Happy National Video Game Day?!?!?

Celebrate National Video Game Day the Healthy Way with Celebrity Trainers Chris and Heidi Powell - Learn more at https://heidipowell.net/2479

Happy Monday and . . . Happy National Video Game Day!

Yes! I, who loves the out-of-doors and staying active, did just actually wish you a Happy Video Game Day!

Now, you may not want to admit it, but more likely than not, you may fit into one of these almost startling statistics:

? The average video game user plays 18 (yes, that is 1 ? 8) hours of video games a WEEK! (That is the equivalent of 120 9-minute missions or a part time job!)

? 2 in 5 gamers are women. And who knew? 80% of women pick the Nintendo Wii over the Xbox or PlayStation. Interesting!

? While you may be thinking its all the teenagers out there racking up those 18 hours a week, you may be surprised to learn that the average age of a gamer is 32 years old!

? Fortunately, it appears that the #1 game of the Top 5 Best Selling Video Games ever is Wii Sports! Sweet!

I was glad to see that Wii Sports was #1 because you can actually use your favorite game console to get a workout in and get the kids and adults moving, sometimes without really even realizing they?re getting a workout!

Here in Arizona, it?s a great option, too, when it?s a toasty 116* outside! You can stay inside in the air conditioning and still get some exercise in.

Here are 5 great games that can get everyone in the family moving and active!

1. Just Dance: This series of games will definitely get the heart rate up as you attempt to keep up with the dancers on the screen! Available in a myriad of versions, including a Disney Party version, you’ll have lots of variety to keep the workout interesting. Available on Xbox and Wii.
2. Disney Party for the XBox gives full body play action for the entire family! Activities include tennis, baseball, skiing, football and more! Several variations available.
3. Zumba Fitness will certainly help you not only find your groove but burn some calories along the way! Available for Wii, XBox and Playstation.
4. Wii Your Shape Fitness Evolved is great for those just starting a fitness routine.
5. The Limited-Edition Wii Sports Resort Bundle with Two Wii MotionPlus is great for families with the two bonus MotionPlus. This takes Wii Sports to a whole new level!

While we have our fair share of games at our house (Matix is passionate about Skylanders at the moment!), Chris and I have a few rules that come along with the game consoles.

If the kids want to play a video game, they need to head outside and play for 60 minutes THEN they can come back in and play their favorite games. It works great for our family. Everyone stays active and everyone can have fun.

Do you have a favorite game that gets you moving? Any special rules that come along with your game console? Share your answers in the comments below!

*Statistics from OnlineEducation.net

14 Responses

  1. I am so over video games, only because my hubby is obsessed with them. We dont spend quality time together with the kids or just together, because he sleeps days, works nights and plays video games in between….I wish they didnt exist sometimes.

  2. My son is the gamer in our house. He has played video games since he was young and still does at 13. We do not let him play during weekdays during the school year because he was getting so addicted to them. After report cards come out I let him have 30 minutes per each A or B grade and he gets to play that time on weekdays. Limiting games during the week has made it so much more peaceful and he doesn’t play them as much on the weekend either. Summer vacation he does enjoy playing them for sure! Even with the ipod/tablets I have to limit during the school year because both of my kids can’t hardly put them down. They do love the Wii games and so do I to keep them active! I wish I had a Wii growing up!!

  3. I didn’t even know there was a national video game day. Good thing to have here in Phoenix where it’s a trillion degrees out in the summer.

  4. Oh wow! We have the same exact rule about video games and computer games at our house! 1 hour outside for every hour they want to be on the computer or video games. I have to tell you that this is my favorite post. One, because it validates that I am indeed doing something right and healthy when it comes to my children and two, because it gives some great ideas for other video games we can try to get the kids to play!

  5. I adore this post! My family is an eclectic mix of activities and gaming as well. (Mine are Skylanders fans) I appreciate your reminders for balance. Moderation in all things right? I think what makes this advice so wonderful, is that your family is so relate-able! Thank you, thank you, thank you.

  6. LOVE this post! I prefer the xbox over my wii. But I do believe I need to stock up on some of these games mentioned! 😉

  7. I absoulutely LOVE Wii Zumba!!! After a non-stop 8-5 day at work, dinner, getting my husband off to work (night shift) and putting the kids to bed (for the 3rd time)I love being able to put my tennis shoes on and sweating it up on MY time!!!!

  8. There is also a great exercise system called kinect. It is for xbox360. The games always make me sweat. The Star Wars game is a blast. Another idea to help gamers do the bike and treadmill at home is what I have always called “power gaming” I didn’t come up with idea mind you but the idea is pretty simple. You put a game on, get on the bike or treadmill, and go at a comfortable pace. I know the CEO of roosterteeth actually gauges or labels games by the mileage he puts into the game. Another idea I do is. During the cut scenes do a few intervals while you enjoy the game.

    Your’s and Chris’s show has been very inspirational. I don’t think there has been an episode I have seen that hadn’t made me tear up at least once. Thank you!

    Shelly Wilkinsl

  9. Teaching my niece how to do Wii sports is so fun. She is 5 yrs old and its dun watching her get tired out from bowling and tennis. 🙂

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