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06/11/2009 04:43 PM

E3 2009: Fitness Games Hit Breakneck Pace

By: Adam Balkin

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Many of the upcoming titles at the Electronic Entertainment Expo are aimed at getting gamers off the couch and into shape. NY1's Adam Balkin filed the following report.

The fastest-growing category of video game is probably exercise games, and just as celebrity fitness experts are creating all over get fit DVDs, so too are they creating fit video games.

Daisy Fuentes of Daisy Fuentes Pilates wants to expand her Daisy Fuentes-themed fitness empire into Daisy Fuentes fitness DVDs.

"It's not a joke, it's a good, proper workout where you will see results," says Fuentes. "And it is just like going to a class at your local studio but much more affordable and much more private. I guide you through every workout. You also have a timed bar that will tell you whether you are doing the exercise correctly."

Not to be confused with the upcoming "The Biggest Loser" video game, one of the TV show's trainers, Jillian Michaels, is coming out with her own new title, "Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2010." Michaels is the first to admit the game is much more fun to do at home than even her own fitness DVDs.

"A comprehensive one-on-one workout, with me on an island taking you through all different types of terrain, and I'm training you every step of the way," says Michaels. "I've designed the workouts, I've created the environment, the fitness and diet tips in the game."

"Dance Dance Revolution" is arguably the game that started this whole "sweat while you play" genre, and the newest version of the game has players moving a little bit differently with their Nintendo Wii.

The game comes with its well-known mat, or can be used with the Wii balance board.

"It has integration of just moving left, right, front, back, but you're also going to have your hip swirls and punching, so it gives you a full body workout," says Lauren Faccidomo of Konami.

Finally, "Wii Fit Plus" brings even more calorie-reducing mini-games to the franchise.

"'Wii Fit Plus' is an enhanced version of 'Wii Fit' that has a lot of new content, 15 new balance games and six new yoga and strength training games," says Kit Ellis of Nintendo. "It also has a lot of customization options, so players can put in how much time they have to exercise and the game will create a customized workout. Also for the first time, we are estimating how many calories players are burning as they play the game."

The game also allows gamers to pick one particular body part to work on or to have a total body workout.