aurigus

I downloaded the program StepMania which is a DanceDanceRevolution (DDR) clone for the PC. You can hook up mats just like the ones in the arcade to play it with. I've heard that people use these as part of their excersize routine because it gives you a good aerobic workout and is quite fun. Does anyone have experience with this sort of thing and would they recommend it to someone who doesn't like to 'work out' per se? I know it wouldn't be a 'complete' workout routine, but I could imagine myself playing this for 15-30 min a day to get myself moving at least.

Want to know if I should invest in the mat. They are $50-$100.

Plan9Senior

Sounds like an interesting way to do cardio. Tell us how it goes

RHix613

There are a lot of ways to exercise, especially doing cardio. If you get lucky and find one that is entertaining at the same time, you are very fortunate. Good luck and keep us informed.

EleqTrizi'T

That sounds like a great way to get some cardio in. Seriously, I bet it would be a good workout and those machines do look fun. I wouldn't mind trying it after I lose a few more lbs (knees, you know).

blizzak

oh man
DDR is the best!!!!!
and i'm not saying that just cause it's a computer game and i'm a gamer, it is really a great way to do cardio

me and my friend are actually making our own metal pad during the break, cause the soft pads have a tendency to not last very long

I would recommend the RedOctane 2.0 pad if you're looking to buy a soft one because it's got dense foam in it and is much more durable than the conventional pads, check it out here: http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/product/2...WbgcJ1asoJpKxQ

yeah after about 30 mins of on and off playing, I usually sweat like crazy....it's a cardio workout and a half. Not to mention it's a damn fun game and if you really care, you can showoff at the local arcades too

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blizzak

oh yeah....try the workout, continuous, or endless modes.......they're pretty damn awesome

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aurigus

Awesome... thanks for the advice all. Im going to keep my eye out for a decent map and see where it takes me

SparklingDot

Go for it. My chubby friend got addicted to DDR and he's not chubby anymore. Good cardio and you get so involed that you forget to eat.

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aurigus

We just picked up the Xbox DDR Ultramix + Mat at Circuit City - man this thing is fun. I've been playing a few hours (along with my wife) and we're sweating up a storm. It even has a workout mode that keeps track of how many calories you are burning.

blizzak

heh nice buy
if I had an x-box, i'd love to play that version
have fun with it

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hy_

yeh man i see people in arcades using it it's crazy

gdr2004

I just got one on the dreamcast :-p well worth the money, I'd say. I'm having fun and learning music at the same time lol I wonder if it'll help with dancing. Anyone?

skier

DDR is great. You can play it on dreamcast, playstation 1 and 2, Xbox, and PC. It's entertaining and a good cardio workout, especially at the higher levels.

BUT!

it won't help you dance worth a damn. You can play DDR more smoothly if you learn to dance, but it doesn't work the other way around.

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la petite moi

Very good cardio workout. I have Stepmania too, but no pads. However, DDR is great for a workout. Just make sure you work up on the levels and step up the pace once in awhile.

Edit: And no, unfortunately, DDR/Stepmania does not help with dancing skills. Real dancing, that is.

aurigus

Yeah I had a lot of fun on the Xbox version of DDR Ultramix. It's a lot of fun. Unfortunately after playing it a while, you outgrow the plastic/fabric mats. You really have to use the hard surface mats to get going in the more complicated moves.

With the Xbox version you can play over Xbox Live too. I haven't tried it, but I hear it is a lot of fun.

Another bonus is after playing it a bunch at home, you can go to the arcades at the shore and impress a lot of people with your mad skillzzzzz

omid

um i was pretty hardcore at DDR for a while (co-webmaster @ www.ddrmaniax.net) but like everything, it got old. one thing though, that just straight up owns about it is the fact that it is EXCELLENT cardio. i'm buying a metal pad from Fry's Electronics (www.outpost.com) over summer so i can get back into shape. i have stepmania as well, along with ddrmax/ddrmax2 for PS2.

good luck! you'll lose mad weight.

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skier

damn- you can play VS mode over Xbox live? I should have gotten a Xbox instaed of my playstation 2. ah well.

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KellyC

DDR is how I exercise during the long, frigid winter. Broke two mats so far though...

Time for a little show off....who here beats MANIAC Mode??? I tried and I tried...still couldn't beat that fucking thing..

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blizzak

by maniac you mean songs that are classified hard?
yeah, beat most of em...

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skier

I can't get that damn MAX2 song. Just too freakin fast.

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KellyC

no..I meant the Maniac Mode, where a jillion arrows all pop up at once...its driving me crazy!!!

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aurigus

I'm amazed at some of the kids I see on the boardwalk playing DDR. They have it on a really hard mode, accellerating arrows, and still got 100%. That takes talent.

I need to get a metal pad, it's too hard to get past the middle stages with a soft pad.

I got some xbox related accessories and a pad from http://www.lik-sang.com/ . Their shipping is expensive since it's from Hong Kong, but they ship FAST, and if you get more than a few, they take drastic discounts, like 10-50% off and then you can resell them here. You can usually make some money on them over Ebay, even with the huge shipping cost.

lytri

DDR is definitely a great and fun way to get your aerobics exercise every day. And in fact, it does help with dancing. What is the most key component of good dancing? Knowing when the beat is hitting, and moving your body accordingly. What does DDR do? It makes you step on a pad to the beat. It helps you internalise the beat and move your body to it. So it may not help with your form, but it certainly does help with creating a good base for good dancing

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coash

who else does maniac on afronova

Spanxxx

I've always secretly wanted to try one of these games....


....at home...

...alone ....

...in the dark...

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aurigus

It's actually a lot of fun.. if you aren't self concious