Top 5 Fitness Video Games

Modern video game consoles provide numerous opportunities to move exercise out of the gym and into the privacy of your living room.  But are these products worth it, and do they provide users with a good work out?  The answer, surprisingly, is YES!

Depending on the product, the game not only records how well you performed the routine for that day, but also keeps a running tab of how much you improve over time.  What follows is a list of five of the best fitness games:

5. EA Sports Active 2 ($39.99): This game is available on all three consoles (Wii, Xbox 360, and Playstation 3) and has a good number of exercise routines to keep you fit.  Having more than seventy exercises and a regimen spanning nine weeks, the game is great for anyone who wants to start exercising.  The game comes with the equipment needed, but suffers from one nagging drawback: There is no attempt to hide that you are exercising.

4. Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2012 ($39.99):  This Xbox 360 title uses the Kinect and has a lot of different routines to keep you moving.  Other than the Kinect, nothing else is required to play this game.  The game keeps track of your progress and includes strength training exercises like push-ups and in different styles, making it a well rounded exercise platform.  Users might be entertained, but there is not attempt to hide that the game is all about exercise.  That is a downside unless you are trying to compete against your personal best or others in the household.

3. Just Dance (price varies): Another series that is available on all three consoles.  Really any one of the titles in this series is a great workout.  Not only do the games have different levels of difficulty by song, but they can be done as group activities.  There are also kids versions of the game which makes it a family-friendly activity as well as a great way to get in a good workout.  The Playstation 3 version requires the use of the Move Motion controller (sold separately), the Xbox 360 requires the Kinect, and the Wii just uses the controller that comes with the console.  What places this series in the #3 spot is that it is fun and you won’t care that it’s exercise.

2. Punch-Out!! ($19.99): This game for the Wii is just fun.  What makes this title stand out as one of the best exercise games is that it adds more functionality to the feel of shadowboxing that was available in Wii Sports.  In addition to dodging and blocking, Punch-Out!! actually tracks if a punch is a body blow or an uppercut.  Add the optional Wii Fit balance board ($99.99) for a more intense experience.

1. Dance Dance Revolution (price varies): Also available for all systems.  Since the game requires the mat that serves as the controller, you’re better off buying the bundle to get the controller and the game at a lower price.  It’s a party game where everyone gets to sweat to the music.  The sheer fun alone makes this series worthy of the top spot.  The goal of that all-elusive perfect round ensures players will be back for more.  The game records top scores, but does not track fitness, hiding that players have to work out to beat the best score.

Aaron Gormley loves a good fitness regiment but also loves his greasy food, which is why he writes on behalf of http://www.pizzadelivery.org.