EA Sports Active 2: A Wear-You-Out Workout on the Wii

One of the most classic excuses for not working out seems to be a lack of time. I get it. I totally get it. But I'm not buying it. This post will discuss the time-saving benefits of one of my favorite fitness video games, EA Sports Active 2 for the Wii.

First, let me say that, at least in my experience, this isn't your typical workout video game. It's hard. I first tried EA Sports Active 2 when I was in training for a half-marathon, and I found the game harder than my long runs. Seriously. I am still sore for a day (or three) after every EA Sports Active 2 session I complete.

(Okay, that said, you can choose whether you want your session to be easy, moderate, or hard--and I always choose hard. My point is, though, that this game is effective, and you will feel the effects as soon as the warm-up ends and the workout begins (at least if you choose "hard;" I'm not sure what the "easy" option is like)).

Now, for fitting it into your busy schedule:

1. The game gives you two options for your workout.

Option One: You can sort of design your own workout by choosing a duration (up to 30 minutes), a focus (lower body, upper body, core, or full body), and an intensity (easy, moderate, or hard). In this way, you can design a workout that fits into exactly the amount of time you have. I think the shortest option is 15 minutes.

One time-conscious option for working out using EA Sports Active 2 is to design your own workout. Doing so allows you to choose a duration of 15-20 minutes, 20-25 minutes, or 25-30 minutes; to choose a focus (full body, core, upper body, lower body, etc.); and to choose an intensity (easy, moderate, or hard).

Option Two: You can choose from a list of preset workouts. To the right of each workout, you can find an estimated length of time, and thus choose one you know you have time for. Keep in mind, the time estimated includes the exercise time only, and does not take into account the time it will take to load each exercise. Typically, I find my workouts take about 10 to 15 minutes longer than the estimate time.

The second time-conscious option is to complete a preset workout. The estimated time for completion is listed on the right, but generally, the workout will last 10 to 15 minutes longer due to load time for the exercises.

*Tip: After you choose a workout, a list of the exercises to be completed will come up. Before you even begin your workout, you can delete exercises you do not want to do, or exercises that may be scheduled for two or three sets in the workout (reducing, for example, any repeated exercise to only one set), and thus shorten the workout time if necessary.

2. Another nice feature of the EA Sports Active 2 game is that during your workout, you can constantly view your heart rate, the exercise time elapsed, and the number of calories burned, as shown below.

Throughout you workout, you can view calories burned (upper left corner), heart rate (below calories burned), and time elapsed (upper right corner). If you are not sure how to properly complete an exercise, you can click "Show Me How" in the lower left corner to view a short tutorial video on the exercise.

3. At the end of your workout, an easy-to-read summary screen pops up--so you can see exactly what you did with your time. It shows your overall exercise time, your average heart rate, and the total number of calories burned. Following that screen, you can view a graph of your heart rate as it ran throughout your workout.

After your workout is complete, a summary screen shows you exactly how you used your time.

4. You don't have to squeeze in drive-time to the gym, since you can complete the workout at home.

Fast Fitness Tip: If you're craving chocolate, try a glass of low-fat chocolate milk. Not only will it help satisfy your chocolate craving, but the protein in the milk will also help keep you feeling full. In addition, chocolate milk is a great post-workout recovery drink (I've read in a few publications that it can provide the same benefits--and then some--as Gatorade and Powerade).