Although there are countless people who enjoy working out at the gym or going for a run every day, healthcare and fitness are not things that everyone finds fun or interesting. Many people struggle to find the motivation they need to stay physically active on a daily basis. That’s why it’s no surprise that the gaming industry has targeted this audience with a multitude of video games that promote exercise and wellness. If you or a loved one has a hard time focusing on fitness and you own a gaming console, there are a number of games on the market that could be your ideal step toward a healthier lifestyle. Video games provide a variety of options that range from more serious programs that track eating habits, exercise, and weight loss to games that are more laidback and just keep the player moving. The concept of using video games for exercise has appealed to a highly diverse audience-from children to busy adults to senior citizens.

Innovative technological advances in the gaming industry have allowed for many breakthroughs in fitness games. For example, Wii Fit Plus, a game released by Nintendo, comes with a special controller called the Wii Balance Board. The balance board is placed on the floor and can be used like a scale to measure weight and body mass index. It can also be used for balance exercises. The game incorporates an extensive array of balance games, yoga exercises, strength training, and cardiovascular activities. Similarly, Microsoft has developed a device called the Kinect for the Xbox 360, which uses motion sensors to detect the player’s movements. PlayStation 3 has a similar device called PlayStation Move. These technologies opened the door to a plethora of interactive workout games, such as Your Shape: Fitness Evolved, The Biggest Loser: Ultimate Workout, and the ever-popular Zumba Fitness. These games provide the experience of following along with a workout instructor, like on a DVD, while the Kinect or PlayStation Move tracks movements for accuracy. These games are useful for people of any age or ability level because their workouts and games can be customized for difficulty.

While reaching certain goals or unlocking Xbox achievements might be enough motivation for some people, there are others who are still unlikely to follow through with these fitness games, though, because they too closely resemble a typical workout routine at the gym, which they simply do not take pleasure in. There are, however, plenty of games that involve physical interaction without necessarily needing to be categorized as fitness games. For example, games that involve dancing, like Dance Dance Revolution or Dance Central, could fall into this group. Even though some dancing games track calories and monitor weight loss, others are solely for fun and revolve around beating high scores and playing with friends. Sports games are another example of fun, active games. There are a surprising number of sports games out there that utilize the Kinect, PlayStation Move, or Balance Board. These games might not be as intense as the fitness workout games, but they will still keep the player active and moving. You can find games relating to any sport: soccer, boxing, tennis, volleyball, archery, cricket, or even white water rafting. When it comes to health, even games with minimal movement are still more interactive than those that use regular game controllers. For example, there are Nintendo games that involve throwing darts or tossing hoops with the Wii remote controllers, which respond to motions instead of just button tapping. Even more traditional action/adventure games can use the Wii remotes or the PlayStation Move controllers for swinging swords or aiming weapons.

So, as technology improves the video game industry, it’s becoming quite clear that playing games no longer has to equate to sitting on the couch like a potato. In fact, studies have shown that these games can be used to successfully improve overall health and fitness.

Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to innovative technologies in healthcare.

Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to http://www.marketwatch.com/story/laser-spine-institute-partners-with-marodyne-medical-to-offer-the-latest-in-low-intensity-vibration-science-2013-02-19 innovative technologies in healthcare.

Author Bio: Taylor Thomas is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Mr. Thomas is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to innovative technologies in healthcare.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
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