Fit to Game: The EA Sports Active Website

Written by Ryan Johnson Wednesday, 09 March 2011 06:00

One month into the Fit to Game Challenge (that so far just consists of him, but oh well), Ryan Johnson shows you one of the big benefits of the EA Sports Active community: the online aspect.

For those of you just joining us, I have been writing accountability articles week by week on my adventure to become more fit via video games. If you want to see how I'm doing, you can start right here on Week 1. There are links all the way through back to here, so if you're just now reading this, feel free to catch up!

EA Sports Active 2 and the whole EA Fitness brand in general (the new NFL game is getting in on the action as well), has an online component. One big benefit of it is that you do not have to have an Xbox Gold status to participate! While I am Gold now, I began my workouts before said addition and was able to interact with the site just fine.

The EA Sports Active website is accessible to anyone with a copy of the game and an internet connection. Within the site, you can track everything the game is gathering from you: miles ran, calories burned, average heart rates, program status, the works. Not only that, but it connects you with other people trying to achieve the same goals you are through their forums.

By interacting with others striving for the same goals, you can stay motivated a lot more easily than just doing this on your own. Want to join? Look me up (RyanDJGNation, or the exercise group I created on the site, GoozerNatn) and join in!

For those of you chasing the carrot and always hunting for the next cheevos, there's also a page dedicated to all that you have unlocked in the game. Just remember, once you 1000/1000 this puppy, that doesn't mean you're fit! Keep working!

Without showing you every shame-faced page on my EA Active site (as I'll admit right now it needs to be fuller than it is, it has a lot of "missed exercise" marks on it) I can say that now that I know more about it, it will definitely keep me on my toes. The online component of this game is integral and it’s very fortunate that they made it available to all, not just Gold members. If you purchased an Xbox 360, PS3 or Wii to get fit and you’re trying this game, but you aren't yet connected to the 'net with your system, strongly reconsider. Sites such as this will be able to help you monitor your progress, which can continue to keep you motivated.

Personally, I only have one wish for the site: to be able to integrate other activities into your exercise program. I know within the realm of Xbox there are licensing nightmares, but I have worked my butt off enjoying Dance Central. It would be nice to have that count towards something. Perhaps even as the weather gets better, imagine being able to put on your wristband and go outside for a walk, having your system record what happens. It could alert you when your exercise time is over, rather than just have you waddle in place in your living room or pretend to ride a bicycle you have in your garage. Possibly this is asking a bit much, but it is my challenge to the developers for EA Sports Active 3.

I still strongly recommend getting this game. Between the Wii and the 360, I consider the Kinect version to be far superior (Although I have not had the ability to review the PlayStation Move edition). The online support community looks strong and will help push you toward your goal. Just don't give up...so many attempts at weight loss, quitting smoking or other difficult things are lost so easily. Remember: it takes hard work to get your body in the shape you want it to be.

By interacting with others striving for the same goals, you can stay motivated a lot more easily than just doing this on your own. Want to join? Look me up (RyanDJGNation, or the exercise group I created on the site, GoozerNatn) and join in!

For those of you chasing the carrot and always hunting for the next Cheevos, there's also a page dedicated to what all you have unlocked in the game. Just remember, once you 1000/1000 this puppy, that doesn't mean you're fit! Keep workiing!

Without showing you every shame-faced page on my EA Active site (as I'll admit right now it needs to be fuller than it is, and has a lot of "missed exercise" marks on it) I can say that now that I know more about it, it will definitely keep me on my toes. The online component of this game is integral, and it is very fortunate that they made it available to all, not just Gold members. If you purchased an Xbox 360, PS3, or Wii to get fit and are trying this game but aren't connected to the 'net with your system, strongly reconsider. Sites such as this will be able to help you monitor your progress, which can continue to push your motivation.

Personally, I only have one wish for the site: to be able to integrate other activities into your exercise program. I know within the Xbox there are licensing nightmares, but I have worked my butt off enjoying Dance Central. It would be nice to have that count towards something. Or even as the weather gets better, imagine being able to put on your wristband and go outside for a walk, having your system record what happens, and alerting you when your exercise time is over, rather than just have you waddle in place in your living room or pretend to ride a bicycle you have in your garage. Perhaps this is asking a bit much, but it is my challenge to the developers for EA Sports Active 3.

I still strongly recommend getting this game. Between the Wii and the 360, I consider the Kinect version to be far superior (I have not had the ability to review the PlayStation Move edition). The online support community looks strong, and will help push you toward your goal. Just don't give up...so many attempts at weight loss, quitting smoking, or other difficult things are lost so easily. Remember: it takes hard work to get your body in the shape you want it to be.