How to Workout with Dance Dance Revolution

Most of the console editions of Dance Dance Revolution come with a Workout Mode that allows you to keep track of how many calories you burn and eliminates the pressure of getting graded on a song. Using Workout Mode is simple enough, though there are a few things you should know before you start.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Try and work your way up to Light or Standard mode before you start using DDR as a workout. Beginner Mode has very few steps and as such, will give a very weak workout. Standard is the best mode for working out because it provides a challenge while not killing you in a single song like Heavy mode tends to. If Standard is too much for you, Light mode also makes a decent workout.

2. Activate Workout Mode at the main menu.

3. Select how many calories you want to burn in your workout. To give you an idea of how many calories a song is, a typical (more or less) Light mode song will burn between 8 and 14 calories, a Standard mode song between 15 and 25. A 50 or 100 calorie workout is a good place to start, then work your way up from there to 150, 200 or even 300, though 300 takes around an hour and should be taken with a break in the middle. Of course, everyone is different, so find what works for you. Just make sure you’ve given yourself a good challenge!

4. Inputting your weight will give the system a more accurate measure of how many calories you burn, though it is still relative. You needn’t do this if you don’t care to, as the Workout mode will still function, though with less accuracy. Dont worry, the game blanks out the weight so no one can tell what number you entered, and you only ever see it at the workout menu screen.

5. Get dancing! Remember, the more challenging the song, the better the workout it is.

6. Give yourself some time to warm up. Your muscles will tell you what they can manage and starting out on a song like Max Unlimited or Afronova is sure to get some muscles groaning! Start out on something mild, then work your way up.

7. Take a break if you feel any sore muscles, aching bones and the like. The game will not chide you for stopping partway through a workout! Rest for a few minutes and if you feel better, try some more. If you still don’t feel well, it may be wise to turn the game off and come back to it when you do feel better.

8. Be sure to stretch well before you start!

9. Drink lots of water before, during and after your workout!

10. Use the Workout Mode to keep track of how many calories you’ve burned.

11. Keep at it! The key to a good workout is consistency. Make sure you do it often enough to make it meaningful, but not so often it becomes a chore. Have fun with DDR! That’s what its for!

[Sentigen]

on 4/23/2008 Thank you very much!

[melaniejordan]

on 4/23/2008 Very nice article! I have just referenced it in a post to my blog at www.TheHealthyFoodReview.com on exergaming (working out with video games). I'm going to have to try this myself!

Melanie Jordan
Author of Have Your Cheeseburger And Keep Your Health Too!