Everything You Need to Know About Exer-Gaming

By Barbara Brody

Is hitting an imaginary ball with an imaginary racquet or following an avatar personal trainer as good as "regular" exercise? Here's what you should know.

What is exer-gaming?

Everything You Need to Know About Exer-Gaming

Exer-games are video games that get your whole body moving. The two most popular options are the Wii Fit Plus and the Xbox 360 Kinect. (A newer contender is the PlayStation Move.) They use a motion sensor so that when you move, you affect what happens onscreen. For example, every time you step or punch while playing Rhythm Boxing on the Wii Fit Plus, your onscreen avatar follows suit.

Do these games count toward the recommended 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day?

Absolutely. In terms of calories burned, playing active video games is comparable to mild to moderate physical activity (like walking or casual bike riding), according to a review in the journal Pediatric Exercise Science. And the American Heart Association recently partnered with Nintendo to promote exer-games (including the Wii Fit Plus) as one way to be more active. These games are great for anyone who prefers to work out at home, says Rebecca Battista, PhD, an associate professor in the department of health, leisure and exercise science at Appalachian State University in North Carolina. The competitive aspect—racking up points and advancing to higher levels—can also be a big motivator. Photo: iStockphoto

Do you know which activities burn more calories? Take our quiz to find out.

How hard will I be working out?

If sitting on the couch is a 0 and running a marathon is a 10, most exer-games will put you in the 3 to 5 range, says exercise physiologist Pete McCall, a spokesman for the American Council on Exercise. But it depends on the game. Activities that come with the Wii Fit Plus mostly provide light to moderate exercise, but some—like tennis and cycling—really get your heart rate up. Most of the activities that come with the Xbox 360 Kinect (Kinect Adventures) provide moderate to intense exercise, but there are others (like bowling in Kinect Sports) that are relatively light. Photo: Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images

Is spending more time in front of a screen really good for kids?

Exer-games get kids' muscles working and their heart rate up, which is definitely a good thing. That said, experts caution against letting these games be their only form of exercise. "They help get kids active, but they do nothing to promote skill development," says Dr. Battista. For example, a child may excel at Wii Sports baseball but not be able to play "real" baseball very well. Relying solely on screen time also doesn't give kids time outdoors in nature or the socialization and skills you gain by playing a team sport or even a game of tag. Photo: Handout/Getty Images

I want to lose 20 pounds. Will these games help?

Yes—especially if you weren't exercising at all before, says McCall. "If your main goal is to drop a dress size or two, these games are a great place to start." Keep in mind that you may need to play for a while (studies show that you need 60 to 90 minutes of exercise five days a week for weight loss), and don't eat more to make up for the extra activity. Photo: John Shearer/Getty Images

Original article appeared on WomansDay.com.