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Read this if: you want to get fit but you don’t like standard forms of exercise
Save: up to $800 a year in gym membership fees, plus not having to work out in public!
Gain: a fun way to get fit, in the comfort of your own home
Cost: from $140 – $440 (assuming you don’t already own one of the consoles)
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It all started with the Nintendo Wii – a games console that tracks your actual movements via the controller (rather than you just tapping some buttons), so you’re required to get out of our seat and actually move about. Recently the other two heavyweights of the gaming world, Xbox and PlayStation, also joined the party with their own offerings – so you’ve now got three options to choose from. Check out my reviews below and decide for yourself which is the best one for you.
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Around $140 – Nintendo Wii console
Average Amazon Rating: 4/5
The least expensive of the three options is the Nintendo Wii, which was also the first to come on the market.
The console tracks your movements using a range of simple controllers – you get one in this pack, so you’ll probably need to buy some additional ones later on if you want to play with friends.
This package also comes with the Wii Sports game, which features Boxing, Bowling, Golf, Tennis and Baseball. There’s a wide range of games available to purchase separately. You can purchase Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board
What reviewers on Amazon had to say:
Pros:
- “most inexpensive of the current generation of gaming consoles”
- “actually met and possibly exceeded my expectations”
- “incredibly easy to use”
- “really a game for all ages”
Cons:
- “the remotes ran on AA batteries”
- “the controller doesn’t always pick up the motion”
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Around $300 – Xbox 360 4GB Console with Kinect
Average Amazon Rating: 4/5
One of the newer additions to the range, the Kinect from Xbox doesn’t actually use any controllers. Instead it tracks your entire body using revolutionary sensors. The only drawback to this is you will need a bigger playing space than the other consoles – so don’t go for this if you have a tiny apartment!
This bundle comes with the Kinect Adventures game, which consists of a range of fun challenges to get you used to using the console. The wider range of games is currently relatively limited since it’s still so new, however there are options specifically for fitness, such as Your Shape
What reviewers on Amazon had to say:
Pros:
- “an impressive piece of technology”
- “control the xbox main menu with your VOICE”
- “very convenient and futuristic way to navigate”
- “my kids LOVE how Kinect takes pictures (Wii can’t)”
- “I would recommend this to ANYONE, regardless of your experience with video games”
Cons:
- “Do not buy unless you have 10 feet or more of space”
- “Some games work better than others”
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Around $440 – PlayStation 3 320GB System with PlayStation Move Bundle
Average Amazon Rating: 4/5
The most expensive option comes from PlayStation. Like the Nintendo Wii, this console uses a simplified controller to track your movements. However, what makes it different (and arguably worth the extra cost) is the built in Blu-ray player and the ability to stream online multimedia content such as movies and games. It’s also compatible with 3D TVs.
Like the other consoles, this bundle also comes with a free game, Sports Champions, which includes Disc Golf, Gladiator Duel, Beach Volleyball, Archery, Table Tennis and Bocce. For a more fitness-oriented game, you could try EA Sports Active 2
What reviewers on Amazon had to say:
Pros:
- “I am officially in awe of the Sony PlayStation 3”
- “one of THE BEST Blu-ray players around”
- “games for everyone in the house”
- “Extremely easy to set up the system”
- “great blu ray, best games, surround sound”
Cons:
- “no instructions in or on the box for how to set up the Move functionality”
- “Sports Champions is more of a tutorial on how the Move works than an actual game”
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Buy a games console on Amazon:
Xbox 360 4GB Console with Kinect
PlayStation 3 320GB System with PlayStation Move Bundle
Buy games and accessories on Amazon:
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