It seems like 2015 is bound to be the year that tech and fitness grow even closer together. There are several great new options on the market that combine fitness bands with game-like apps to turn your workout into a video game. Most of them can be played on devices you may already own. Here are some of my favorites:
Goji Play – This app is a combination exercise band and app for your iPad three or iPhone 4 and above. You strap on the controllers and your treadmill run or stationary bike ride enters into a gaming world where you have to complete different goals. Unlike many other apps, this really feels like a video game and you have 25 different options to choose from with new additions being made constantly.
The best thing about this device is that you have a lot more variety in your workout than some of the options paired with larger gaming systems. Also, if you are not a big gamer, you do not have to buy an entire gaming system to access these games. That said, you do lose out on the ease of use that comes with using a bigger gaming system. This device does take a bit of time in getting everything set up.
Just Dance – I admit dancing is not my favorite form of exercise, but if you enjoy a good Zoomba workout and you are mourning the loss of Dance Dance Revolution, the Just Dance games are the greatest way to break a good sweat while playing a video game. These games are available for every gaming device on the market, old and new. The best part about them is that they really aren’t geared to workout they just manage to give you a good workout while you are playing.
You don’t really have to be coordinated to win this game, it is about aligning your movements with the images on the screen, not so much about being an amazing dancer. This game will definitely help you burn calories, and if you wear your fitness tracker while you do it, you will be certain to collect lots of ‘steps’ during the process. But there also is not a great deal of variety to the songs and you will have to invest in a new disk of songs when you start to get bored. That said, this is a great way to mix things up if you don’t have time to get to the gym.
