- Type: Exergame
- Platform: Nintendo Wii
- Equipment Included: None (Resistance band and leg strap sold separately).
- Price: $39.95
- Fitness Level: Beg, Int, Adv
- Fitness Challenge: 6/10
How it Works
EA Sports Active: More Workouts is based on the original EA Sports Active but with added modes of play, workouts and 30 new exercises. Like the original game, you can watch your virtual self workout on the screen using the leg strap, remote, Nunchuk and Balance Board to record each movement. In the previous game you had the option of following a 30 day challenge or choose from preset workouts. The new version includes a variety of new options including:
- A 6 Week Challenge - You get 24 preset workouts that intensify over 6 weeks with the ability to choose intensity levels (easy, medium or hard), set workout days and view the details of the workouts.
- Workout Journal - You can track workouts, like the previous version, as well as take advantage of the Weekly Fitness Tracker to compare your stats from week to week.
- Workouts - There are 89 new workouts to choose from.
- New Exercises - There are a variety of new strength, fitness and cardio exercises as well as a series of stretches, which weren't included in the original game. None of the previous exercises are included, which is a little disappointing, but there are plenty of new ones to try. There are also a variety new fitness activities, like an obstacle course and water skiing, as well as new running courses and activities.
Stand Out Features
- New Strength Moves: The strength exercises focus more on compound movements and some incorporate both upper and lower body movements (e.g., squats with biceps curls). The first version included more alternating movements (like curls and overhead presses) which made the workouts tedious at times. There are more double arm movements and a host of other exercises including forward/backward ankle hops, squat with side leg lift, squat and knee raises, one arm reverse flys, triceps extensions, crunches with punches and skipping.
- Fun Fitness Activities: The new fitness activities are the most exciting addition to the game with everything from water skiing to squash. The cardio boxing is fun, requiring you to hit targets or work with a sparring partner and the obstacle course is both challenging and fun. You go through a crank spin exercise, squats, jumps, rafting, stump jumping and more with running in between each exercise. The step aerobics is probably the least exciting, with the advanced version moving at a slow, simple pace that even beginners may find too easy.
- Stretches: Another welcome addition are stretches, which were completely absent from the first game. There aren't many, but you do get a few for the chest and legs.
- The Workouts: Another great addition is the sheer number of workouts. You can choose from a variety of workouts such as 30 minute step, Island Cardio Blast, a 10-Minute workout or a 45-minute Island Adventure Workout. There are upper body workouts, lower body workouts, ab routines and you can also do the workouts from the 6 week challenge.
Pros and Cons
- Variety – Like the previous version, there are so many exercises and activities to choose from (as well as workouts), that anyone kind find something they enjoy. The workouts are fresh, giving this game a staying power that other exergames may not have.
- Responsiveness – Unlike other exergames I've tried, the controllers are responsive to every move and they make it easy to use good form for each exercise.
- Motivation – You can view your progress each day and see how far you’ve come, all while winning trophies and scoring points that keep you coming back to see if you can beat your previous scores. The 6 week challenge is particularly motivating and a great way for beginners to start exercising and progress in a safe way.
- Great for non-exercisers - The program is easy to follow and the exercises are fun, which may motivate non-exercisers to be more active on a regular basis.
Cons
Like the previous game, I don't have many complaints about this one. I did have some problems with the tracking of a few exercises but, for the most part, the game worked even better than the previous one. The workouts may not be as intense for some exercisers, especially because there's no way to hold weights for any of the exercises. The bands do add some resistance but, if you lift weights regularly, these moves won't take the place of standard training. Beyond that, these workouts are a good standalone for beginners and as an add-on to other workouts for more advanced exercisers.
