Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) As A Fun Exercise Program

One of the main reasons people quit an exercise program is a lack of
motivation and goal setting. You may start an exercise program in hopes
of losing weight and becoming more fit. However, as you continue
exercising, you may feel that you're putting in so much effort but
gaining so little. You become unmotivated because it's just too much work.
With Dance Dance Revolution (DDR), kids, teens, and adults can find a
way to stay motivated, exercise, and have more fun. Dance Dance
Revolution is a music game available on both console and arcade. You can
choose from a variety of energetic dance songs. As the song plays, you
have to step on a specific pattern of arrows in response to the song's beat.
Like most games, learning Dance Dance Revolution takes practice. There
is a range of tempos, song genres, and step difficulties, so there is
something for everyone. Beginners can start with easy slow-paced songs.
To get better, simply practice and become familiar with the songs. As
you progress you can gradually choose faster songs and more difficult
step patterns. With enough practice and persistence you'll gain stamina,
become better at foot-eye coordination, and have a better sense of rhythm.
Since the game grades you on how well you've played each song, it is
easy to set goals and stay motivated. For example, if you achieved a 'C'
rating on a song, you can set a goal to get a 'B' rating in a certain
timeframe. If you failed a song, you can set a goal to pass that song in
a certain number of tries. Also, with a partner, you can both play the
same song and participate in some friendly competition. This competition
adds a great deal of fun. Furthermore, it helps you strive to improve
and keep playing so you can beat your dance partner.
To play Dance Dance Revolution, check out local arcades and see if any
of them has a Dance Dance Revolution arcade machine. If they don't, or
you don't want to travel to an arcade, you can get a Dance Dance
Revolution game for a console like Playstation, Playstation 2, or XBox.
Of course, you could play with a regular controller but then you
wouldn't be exercising (unless you consider finger manipulation
exercising). To experience the game the right way, you'll need a dance pad.
There are three main types of dance pads: soft thin pads, ignition pads,
and metal pads. Soft thin pads are flexible, made of plastic, and wear
out quickly. They tend to slip around a lot. I have to constantly
realign my soft thin pad while playing harder songs. If you simply want
to test out DDR, soft thin pads are great. Ignition pads are soft pads
which have a foam insert. The foam insert provides weight, durability,
and comfort. It feels different from the arcade but is easy to adapt to.
Like the soft thin pads, ignition pads will wear out. The best pads for
expert players are the metal pads. They have been designed to give more
of that arcade feel. They have greater durability and accuracy.