Gold’s Gym Cardio Workout

10 Comments

1. E. Shin — July 18, 2010 #

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   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.

2. Wiiviewer — July 19, 2010 #

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   Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2NSKZE1378COJ I review Wii games on YouTube. If you want to see more of my reviews go to youtube.com/wiiviewr.

3. Witzkeyman — July 20, 2010 #

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   this game rocks! as a 40 year old plus man who loves the Wii Fit boxing, I must say this is a must have. I own a PS3 and play Madden online while biking on a stationary bike, but bought the Wii just for the purpose of the Wii Fit. I must warn you though, I ordered an additional Wii remote because the nunchuck attachment wire sometimes hits me in my chest and face. the punching combinations are much more complex than the Wii Fit step boxing. the graphics seem to blow away the Wii Fit games also. I can finally justify why I bought the 480p component cables. I love boxing in the room with the wooden floor with a nightly cityscape in the background (gym), although the other 2 scenes are also highly detailed. I also like the fact that I can choose a different song instead of having to listen to the same tune from the Wii Fit step boxing. I pretty much have been scoring 1100+ on the Wii Fit step boxing, and so far have been doing quite well with the Gold’s Gym version. overall, this makes my Wii an overall great purchase. the only downside to this game is that you may want to order another controller, and that is another $35.:-(

4. Leah Carmel — July 20, 2010 #

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   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.

5. J. Johnson — July 21, 2010 #

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   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.

6. Random1 — July 21, 2010 #

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   I wasn’t sure just how much boxing this would have until I started reading the reviews here and was pleased to find that it has a lot. As an alternative to the standard control scheme used for boxing games of the Wiimote and Nunchuck, Gold’s Gym allows you to use two Wiimotes. Not only does the sensitivity increase by a lot, but I can fully grip them and create a real fist. I can use my natural movements to punch and it picks it up every time. I have Don King Boxing coming but I have the feeling it’s going to be a letdown after responsiveness like this.

   Of course, getting exercise is the real point of this, and it delivers plenty. I put in about a half hour and my body is telling me things about it. As a fairly healthy but out of shape 24 year old, I found that Wii Fit just didn’t have enough for me after the first 3 weeks or so, but I’m pretty sure I won’t be saying the same about this one.

   My only complaint is that they expect you to rock forward and backward constantly, which I’m sure burns more calories. I just find it hard to keep my rythm and throw punches the way I want to. I made up for that by moving at the same times, just not the same motions, and it felt much better. I’m sure I’ll find more interesting things as I unlock them, but for one day’s use I am one very satisfied customer!

   One thing you might not like is that it sometimes has you switch from the right-handed to left-handed fighting stance. I’m a lefty but fight right-handed and my footwork is much better from that stance. I can compensate enough from the southpaw stance, but you may find your balance is off for a while as you get used to it.

   Small edit: After 3 days of use I’ve found that it does have a few control problems, but they aren’t bad. All that happens is you lose a bit of score. I know I did the motions so that’s what counts with me.

7. Jennifer E. Gasper — July 22, 2010 #

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   If your looking for a good sweat this game is it! This game will have you working up a sweat fairly quick, while working out your arms and legs. Mostly it works out your arms but when you throw in the defense moves your legs will feel it trust me!
   
   I’ve had this game for 5 days now and have only been able to workout with it three times because it’s left me so sore afterwards. Yesterday I did the beginner exercise that worked on the defence ducks and today I can’t hardly walk and climbing stairs is killing me!
   
   I love this game though it leaves me feeling exhausted and like i just got done with a really good workout. Like i feel when i leave the Gym. Paired with my Wii Fit i think this is going to be a very good buy!

8. Y. LEE — July 23, 2010 #

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   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.

9. A. Journey — July 24, 2010 #

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   I absolutely love this game!! The boxing part of this game (which is the main exercise) is absolutely amazing.. Give me a cross over punch! duck, move those feet! I loved the boxing that came with Wii sports and this is great if not better. I just unlocked the jumprope exercise routine and hope that it is just as fun as the boxing part.

   My word of advise for those people who haven’t bought the game and are thinking about buying this game is to ask yourself if you like boxing games? If you answered yes than definately get this game, but if boxing is not your forte DON’t buy this game as this workout game is mainly centered around boxing.

10. Instant Runoff Voting — July 24, 2010 #

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    For getting a workout with Wii, I’ve tried five games: Gold’s Gym Cardio Workout, Samba de Amigo, We Cheer, Helix (Wiiware), and My Fitness Coach. The two I really like are Gold’s Gym Cardio Workout and Samba de Amigo. I could not get the hang of We Cheer. My Fitness Coach requires too much floor space, and it is difficult to see how to do the moves as you are supposed to do them. Helix was kind of boring.

    GGCW is a pretty simple game. You learn a limited number of moves at a time and practice them in bouts of 1-2 parts of 6-7 minutes each. Even when the punching is the focus, you are to continuously lean forward and back at the same rate. I use wrist weights with thumb holds, and the workout is intense. I’m in decent shape and am in my 20’s so be careful! It would be nice if the game could calibrate for wrist weights, but that change would probably still not make the calories burned measure accurate. A “punch” (or dodge, etc.) is registered when there is an abrupt change in the acceleration vector of the controller, like when you pull back quickly during a punch to return your hands to ready position. If you’re slow returning your hands to ready position, however, you’re punches may not register– you’ll get a “Miss”. Still, be careful: I’m not responsible if you’re overzealous and hit yourself or someone else! The bursts of movement (delta acceleration), rather than the distance moved, makes the difference. (Taking physics has empowered me to write Amazon.com reviews.)