JAG started the EA SPORTS Active 30-Day Challenge for the Wii on Easy, I completed it on Medium then Hard.

What is EA SPORTS Active about?

Designed around the standard Wii Remote/Nunchuck tethered controller configuration, EA SPORTS Active‘s interactive fitness program is more focused on physical activities than previous ‘fitness’ titles for the Wii, but still challenges you to have fun while developing a more healthy lifestyle. Separated into the three sections of workout, nutrition, lifestyle, and other activity, the user’s experience begins with a pep talk from Bob Greene which quickly transitions into the beginnings of action as players set up profiles, choose a virtual personal trainer and enter baseline data like age, weight, gender, fitness goals, etc. Although the nutrition, lifestyle, and other activity sections add a holistic element facilitated by a mix of surveys and data input, building fitness through physical activity is the driving force behind EA SPORTS Active and as such the meat of the content resides in the workout section. Here players will find dozens of themed strength training and cardio workouts which can be customized as you choose and linked into circuit training routines. These routines are introduced and monitored by your personal trainer, and allow for ongoing player motivation via real-time feedback on your workout form, an approximation of calories burned and the ability to adjust levels of exercise intensity.

EA SPORTS Active Accessories

Although activity in EA SPORTS Active flows exclusively through the combination of the Wii Remote and Nunchuck controllers, it also utilizes a few additional accessories to maximize the functionality of this configuration. The first of these included with EA SPORTS Active is the controller leg strap. By attaching this to their upper thigh and then slipping the Nunchuck controller into it, players can utilize the Nunchuck controller’s motion sensing capabilities while it is connected to the Wii Remote to monitor their leg movements. This allows for cardio exercises like jogging and cardio boxing and strength training activities like squats. Also included with EA SPORTS Active is a resistance band designed to increase the intensity of a variety of exercises such as bicep curls and shoulder presses and lifts. In addition, although not included, the Wii Balance board is compatible with many EA SPORTS Active workouts, but only as an optional added controller configuration.

EA SPORTS Active Features:

• Active Fitness Made Fun & Easy – 20 minute circuits feature a variety of familiar activities that target upper body, lower body as well as cardio. Start off with a light jog, followed by bicep curls and get your heart beating with some cardio boxing.
• Benefit of a Virtual Personal Trainer – Your trainer will be the focal point of the experience guiding you towards your own version of personal achievement. Feedback will be given throughout your workout, keeping you on track to reach your fitness goals.
• The 30 Day Challenge – Take the 30 Day Challenge and experience tailor made 20 minute workouts to your level of fitness. Circuits will change as you progress each day, and EA SPORTS Active will track calories, intensity and progress throughout your journey.
• New Way to Play – Slip the Nunchuk into the specially designed leg strap and hold the Wii Remote in your hand to track your movements from both your upper and lower body. A resistance band is also included to increase the intensity of exercises such as bicep curls and shoulder presses.
• Workout Your Way – Circuits can be customized to your interest and fitness level. Choose your duration, intensity level & set your own goals for calories burned and workout score.
• Workout with a Friend – Burn calories with a friend as you both workout through routines together in a co-operative mode.
• Track Your Progress – Expand your Fitness IQ and keep track of your workouts inside and outside of EA Sports Active with the in-game Journal.
• Wii Balance Board Compatibility – Get more out of your EA SPORTS Active workout using a Wii Balance Board with added functionality for many of exercises.

EA SPORTS Active Co-op Multiplayer Mode

Along with its single player experience, EA SPORTS Active also features a deep and entertaining two-player cooperative gameplay mode. Designed to tap into the time tested motivational factor of having a workout buddy beside you as crunch through reps and up your personal best, regardless of a player’s current fitness levels or future fitness goals, this mode is sure to enhance the level of fun of players at all levels.

My thoughts:

When Wii Fit came out I was really excited and really enjoyed it, especially the yoga section but the intensity and Sports Drills from EA Sports Active challenged me way more. Doing the 30 Day Challenge on medium helped me get back into a routine. The easy is really for beginners, for people that do not exercise. You exercise 2 days in a row then one day off which you can see on a calendar. If you can’t make it one day it will automatically re-calculate the schedule and will not actually make you feel bad for missing one day unlike all the other Wii fitness games. So I decided to only use it on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays. It takes about 20-30mn to complete a session and if you don’t think it is enough, you can re-do the session. Personally I just use another Wii fitness game so that I exercise at least one hour a day, 5 days a week.

You don’t have to have the Wii Balance Board but if you do, some of the exercises will require it but you still get a really good workout without it and you don’t get to use it that often, so if you don’t want to invest into the Balance Board, don’t bother.

I was not too impressed with the resistance band for some of the exercises. The intensity for some the exercise was just lacking. A friend of mine said the same thing and told me she bought and use a proper resistance band. So without giving it too much thought, I went and bought one too but because of the thick handles I could not hold the resistance band and the Wii Remote and Nunchuck at the same time.

Overall, it is one of my favorite Wii Fitness game. I am not goign to say it is fun. I enjoy exercising and always feel great after exercising but I still don’t see it as “fun”. Easy to follow, a bit annoying when occasionally the “virtual personal trainer” thinks you have not done your rep properly, but as I said, it is only occasional.

The Nunchuck wire was sometimes in my way so I might have to consider a Wii Nunchuk Cord Free Wireless Adaptor.

What I also really like is that if you have a weak area or injury or simply don’t like an exercise, you are able to see all the exercises you will do in either 30-day challenge mode or pre-set mode and you can simply un-check the exercises you can’t do. I had to stop doing some of the jumping exercises as they were just killing my knees.

You are not stuck to just the 30 Day Challenge. There are plenty of other workouts to chose from and some of the workouts are about an hour long.   Because I am using other Wii Fitness games regularly – and always trying the newcomers -  I just did not get chance to try a single workout or even to exercise with somebody else.

I give it EA SPORTS Active a 9/10.

I highly recommend buying the second strap to workout with someone else. It’s a great addition not so much for the resistance band but you need the strap to fit the Nunchuck.

 

Also look out for EA Sports Active More Workouts for Nintendo Wii..

Keep going on your journey towards better health with EA SPORTS Active More Workouts, the next iteration from the EA SPORTS Active franchise, the proven fitness alternative for the Nintendo Wii. Stay motivated, with over 35 all new exercises and fitness activities that will challenge you and help you obtain results. With all-new cool down/warm up stations, abdominal exercises and a 6 Week Challenge EA SPORTS Active More Workouts is a full body, complete workout experience and a great addition to the EA SPORTS Active family.

EA Sports Active Release Date November 17, 2009

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