Video Games in Gym Class - DDR 101?

Saige writes: "When I was in school, gym class was basketball, running laps, and icky locker rooms. Today, kids get to play video games - and get credit for them! No, it is not as bad as it seems. Apparently, someone has become clued in that Dance Dance Revolution promotes physical activity, and a school in California is making use of that. Can I go back and retake gym?"

Comments

Remember the old NES mat?

[peterdaly]

This is not that much different than the "mat" for the track and field game that used to be available for the origional NES (Nintendo).

Used to be pretty good excersize. I remember working up quite a sweat as a kid on one of those, I can see why it may be used gym. After two days of using it, my parents made me take in down the basement to play it. :-)

Ahh, the memories...

-Pete

One more comment

[OpIv37]

I forgot to mention this in my previous post-

I attended public high school (back in the last century). Our gym equipment was pathetic, particularly the weightlifting equipment and the sports balls. They even had lacrosse sticks that appeared to be made out of bamboo. Public high schools should buy basketballs that still bounce and soccer nets without holes in them before they spend $8000 on a video game.

Dude, get a life or something....

[Brian_Ellenberger]

I'm sorry, but high school sucks enough without arrogant liberals like yourself trying to suck every last pleasure out of life. Come on, being able to get a freakin SODA POP at school shouldn't be a controversy.

"raise money for the school (and large companies)."

Or maybe they are there because people enjoy drinking soda. Please stop seeing life through a narrow Marxist lense. Gosh, Heaven forbid people buying things and enjoying them. Must be a conspiracy...

Brian Ellenberger

Re:A better way

[Rayonic]

> This video game thing is pathetic. This country goes more downhill every year.

(I've quoted you because I'm sure you'll get modded into oblivion in a second.)

Anyway, your comments are short-sighted. I don't see this video game being any more idiotic than chasing some ball around a court, or hitting a ball with a stick and running around a diamond. The only difference is that it's easier for "non-jocks" to get into, more immediately gratifying, and teaches you rhythm.

It's amazing how many people aren't willing to try a new thing. I mean, isn't innovation what made [insert your country of origin] great?

Re:On topic

[SuiteSisterMary]

I think this is the cheeze wiz of excercise, with the added bonous of producing somone who can hold their own on a dance floor.

Exactly. How is this any different than a treadmill? Or an exercise bike? Or step aerobics? Answer: It's more fun. It provides immediate feedback and encouragement. It gives you a TANGIBLE goal to work towards; the next level, the next song, unlocking something cool, whatever.

Re:A better way

[Saige]

I've been doing a treadmill for 3-5 times a week for a year and a half. I can jog a decent amount of time without even breaking a sweat now. I'm not in amazing shape, but definately doing pretty well.

I played a game of DDR, and was starting to sweat at the end of the 5th song. My legs were noticably tired also. It is not a poor-quality workout. Sure, there are better ways if a workout is your only goal - but this is nothing to blow off. Especially the harder levels, which look a hell of a lot tougher than even my treadmill, due to the constant shifting of a person's weight and center of gravity.