Computer Games – Will they replace Personal Training?
I stumbled across this article the other day, about a new training videogame called “EA Sports Active” developed by Electronic Arts, stating that they hope to get a piece of the Personal Fitness pie.
According to the article: “Marketing of the new game is geared towards women who may find it to be a viable alternative to expensive gym memberships or personal trainers. Users can interact with the computer-based trainer for direction on effective exercises.”
I don’t buy it.
Most people are either ready, willing, and able to exercise, or they’re not. They make the decision to exercise to stay healthy, get back into shape, or because their doctor told them to. For those who are in need of guidance, and motivation, it’s difficult to get it from a virtual personal trainer on a TV screen. If the “trainer” tells you to do twenty pushups, it doesn’t know if you’re actually doing them, or sitting on the couch eating crispy creme doughnuts. If you only do ten, nobody will tell you that you’re slacking. If you are doing the exercise improperly (a HUGE issue with probably 80% of the people I see in a gym), nobody is there to tell you you might seriously injure yourself.
NOTHING can replace the benefits to a certified personal trainer watching you with each exercise, shouting encouragement, offering advice, and making sure each exercise is done properly and safely. They’ll provide that extra boost to run the last ten yards, or those last two bench presses. Your most effective gains and improvements will come from the last few reps, where you’re on the verge of “collapse” (not seriously!)
For people who are experienced in a gym, and are confident in their abilities with exercise, I can see this game proving to be a benefit. However, if you don’t know what you’re doing, I wouldn’t trust a videogame to tell you if you’re doing it right or wrong. Forming bad habits in fitness is the worst thing you can do, leading to inefficient workouts and possible injury. I’ve messed up my back once or twice from doing squats the wrong way.
If you’re serious about getting into shape, go see a trainer. One or two sessions could make a whole world of difference.
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