First Gaming Fitness Arcade Opens in CA

Turismo writes "In an effort to convince teenagers to exercise, one entrepreneur has started a 'fitness arcade' in California that lures teens with movement-based videogames, WiFi, and study lounges. Should kids be getting even more exposure to media when they workout?" From the Ars Technica article: "When asked whether incorporating gaming into a workout routine was sending mixed messages to adolescents whose free time is often consumed by video games, instant messaging, and TV watching, Ferrell said that the approach Overtime Fitness is taking was necessary. 'In some ways, we're waving the white flag,' he admitted. 'But if we went the opposite way, they would be far less likely to jump in.'"

Re:Great Idea

[andykuan]

For starters, you could buy a DDR pad [stepmania.com] and hook it up to the computer then map the front/back/left/right arrows appropriately and perhaps use the corner arrows for particular talents associated with foot movement (like Charge for Warriors). Maybe use a second DDR pad mounted in front of you that you can hit with your hands to trigger other talents associated with hand movements. The only really tricky thing is figuring out how to implement mouse-look -- a handheld mouse might work or perhaps some gigantic adjustable resistance joystick [powergridfitness.com].

Re:I can't be the only one

[eln]

And as the GP alluded to, most people quickly realized that the best way to win with the Power Pad was to pound on it with your fists.

some schools are already doing this.

[GlenRaphael]

If the government had ANY, I repeat ANY sense at all, they'd look into this, and support or fund, to stem the apparent obesity epidemic the media is reporting on among America's youth. Is there? Really?

The government is already on this bandwagon. Local grade schools are using Dance Dance Revolution as part of a physical exercise program. West Virginia has it in all 765 public schools [joystiq.com] in the state.

If you're interested in following this issue, let me humbly recommend my blog [videogameworkout.com].

Disclaimer: yeah, that was a blatant plug.

Re:It beats watching TV at the gym

[GlenRaphael]

There was an arcade game called "Sky Cycle" about ten years ago,

The game was actually called PropCycle [videogameworkout.com]. You drove a pedal-powered hanglider. You could coast in stretches, but stop pedalling for too long and it stalls.

Re:sword fight game?

[Quikah]

Mazan [klov.com]? I have played it at Dave and Buster's, the sword is made of styrofoam or something, weighs maybe 5 ounces, not 5lbs. Fun game.