Iowa Geek Reviews

Almost 30 Days Ago I Began the 30 Day Challenge

>> Wednesday, June 24, 2009

This is a compensated review from BlogHer and EA Sports Active for the Wii

I’m nearing the end of my EA Sports Active 30 Day challenge…

As I look at my back and shoulders in the mirror I am pleased with the definition I see. I’ve got a way to go until my strong back from 10 years ago returns but I feel pretty confident that I will see it soon. I’ve got definition in my shoulders that I haven’t seen in a long time and the wings that were beginning to form under my arms have made a rather hasty departure.

After what must be a thousand lunges and well over 100 squats (which I am sure of because I was awarded for it) my quads are much stronger than they were when I began. How do I know? I am able to walk and bike farther without becoming tired. The cardio on the track has even made a difference; I don’t become winded while taking the dog for a fast-paced walk.

Unfortunately one thing hasn’t changed and that is the loose stuff around my middle. For while EA Sports Active is a great workout it is missing one thing- abs. Sure, there are a few exercises that can work your abdominals and more that, when done correctly, make good use of a strong core. But there are really no core strengthening exercises so I find myself resorting to the Wii Fit on the third day for a core workout.

I still hope that a new controller will be created so that my fast kick-ups are actually showing as fast and I don’t continue to tangle myself in the nun chuck cord when I do over-head presses. But this is really a tiny annoyance for the workout that I have received.

I am really impressed that I haven’t become bored with the program… I may groan when I see seven different lunge exercises on my workout and I may cry when extended squats (40 seconds! It’s eternity!) come around but, in the end, I do it all and feel better for it. I’m even ready to get a little more technical and add my own workout music!

Overall I am really impressed with the EA Sports Active and look forward to continuing with it and rebuilding my strength and energy. Are you ready to try EA Sports Active? There are less than 100 comments right now: Check out the progress of the rest of the BlogHer reviewers and enter to win one of 5 copies of EA Sports Active.

For more info check out the EA Sports Active official site. I see there is an expansion pack set for release this winter – emphasizing core exercises! Oh, yes, that will be on my Chirstmas list for sure!

Have you tried EA Sports Active yet? I’m curious to hear your thoughts…

Two Exercisers are Better Than One

>> Monday, June 15, 2009

This is a compensated review from BlogHer and EA Sports Active for the Wii

I commented to Doug about a week ago that I was surprised he hadn’t tried my EA Sports Active yet. His response? “You seem to yell at it an awful lot.”

“Which means what, exactly?” I asked.

“I’m not sure I want that much confrontation in the evening,” he replied. Now, the man, bless him, is married to me. The EA Sports Active certainly isn’t as difficult as I am.

When I did the set up I noticed that you could do a dual workout with a split screen view. (Check out this and other great features at the EA Sports Active official site.)When I was shopping the other day, searching for a Father’s Day gift for Doug, I saw the Accessory Pack (it has a leg strap and a resistance band) on the shelf. Thinking that it could be quality time for us in the evenings, I put it in my cart. No, it’s not his Father’s Day gift.

Because I’m just over half way through the 30 Day Challenge we haven’t worked out together… Yet. But we will- whether Doug realizes it or not. I think it will be good for us as a couple to work out together. Not only will it be a commitment to our health but it will help with motivation, I think.

I was talking with my sister earlier this evening and she actually went out and purchased the EA Sports Active a couple days ago- based on my recommendation. She, however, doesn’t want to exercise with her husband. She doesn’t think they will be “compatible” within the routine.

Would you work out with your spouse/ partner? Or a friend? Do you think it would motivate you or do the opposite?

Check out the progress of the rest of the BlogHer reviewers and enter to win one of 5 copies of EA Sports Active. Last I saw there were only 75 entries- that’s pretty good odds since BlogHer is giving away 5 copies. The contest ends June 29, so you’ll want to sign up soon!

Read my final week's review here.

I’ve Had a Lot of Questions About the EA Sports Active

>> Tuesday, June 9, 2009

This is a compensated review from BlogHer and EA Sports Active for the Wii

I’ve been fielding a lot of questions about the EA Sports Active via email and phone calls (ya’ll know that you can leave comments here on the blog & I’ll answer them, right?) so I want to take a few minutes to respond to those…

Q: You said it was tough… Just how tough is it?
A: I began my workouts on the medium level. I’m actually pretty fit underneath the jiggly-ness on my body. The workout is tough enough to leave me sore and my body pushed to the point of exhaustion. Which is just where you want to be with a workout. I haven’t experienced the easy level, but I’m willing to bet it will be challenging for those who are just beginning.

Q: I don’t have a Wii Fit- do I need one?
A: Nope. Only some exercises utilize the balance board, and all are set up so the exercise can be done without it and you’ll still get a great workout!

Q: Is it really that much different that the Wii Fit?
A: YES!! Oh my gosh, yes. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the Wii Fit, but it really didn’t push me. And I hated the fact that I had to stop and hit so many buttons after every exercise. It wasn’t that I didn’t care how I did on the exercise, but I would have rather seen the results at the end of my workout. The EA Sports Active has so many “pluses” in my opinion:
• The trainers are more “real” and they offer encouragement or advice. It’s kind of freaky how they know when you’re not quite hitting the mark. I get told every time I’m running that I’m not going fast enough. I’m going as fast as I can!
• You move quickly from one exercise to the next and your results are shown at the end of your workout.
• Workouts are set for you according to your skill level and past performance. At the beginning of the workout you are shown what you will be doing and how long it will take. You can make changes to your workout before you begin.
• You can’t “fake” your workout. The problem I had with the Wii Fit was that it was easy to cheat the software. No, it’s not productive, but who hasn’t tried? With the nun chuck and the leg strap the EA Sports Active monitors you very closely. And calls you out on a less-than-passable performance.
• You can set goals other than weight & BMI. It’s a great motivator as you see your performance after each workout and you can monitor your goals.

Q: You’re being sponsored- will you tell us what you don’t like?
A: Yep! Right now my main gripes are the nun chuck cord keeps getting in my way on some moves. Which either tangles me or disconnects the nun chuck. This throws off my exercise and my trainer calls me out. I also have 2 issues with the tension band.
1. I wish it were a heavier band. I don’t feel like there is enough tension for bicep curls but if I shorten the band it isn’t long enough for some of the combination exercises.
2. Getting the proper grip on the band while holding the controllers can be tricky. Add to that the cord and the wrist strap and I get tangled up quite often. Frustrating!

From an overall perspective, though, I am really enjoying the EA Sports Active. I’m getting a challenging workout, I can see my strengths (strength exercises) and my weaknesses (running and coordination). And I’m getting a great variety… Volleyball, boxing, basketball and tennis exercises make this fun and keep monotony at bay.

I haven’t seen a noticeable weight loss (just the daily 2 pounds either way) but I have noticed that my body is becoming firmer and my posture has improved since I began. I’m not quite half way through the 30 Day Challenge and I’m noticing a difference in how my clothes fit. And when my clothes fit better I feel better. Does the fit of your clothing affect how you feel?

Don’t forget to Check out the progress of the rest of the BlogHer reviewers and enter to win one of 5 copies of EA Sports Active. And check out the EA Sports Active official site for more information and news!

Want to read the next installment? Click here.
You can read my final installment by clicking here.

EA Sports Active is Helping Make Me Over: Bring on the 30 Day Challenge!

>> Monday, June 1, 2009

This is a compensated review from BlogHer and EA Sports Active for the Wii

The biggest issue I have right now is body image. I just don’t look like I used to (as you saw from an earlier post). When I was in my 20’s and single I had all the time in the world to visit the gym- and the extra money to afford the membership! Now, with two busy preschoolers, a home to maintain, family time to fit in and my online ventures to build… Well, you could say that exercise, caring for myself, actually, has fallen to the lowest rung on my life’s ladder.

I had seen the EA Sports Active for the Wii ads and they piqued my interest so when I was given the opportunity to blog about my experience with the 30 Day Challenge I had to jump on it. I’m incredibly excited about this challenge as it has a specific goal; one that is not so far away that I may lose intensity and with plenty of variety to get me there.

I’ve begun the challenge and, as I told Doug, this trainer is just as tough on me as the “real” trainer I had back when I had the time and money for such things. Oh, yes, this should be fun…

What do you think? Can a video game give me the same results as a human personal trainer? What do you think my results will be at the end of my 30 days? Do you want to try it, too? Check out the progress of the rest of the BlogHer reviewers and enter to win one of 5 copies of EA Sports Active.

To learn more about the 30 Day Challenge check out the EA Sports Active official site.

Check out my newest post! I'm almost to the half way point! See what I like and what I don't now that I've been on the program for a while! And you can sign up to win your own EA Sports Active!

Work out in tandem? Easy with the EA Sports Active! Check this out!

My final post about using EA Sports Active can be read by clicking this link.

Yanni Winner!

>> Friday, May 8, 2009

Congratulations Cindy B. of Montana said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/sendtocindy/status/1717857069

You'll be groovin to Yanni Voices !
(The random # was 15... For some reason the images aren't working, but I do have it... I'll add it as soon as the images are up again.)

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