Okay, okay. We all know we should work out more. We should get more exercise. We should eat better. Some things are easier said than done, though, as this is something I’ve struggled with for years. I’ve been trying to remedy the situation by using Goji Play, an iOS and Android gaming system. Keep reading to see if it might be a fit for you and your family.
Challenges to Regular Cardio Exercise
It’s one thing to sign up for a gym membership or buy that new piece of exercise equipment and quite another to actually make use of either. Why? First of all, many of us are already strapped for time and spending some of those precious minutes on a treadmill may seem like a waste. Secondly, it’s boring! I can think of a gazillion other things I could be doing aside from walking in place for 30-60 minutes. Strangely, though, I can easily use that amount of time on playing on my phone or tablet though it’s much less productive.
The company, Blue Goji, decided to combine the activities of in-home fitness or a visit to the gym with mobile gaming. Using the Goji Play bands and your tablet or smartphone, your cardio workout will fly by as you play one of several specially designed game apps. Anything that can make cardio exercise more interesting is A-Okay in my book!
How Goji Play Works
The Goji Play gaming system comes with two bands. These need to be synced to the account you set up via the Goji Play mobile app. This process takes about 10 minutes since each use has to create his or her own account and answer some questions about fitness and play style.
The bands are then placed on the handles of your preferred cardio machine, whether that be an elliptical, stationary bike, stair climber, or treadmill. A small icon can be toggled to select the machine you’re currently using.
You will also choose to use the bands facing forward or reverse-facing. I found that using the reverse-facing gives me better control when holding the bars for balance and for pressing the buttons with my fingers versus my thumbs.
Going Beyond Fitness Apps
I’m already a gamer so I knew this combination of playing and working out would be great for me. Time passes quickly and I break out in a sweat in no time. I can also choose how fast I want to go and when I want to take a break to change games. This sure beats passively staring at the wall or even watching some television show or movie.
So far there are only a handful of games available. I enjoy Smash the Blocks since the controls are super easy but it provides enough of a challenging to keep me interested. This is more of a runner-type platform game in which you have to collect gems and free your buddies. Spin or Die is Frans’ favorite and it makes sense to play a game riding a bike when you are, well, exercising on a bike.
The problem, though is that the faster you move, the faster the character in the game moves. That means playing the game gets harder and maybe more frustrating as you up your cardio. The temptation is to slow down your workout to collect those gems, change lanes, or adjust your technique. It would be much better to have games where more speed will actually help you in the game instead of the opposite.
While Smash the Blocks and Spin or Die are enjoyable, the others are not as appealing to us. Either the gamplay requires much brain power to multi-task while exercising or the concept is too simple to play more than once. There are several other games in the works so maybe the upcoming releases will provide a better variety of engaging yet fun games. Maybe Munchkin will find one she likes out of those new ones.
Goji Play Encourages Fun Fitness
Goji Play keeps a record of when you work out, for how long, how many steps were taken, and the number of calories that are burned. For a better idea of how your overall fitness plan is going, the Gojiverse app puts all of that information in on easy-to-reference spot. You can also track the levels and achievements you are reaching in the games so exercising feels more like gaming.
Each Goji Play set is $119. For a limited time you can get $10 off and free shipping if you use my referral code TERRIANNV10. Just visit this link and enter the code at checkout. Additional Goji Play sets can be used and/or accounts set up so you can compare scores with other family members (ages 6 and up) for some friendly competition.
Using Goji Play has made going to the gym much less daunting. Knowing that I’m getting some good exercise in but having it feel like a game puts me in a better frame of mind and I’m less likely to put it off. I know I can head in, set up my workout station, play a bit, and then be back to the house to finish up whatever else I have to do. The enthusiasm of my family to do cardio together helps a ton too. There are still some bugs to work out and some new updates that need to happen but Goji Play has some real potential in getting the family moving.
Are you and your family ready to #GetUpAndGojiPlay?
This blog post was sponsored by Blue Goji but the opinions are completely my own based on my experience.
