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"Great for even terribly fat/ out of shape people" on by esltchr724
Pros: Leg band fits! - even for a size 30 woman like me with large thighs. It's motivating and challenging but not too difficult on the easy level. It adjusts the difficulty next time if I couldn't keep up. All the instructional videos easy to follow.
Cons: It has trouble sensing fast kickbacks, but all else was ok. I don't mind. they're HARD.
I'd recommend purchasing a different resistance band if you have any muscle in your arms at all. Seems like it has no resistance - tho' you can make it shorter.Summary: I am very overweight - (300+ lbs) and am quite inactive. I have tried exercising before, but nothing motivated me. After reading MANY online reviews from all types of exercisers/non-exercisers, I thought I'd give it a try. At first I was nervous that the leg band wouldn't fit because I have a very large thigh (size 30 woman's pant).. However, I was thrilled to find there was a leg band extension. With the extenstion I am able to place the leg band in the middle of my thigh (not at the top, but higher than the knee area) and without I can place it just above the knee. It is tight, but not circulating-cutting tight. So I tried it. Day one of the 30 day challenge I didn't break a sweat. I simply practiced a couple reps each of the many exercises it has. Day two, however, it started. I was sweating. I hated that it made me jump, lunge, stand on one foot, etc. (I knew it was good for me, so I just made myself do it.) Though, I have to say I was able to successfully finish all the exercises each day and have yet to be overly sore as with other exercise routines/videos I've done. I was running. YES, RUNNING the second day. I didn't LIKE it, but I was doing it in my basement. It was awesome to be able to run around and not just run in place. Everywhere I went in my basement it was able to sense my movements. Day 3 was a rest day.. But remember to do your journal or you'll get a 0 in each category. By day 4, I actually started to kinda like running. KINDA. I was jumping, lunging, standing on one leg with confidence. I was able to bend my knees to touch the floor and for the first time in a long time didn't feel like I needed a crane to hoist me up. Every day I noticed something new that I couldn't do physically before. My husband says I have more energy, more motivation and more dedication to workout than ever before. :) Go ME!
So, I have completed one 30 day challenge. I lost 7 lbs, ANDI was on steroids for an illness in the beginning. That I felt was simply amazing. I was in the middle of my second one, and had to pause for a possible fracture in my foot. But I still feel great and can't wait to get back in it! This is good.
After your workout, there is a daily activity log and journal. I highly recommend keeping up with those if you're like me and are super lazy with your eating or physical activity throughout the day. It has actually started me thinking, "I am going to have to report this fast food meal.. Do I have time to eat at home?" My 5 year old enjoys "working out" with me and drags me downstairs when I'm "too tired" to exercise. I have to admit. I have TONS more energy after exercising. Even after a long day at work and running a 1/2 mile-ish.
If you're still teetering, you should know this. I am a sucker for "rewards." They can be virtual or real. Wii Active also gives you trophies for different feats. I've already earned a few. Also, when you realize how LONG it takes to burn 1000 calories, you're less apt to knowingly slam a 1000 calorie fast-food meal. It has changed the way I've thought about food because (however accurate it is or isn't) (I read somewhere that you actually burn double what Wii Active says you do), it gives you a "real-time" calorie burn counter. For all the money I've wasted with get thin books, journals, exercise videos, gym memberships I've rarely used, this is worth every penny. I ABSOLUTELY recommend this to even the most out of shape person. I haven't lost any lbs yet, but I know I've gained strength, confidence and energy. I'm sure that if I'd get my terrible eating habits back in control, I would start losing. BUY IT! USE IT and get back into life! No one needs to be embarrassed to exercise any more because you're fat folds jiggle. Mine do too, but my arm wings are getting toned and less floppy by the day. I wouldn't take the time to write this if it weren't true. I'm a teacher. I eat when I'm stressed. I am stressed 9 months of every year. But now? I'm getting fit. My heart is getting stronger. My stress is going down. I'm sleeping better and I love the fact I'm not feeling like 50 anymore. (I'm 35). Good luck and happy exercising!
Updated on Dec 28, 2009 -
"Good workout especially if short on time." on by TucsonMom
Pros: Design your own is good to get it to a time you need.
Cons: Hard on the knees if you do the lower body workouts. A lot of lunges, squats etc.
Band is not nearly tough enough.
Hard for lefties but you get used to it.Summary: I hold weights in my hands - which is a little hard but that works out better than the bands. Buy a harder band if you are at all in shape.
The remotes are sometimes not recognized when you do the movements - very frustrating.
I am a lefty but you adjust - it's not that big of a deal although I, too, am surprised they didn't think of this - Wii Sports did just fine...
I'm not sure if I believe the calories it tells you but still a sweat producing workout.
Still for a home workout - there is a lot of variety, levels and the design your own is very good. Worth it if you need to work out at home. -
"IF YOU'RE LEFT-HANDED, DON'T BUY IT!" on by msmiddleton
Pros: Graphics are good. Responsiveness is OK. Could be a great product but has major shortcomings.
Cons: Left-handed users can put the nunchuck and remote in opposite hands, but the on-screen character's movement are still right-handed. Also, you need an a large set or an HDTV to read the information on the screen.
Summary: IF YOU'RE LEFT-HANDED, DON'T BUY IT!
It's unbelievable that a company who puts out an otherwise fairly high quality product would neglect and ignore left-handed people. OK. Only 10% of the population is left-handed. But that's one in every ten people. Or one in approximately every three families. EA's answer is that left-handed user can just put the nunchuck and remote in opposite hands. Sounds good but they continue to explain that although it will work, the on-screen character's movement will still be as if it is right-handed. You've GOT to be kidding me. Nintendo can do it. Even Microsoft can do it. But EA can't or won't?!?!? Not acceptable.
Also, don't expect to use it on a 15 in TV unless it's an HDTV. It is impossible to read the information on the screen. I really don't want to hook it up to my main TV. I've been using the Wii on the small set with no problems except for EA Sports Active. Big disappointment -
"Got me off my behind, and now I'm addicted!" on by scully722
Pros: Lots of variety, does not get boring, makes you really sweat, easy to use
Cons: No focus on abdominal area
Summary: I am hooked! And I would never say that about an exercise product. I have pretty much tried every fitness "game" that has been released, and I always became bored within the first couple weeks.
I am just about ready to finish my first 30 day challenge (on easy mode) and I am seeing results! I have more energy, more flexability and more stamina then I have had in a very long time.
The program is very easy to use, is very easy to understand, but you need to pay attention on how you are holding the remote and nunchuck while doing the exercises or they won't register.
I am in a medically monitored weight loss program right now, and in our weekly meetings I have sung the praises of this product. I already know of 2 people who have gone out and gotten it for themselves.
I highly recommend this product to anyone who:
A. Cannot afford a gym membership
B. Does not want to be seen working out in public
C. Gets bored easily doing the same thing over and over again.
Thank you EA for helping me to obtain my goals!! -
"Just enough challenge to know it is working" on by chinagirl49
Pros: Lots of variety in each workout.
Cons: No targeted stomach exercises and the cord between the nunchuk and remote is too long sometimes, too short other times
Summary: I like how each exercise is only a few minutes long so you feel like as much as the squat hold hurts, you can last through it knowng that you'll do something else next. I still use the Wii Fit though for stomach and core exercises (jackknife, plank) as well as for some arm exericses (push-up/side plank). I went and got a stronger resistance band because the one that came with the game was too weak. Overall, really fun and it makes me look forward to working out.
EA Sports Active user reviews (Wii)
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