EA Sports Active - More Workouts preview

I got to try out the new EA Sports Active "More Workouts" game yesterday - EA was doing a mall event that we stumbled upon, and I noticed that this game was pictures on the banners. It wasn't being demonstrated though, so I asked one of the guys working the booth if they had it so I could try it. It took awhile for him to find it - and he ended up ripping into a new sealed package to get the game out.

The package is a wider box, but it comes only with the game and some little pamphlet of some sort. No additional leg strap or plastic band or anything.

Anyway, he pops the game in and I started poking around. Now instead of a 30 day challenge, there's a 45 day version. And there are a bunch of new exercises - but sadly, all of your old favorites from the original game are *not* included here. This is a HUGE oversight that I'll talk about later on.

I noticed a variety of step aerobics exercises in here - a couple different 10 minute routines. I didn't get to try them out (they didn't have a balance board), but I like this idea. ;)

I did try several of the new exercises. I don't remember the exact titles, but I tried a new boxing one where you're working out with a trainer instead of just a punching bag. New to this game is a "hook" punch instead of just the straight-forward punches in the original. I liked having this variety. You also need to "duck" in this one too in order to avoid getting punched. ;) And yes, my arms are sore in a new place after trying this one out yesterday! Woo!

I also tried a water-skiing game, which seems a lot like the roller-blading-with-jumps from the original game - squat and jump! It was okay.

I did an obstacle course event as well, where you run a short distance and then do a mini-exercise, etc. Interesting. It seemed like a bunch of the mini-exercises were jumping-based, and I have to limit jumping around due to an ol' neck issue.

The last thing I tried was one of the abdominal exercises - it involved doing a crunch and then punching across your waist. I couldn't lay on the floor to do this, but it was interesting to see one of these new abs exercises.

So... when we left, I was thinking, "wow, I will totally pick this up!", but then I got home and checked out the price (the people at the booth didn't know the exact price or release date! I don't understand who they hire to work these things, but most of the staffers hadn't even tried out the game themselves and were watching me and commenting about it the whole time).... anyway, so the price. It's $40. And it doesn't give you access to the full set of exercises from the original game. So if you like those, you'll need to switch out games (and I don't know if they will talk to each other so my efforts in one game count for the goals in both). This is a huge flaw.

I picked up the Wii Fit Plus - and it's only $20 - and it does give me access to everything from the original.

I'm really torn here. I like some of those new exercises, but $40 to not be able to use 'em all, and the hassle of having to switch games all the time... I doubt I'll be racing out to buy this one when it comes out next week. Very sad. :(