Since the advent of the Wii fitness products, the idea of using a video game to promote physical fitness has entered the mainstream. However, Dance Dance Revolution provided a sweaty good time more than a decade before the advent of the Wii. Just how much weight you can lose playing this video game varies according to several factors, not all of which are part of playing the game itself.
How It Works
Dance Dance Revolution was developed by Konami and released in Japan in 1998, and to North America and Europe a year later. Players watch a screen while dance music plays, stepping on pedals according to the instructions on the screen. The arcade game included a complete dance stage, while home versions come with a mat that includes pedals for stepping. Many clones of Dance Dance Revolution have been released in the wake of its success.
How Weight Loss Works
At the simplest level, losing weight means eating fewer calories than you burn through activity. Any activity that increases your calorie output can help bring you closer to the calorie deficit you need to lose weight. However, health researcher Gary Taubes points out that eating more is a natural response to burning extra calories through exercise. If you do that, your Dance Dance Revolution workout may not help you lose weight at all.
Burning Calories
According to HealthStatus.com, a 150-lb. person will burn about 400 calories in an hour of modern dance. Dance Dance Revolution players may experience a lower calorie burn because of the break between different songs. Because they are dancing while carrying extra weight, heavier people may burn more calories, while lighter people will burn fewer.
Effects
At 400 calories per hour, a 150-lb. person will burn off 1 lb. worth of calories for every nine hours of playing Dance Dance Revolution. How much weight you can lose is a matter of how often you play and how long you keep up your Dance Dance Revolution training regimen. You'll have the best luck losing weight if you pair your exercise program with a healthy weight-loss diet.
Member Comments