 A great workout!! |
| Review Date: March 31, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Leah Carmel, Beltsville, Maryland United States |
I actually got my copy a couple of days before it was supposed to be released from a video game store. It's mostly cardio boxing, although there are other exercises including Punch Dog, reverse sit-ups, back strengthening and squats that utilize the balance board. There are 4 other exercises that have to be unlocked as you progress through the game. (I just unlocked Jump Rope today, on my 4th day.) Gold points are earned to be spent in the Shop on gear, and additional items go on sale as you go.
After initial "registration", you choose your trainer, either Alex or Nina. Other trainers are unlocked as you progress. (I just unlocked Brenda.) Each day, you have a choice of doing a prepared workout or an ala carte workout. After the prepared workout, you get to leave a punch stamp on the calendar, indicating that you've completed that day's workout. There are Boxing Examinations you can take to test yourself.
As of yet, I haven't noticed the scale feature and I had to enter my weight manually when I first set up my profile. All in all, it's a great workout- more interesting and interactive than Wii Fit (which I still love). I was sweating after about 5 minutes, and I'm STILL sore from my first workout! There's less jumping and hopping around than My Fitness Coach, which, with my bad knees, is a big plus. I look forward to unlocking more of the features of this game!
Update: 4/12/09- I've unlocked a couple of the "Special" workouts in the Shape Boxing, but only done Dodging, which is really tricky because you have to throw punches at the same time! I've unlocked all the locked excercises in Exercise and they are "Roadwork" (running & boxing a bear that crosses your path), "Sandbag" (punching 10 sandbangs in the allotted 3 minutes), "Log Chopping" (using the remote to saw through a log in 3 minutes), and "Jump Rope". I've unlocked another trainer named Bob, who looks like the BIGGEST guy on Muscle Beach, and a two new outfits for the trainer I've chosen (Brenda), as well as a few new items that were given to me for reaching a X amount of punches. I'm still loving this game and have lost about 4 lbs since I've been playing it (along w/Weight Watchers). It's not hard on my bad knees and I feel the burn where I should. |
WELL worth the money!
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| Review Date: April 9, 2009 |
| Reviewer: J. Johnson, Myrtle Beach, SC |
I'm in no way a fitness fanatic. In fact, until recently the most exercise I got was walking to the fridge. I'm 6'4" and 200-205 pounds so I'm by no means overweight.
That being said, this is the first time in my life that I actually look forward to working out. And this program is the reason. We got a Wii Fit back in January and it got me off of the couch but after a few weeks, the novelty and "cuteness" wore off and it became kiddy, boring and all around not challenging. This motivated me to start looking for something else. I wasn't sure about this program until I read a few reviews that flat out said what it really is: Shape Boxing. The Wii Fit boxing was really enjoyable but far too slow. This program is exactly what I was looking for.
The graphics are a little 90's-ish but so what? So is the music. Again, so what? If I wanted a great multimedia experience, I'd go play my Xbox or the computer.
The Wii Fit balance board is only used in the "exercises" (squats, pushups, etc) but the game says "compatible" not "designed for" the balance board. If you are looking for a balance game, this is not it.
The "dual-controller" mode is excellent. Not only do you have the same grip in each hand, it's also WAY more responsive than a controller + nunchuk.
The workouts are fast paced but not so long that a beginner will drop dead from a heart attack. The trainer will ask you each day if you want a planned workout or "a-la-carte" where you pick and choose your activities. The planned workouts get progressively harder as you work your way through them and you unlock new trainers, songs, clothing, workouts and exercises as your total punch count increases.
This program is a fine addition to any fitness regimen or a great way to get started on one.
To wrap things up, if you're looking for hard-core cardio, go for a run. If you're looking for a balance game, look elsewhere. If you're looking for a great workout in less than a half an hour, this is the program for you. No balance board needed and a steal for under $30. |
It WORKS !!!!!
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| Review Date: December 15, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Y. LEE, |
My brother introduced me this game in May 25, 2009 1:39PM, I was weight 230lb. Tried the basic mode for about 30 mins, half of my shirt got wet and I had trouble breathing. Since then I spent average 1 hour on the game, 4 days a week. In August 12, 2009 I weighted 198lb. The advance mode burns my fat pretty well, the game completely hooked me up. It remembers on the date you play, how long you play and how many calories you burned, what a way to keep you playing it. You'll earn points + coins after each game, you can use those coins to buy cloths, the female instructor will dress less if you keep her long as your instructor. For $20, a fun way to lose weight.
P.S. I cancelled my real life golds gym membership in May 28, 2009. |
A Martial Artist's Perspective
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| Review Date: July 27, 2009 |
| Reviewer: E. Shin, Chicago, IL |
I have a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and have cross-trained in boxing, Muay Thai, and other martial arts. Since getting married and having two kids, I have had little time to do anything even closely related to exercise, much less martial arts. From an exercise as well as a martial arts training perspective, this game is incredibly fun and effective, particularly for those who have limited time and resources.
If you are trained in the proper form for throwing the various punches used in this game, Gold's Gym Cardio Workout is a great way to maintain and practice proper form, get a great workout at home, and have fun.
While a Wii controller can be "fooled" by using motions similar to throwing a punch, this game can be an incredible full-body workout if the punches are thrown correctly and you actually duck and weave. For those who are serious, focus on the following two items:
(1) Not hyperextending your elbow/arm when throwing a punch. Always keep a slight bend in your elbow.
(2) Picturing your punch - particularly those thrown from your "reverse" (back) hand - as a full-body motion. Power in your punch does not come simply from your arms, but from your legs, your hips/waist, torso, AND arms. All of these areas should move in one fluid motion.
To illustrate, try this: with your right leg back, put your right elbow on your waist with your fist perpindicular (90 degrees) from your body. Now twist your right hip from the back to the front of your body without moving your arm. That "punch" is power developed from your hips alone! Add that to power from the actual "punching" motion of your arm and your legs, and you have more power than from the punching motion alone. Plus, you are using (and exercising) your full body in the process.
Enjoy your workout! This is a fantastic game and training tool. |
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