In between training the likes of super-fit celebrities and even the prime minister, Matt Roberts is encouraging people to get their butts off the sofa and move more with the help of the Xbox 360 Kinect and games such as Dance Central 2, KinectSports and YourShape Fitness 2012. Having tried out these games handbag can confirm that you really can work up a sweat if you challenge yourself, or better yet, challenge your boyfriend/bestmate/mother/lover. With useful interactive options such as a calorie counter, fun options like the video playback and various different programs of workouts enabling you to keep raising the bar on your own workouts, the Kinect sports games are a fun addition to your current exercise regime.
We spoke to Matt and asked for a few words of advice on sticking to our fitness goals...
If people find sticking to their New Year fitness/diet resolutions hard can you suggest one change for each that would make the biggest difference?
January is always a time of great expectations and of massive disappointments too. On both fronts the main thing to think about is that if you want to look good (and not feel bad) when the time to bare your flesh comes in May, the hard work is done right now!
If you exercise three times each week between now and May you could burn around 20,000 calories, or enough to shift around half a stone in weight. By cutting out your one chocolate or sweet treat each day you stop yourself consuming another 20,000 calories, for another half a stone. So set your targets and stick to them.
What sort of games/workouts are best for women to help change their shape and can games alone achieve this or should we all be joining a gym too?
Games don't take the place of your normal workout routine but they supplement it very well, and on days when you are limited for time or the weather is truly terrible, they provide a great alternative.
Some of the Xbox sports games, such as track and field, tennis and boxing are actually surprisingly active, and the more competitive types will certainly work up a sweat, and have a load of fun at the same time.
The structured workout games that are available provide a way of having a "trainer" guide you through a routine. Whilst they are not like having a trainer with you, they shouldn’t be expected to be, in the same way that a book is of great value but is different to having someone tell you what to do in person.
