a variety of activities, all from the convenience of your living room. From customized routines that target upper body, lower body, and cardio to a guided 30-day challenge that tests muscle endurance, coordination and agility, stay in shape with fitness made fun and easy.

EA Sports Active Specifications

Developed in collaboration with fitness expert Bob Greene, best known as Oprah's personal trainer, EA SPORTS Active provides a fun, inexpensive and easy to maintain regimen designed to encourage physical fitness and healthy living. A combination of a wide variety of interactive activities and exercises, linked together into an ever-changing circuit training routine targeting the muscles of the upper and lower body, as well as providing cardio for a healthy heart, it is the perfect exercise option for every member of a modern household.

Easy to follow personal trainer.
View larger.

Two women strength training with the resistance band in 'EA SPORTS Active'

Strength training via resistance.
View larger.

Two kids using the Nunchuck leg strap to do cardio exercises in 'EA SPORTS Active'

Use leg strap for cardio.
View larger.

Gameplay
Designed around the standard Wii Remote/Nunchuck tethered controller configuration, EA SPORTS Active's interactive fitness program is more focused on physical activities than previous 'fitness' titles for the Wii, but still challenges you to have fun while developing a more healthy lifestyle. Separated into the three sections of workout, nutrition, lifestyle, and other activity, the user's experience begins with a pep talk from Bob Greene which quickly transitions into the beginnings of action as players set up profiles, choose a virtual personal trainer and enter baseline data like age, weight, gender, fitness goals, etc. Although the nutrition, lifestyle, and other activity sections add a holistic element facilitated by a mix of surveys and data input, building fitness through physical activity is the driving force behind EA SPORTS Active and as such the meat of the content resides in the workout section. Here players will find dozens of themed strength training and cardio workouts which can be customized as you choose and linked into circuit traning routines. These routines are introduced and monitored by your personal trainer, and allow for ongoing player motivation via real-time feedback on your workout form, an approximation of calories burned and the ability to adjust levels of exercise intensity.

Accessories
Although activity in EA SPORTS Active flows exclusively through the combination of the Wii Remote and Nunchuck controllers, it also utilizes a few additional accessories to maximize the functionality of this configuration. The first of these included with the game is the controller leg strap. By attaching this to their upper thigh and then slipping the Nunchuck controller into it, players can utilize the Nunchuck controller's motion sensing capabilities while it is connected to the Wii Remote to monitor their leg movements. This allows for cardio exercises like jogging and cardio boxing and strength training activities like squats. Also included with the game is a resistance band designed to increase the intensity of a variety of exercises such as bicep curls and shoulder presses and lifts. In addition, although not included, the Wii Balance board is compatible with many EA SPORTS Active workouts, but only as an optional added controller configuration.

Key Game Features:

Active Fitness Made Fun & Easy - 20 minute circuits feature a variety of familiar activities that target upper body, lower body as well as cardio. Start off with a light jog, followed by bicep curls and get your heart beating with some cardio boxing.
Benefit of a Virtual Personal Trainer - 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 30 Day Challenge - Take the 30 Day Challenge and experience tailor made 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.
New Way to Play - 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.
Workout Your Way - 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.
Workout with a Friend - Burn calories with a friend as you both workout through routines together in a co-operative mode.
Track Your Progress - Expand your Fitness IQ and keep track of your workouts inside and outside of EA Sports Active with the in-game Journal.
Wii Balance Board Compatibility - Get more out of your EA SPORTS Active workout using a Wii Balance Board with added functionality for many of exercises.