Poll: Video Game Exercise and Our Children

Spectra

Kids are WAY too "safe" these days. I mean, I'm not advocating telling your kids to go play in traffic or anything, but when we were kids, we played outside and climbed trees and played hopscotch or jumped rope. In the summer we rode bikes and in the winter we made snow forts and went sledding. I guess I fail to see how riding a bike in front of a screen could be more entertaining than riding a real bike outside.

Ultimately, I think exercise games are all about eliminating excuses. If kids don't want to go outside -- for whatever reason (too cold, too hot, kids are mean to me, etc) -- then they can exercise indoors.

You can argue that we spend too much time in front of the TV, and that it kills creativity, but that's really a separate argument than your poll. Yeah, it'd be great if our society weren't completely TV-obsessed... but since they are, why not help people get fit at the same time.

I would have loved this when I was a kid (I kind of want one now!) I was really uncoordinated at riding my bike. I'd veer into traffic and hit parked cars. In the end, I gave up riding my bike altogether. I played outside a lot still, but would never get on a bike. If this is the only way you could get your kids to be active, I think it is a fair compromise.

Ali Hale

I certainly don't think it should be the ONLY exercise kids are getting -- but for non-sporty or shy kids, it could be a great way to encourage them to stay active.

Like GremlinGirl, I think I'd've liked this as a kid! I wasn't at all good at sports (and was a bit chubby and shy). I guess my take on it is that *any* exercise is better than none...

You also have to consider that times have changed. It may not be the best idea for your child to ride their bike around the block. The "safety" felt 25-30 years ago, is no longer around. You have to many things happening to kids nowadays, which is why most stay indoors (and in that instance, sometimes thats not safe either). I agree, children need to exercise, get out and run around, and be children. But society...depending on where you live, never gives that opportunity.

Who was feeling safe 25-30 years ago? Kids were getting snatched then too. Fitness "lovers" always complain about kids not getting enough exercise, now they have to exercise the "way" you like best or it barely counts? If I had a kid and he wanted to ride a bike that goes with his video game I'd be happy that he is moving, even if that's all he did for exercise and spend a lot of other time reading or building robots or playing a flute.

So much negativity!

Maybe some of you don't live where it is often too cold or icy to spend much time outside.

We get over four months of "indoor" weather here. We do take advantage of outdoor winter activities, but many days are just too cold or too icy, or the roads are too bad from snow to get anywhere (although on those days we often shovel the driveway, sled, and build snowmen.

In my family, the Wii comes out mainly in the winter, when outside exercise is harder to get, and is rarely used in the summer, except on rainy days. If they weren't on the wii, they'd be reading, playing board games, baking cookies, watching -- other indoor activities. The wii is more active than any of those things! My experience with friends who have the wii is that they use it similarly.

At least it is better than spending time playing Grand Theft Auto and being exposed to violence. Don't you think? I mean video games will never go away, instead it is invading in greater extent. Most of them are violent and grotesque. So, it is best if video games are ported to such games called FXB than GTA. [Problems will always be there, so instead of thinking a way to get rid of them, think about how you can turn problems into advantages.]

It is a great idea to exercise while playing video games. All you have to do is play one and you will see why people do it for hours. It is best not to try and make everyone be "like you" were. But getting exercise is important that is where products like this fit in. You are not going to get people to stop playing video games, they are fun and entertaining. Just ad a device to make them healthy. I use a FitDesk. It holds a laptop while I exercise. This lets me work and exercise everyday. What is wrong with that?