An Entertaining Workout

Because the label at the top of the cover says "Playstation 2," any adult would automatically assume that Dance Dance Revolution is nothing more than another one of those video games that are all the rage these days. We know different. We know it IS all the rage. Or at least I do. Join me, won't you?

According to gaming-age.com, Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) was created by Konami and introduced in the United States in 2001 three years after its premiere in Japan. At the time it made its debut, there was no other video game quite like it.

The game comes with a dance pad that looks like this:

DDR Dance Pad
- photo courtesy of vidgame.net -

Choose the song you want to dance to and stand in the center of the dance pad to begin. As the arrows show up on the screen, you must step on the right ones at the right time as you move and groove your way to the next stage. Be prepared - there are combinations and twists and turns and jumps!

While game play is a must-know to understand my topic of discussion, it's not what I want to share with you. I want to share my latest discovery: Workout Mode. You can enter your height and weight and choose a workout mode which will lead you through several songs in a row. And at the end of your workout, the game will tell you how many calories you have burned!

In conclusion, not only is Dance Dance Revolution exercise but it's fun! There are so many diets out there now telling you what to eat and what not to eat, how to exercise and how frequently. This is different. Don't give up exercising because it's too routine - mix it up every once in a while with a fun game of DDR. Play in your bare feet but dress for the gym because you're going to sweat!

-Jillian-