Exergaming Gains Steam

Laurel, MD-based Powergrid Fitness is expanding the exergaming craze. The company, which makes a number of fitness machines like Kilowatt that work with PlayStation 2, Xbox and GameCube consoles, has moved into Gold's Gym. The exercise device was already in many YMCA and independent health clubs. This is on top of Konami's "Dance Dance Revolution," which is now in 24 Hour Fitness stores, as well as in all of the schools in West Virginia. While the mainstream media continues to villify videogames as Mature-rated, violent, sex-themed experiences, games are being used to help the growing number of obese kids lose weight.

Konami's "Dance Dance Revolution" games, which have been released on every console and are heading to next gen this fall, have lead the fitness charge. The addicitive nature of videogames, when partnered with physical activity, has succeeded in getting kids off their couches to game. They end up getting workouts without realizing it. Over 4 million "Dance Dance" games have been sold in the U.S. so far, and it's a craze that first took over Japan and has reached to Europe, as well.

Powergrid Fitness has a range of products from $500 to $1,500 which can be used in the home or the health club. With devices like Kilowatt, the harder a player pushes, pulls and leans the controller, the faster their character on the screen moves. Instead of just using their thumbs to play games, gym members are using their entire body – burning 350 calories per hour and raising metabolic rate 5 times.

“Hardcore fitness facilities, like Gold’s Gym, YMCA, JCC, and others are now recognizing that innovative interactive workout products like Kilowatt are the future of the fitness industry,” said Greg Merril, President of Powergrid Fitness.“Powergrid’s technology is making being a couch potato a physically demanding sport.”

“Electronic entertainment is thought of as being one of the major contributors to this nations obesity epidemic. With ‘exertainment’ productslike Kilowatt,  electronic entertainment is now part of the solution.” Says Deana St.John, General Manager of the Charlottesville, VA based Gold’s Gym,
who placed Kilowatt’s in her facility last month.

The past few CES shows have displayed a number of new devices that bring sports like golf and baseball to life through interactivity. One of the biggest selling points of Nintendo's Wii console is the physical interactivty with the game world. Players swing and move their arms to control the action in the game, rather than pushing buttons. Nintendo has the best chance of helping the weight problems in the U.S., especially as that new system spreads through households over the next five years introducing new games to kids that require a lot of activity.