In case you've never heard of DDR, the premise of the game is explained here (http://www.ddrfreak.com/aboutddr.php).

I borrowed a friend's copy of DDRMAX2 (for PS2) along with his foam mat last week and have been playing it for about an hour or two every day. It might seem very silly, but to be quite honest, it's a VERY good HIIT workout. The best part about it: it's addicting and you don't even realize how hard you're working out half the time.

It's also very easy to learn. In the week since I've first started playing, I've advanced to Standard mode (there's beginner, Light, Standard, and Heavy modes with each mode being a bit harder than the one before it). Each song also has a certain difficulty and beats per minute.. the faster the song, the faster your feet will be popping about trying to hit the arrows.

Back to the workout it gives... Normally I'd do 30 minutes of HIIT in the morning on my treadmill doing 1 minute at 90%, 2 mintues at 60%, repeat. In the end, I'd burn probably 400 calories. I slapped on my HRM for a quick 30 minutes of DDR and the results were even better. 610 calories burned with a average of 75% max heart rate. My heart rate would hit 85-90% of the max during each song after about a minute or so, but luckily the songs are much longer than that (some are probably 2 minutes max). Once the song is over, your heart's racing, but you can change songs and put on a slower one until you're ready to hit a fast song again.

There's also a workout mode which tracks how many calories you burned, but honestly, I haven't used that much.

So if you're getting bored with the same old 30-45 minute cardio routine, you might wanna check this out... it'll definitely make those workouts seem a LOT shorter, and IMO, works you harder.

I have DDR for the playstation 1. I mainly only use the workout mode. It hasn't replaced my cardio though because I am not sure how accurate the calorie count is and because it isn't a constant exercise (stopping at end of song to change the song). It still is great exercise though!

I'll try out the calorie count tomorrow by matching it up in game vs. my HRM. Just got done playing for the past 90 minutes and I'm exhausted.

The stopping at the end of the song is how it shares its similarities with HIIT, although I find that my heart rate doesn't come down fast enough. Once the song is over, I think it takes what.. probably 10 seconds to flip to a new song to start again.

If I happen to hit 85-90% during a song, I switch it to something with a lower BPM. Usually I'm back down to 70% by the time it's over.. just in time to put it on a faster one!

I've noticed it also gives your calves a nice workout. Songs with a heavy stream/voltage (lots of 8th/16th notes) have you tapping so fast that you feel the burn almost immediately.

DDR is AWESOME!!!

I passed MaxX Unlimited the first time awhile ago (on heavy)...Now *THAT* is an HIIT workout all by itself.

-Allen

Tsugaru is fun too :) So is Afronova and So Deep.

I try to do 300 calories a day on Dancing Stage (the UK version of DDR) during the weekdays. Seems to be working though, down 27lb since end of Jan. (Although the fact I dont eat as bad as I once did may help too)

Basically, it is the only form of cardio I would TRULY call 'Fun' (As in, I would do it even if it weren't exercise) that I've ever found (That can be done anytime you want)

-Allen

DDR is AWESOME!!!

I passed MaxX Unlimited the first time awhile ago (on heavy)...Now *THAT* is an HIIT workout all by itself.

-Allen

Tsugaru is fun too :) So is Afronova and So Deep.

DDR is the greatest game ever invented! It is a great workout and it is sooooooooooooooooooo fun! :tu:

How much does it cost? Do you need a playstation or can you use a DVD player?

How much does it cost? Do you need a playstation or can you use a DVD player?

Needs a playstation2, or XBox. The games cost about 40$ I think and often include 1 plastic/foam dancemat. I got my first games with 2 dancemats from Ebay for 40ukp£.

Needs a playstation2, or XBox. The games cost about 40$ I think and often include 1 plastic/foam dancemat. I got my first games with 2 dancemats from Ebay for 40ukp£.


sweet burning calories and playing a game, im going to get this next weekend~!

Trinity,

If you are interested I suggest you head to a local mall or arcarde and give it a try (it was originally an arcade game)

Play on the easiest levels and just give it a shot (it takes a little getting used to)

If you like it, then you'll need either an Xbox or PS2, with a copy of the game. This should come bundled with a 'crappy' mat. If you are serious about playing it for cardio, you will probably want to upgrade to a more sturdy mat such as one from www.redoctane.com or, for the cadillac of DDR Pads (With a Cadillac price!!) www.cobaltflux.com

You showing up at the arcade to play this game will give the geeks who hang out at the arcade a heart attack :) (Woooah hot chick playing video games alert!)

-Allen

DDR junkie here, it has been my primary source of cardio for the last four months.

It serves pretty much every aspect you could hope for in a diet. It is self adjusting with the different difficulties allowing you to ramp how fast and hard it is based on individual fitness levels. It keeps you motivated and doesn't get repeatative and boring like so many other forms of cardio.

My biggest problem when finding a cardio exercise I could do is I have asthma and I can't always commit to a constant level of activity or else I have an attack. DDR is nice because everything comes in ninety second blocks, so I can keep going or take a break whenever and since it is in the comfort of my living room I never have to worry about anyone waiting in line.

I agree that the calorie counter might be off a little bit on the work out mode, but I just use the calories as a comparision of how much I do not as an actual number.

40 lbs ago I started DDR'ing about ten to twelve minutes a day on the easiest difficulty. Now I'm up to forty five minutes of heavy songs which burns three times the calories of when I started.

All in all it is a good investment if you have not found another form of cardio you can stand.

I also broke down and got the 100$ foam pad, and wow, it's nice. Like really nice, my feet thank me.

Yea, if you are serious about DDR at all you NEED to buy a better pad because the piece of crap that comes bundled with the game

a) will move around on you which is irritating
b) start to 'break' and cause missed steps/ghosting which is very frustrating.

-Allen

It also works with playstation 1. Most of the pads work with PS 1 and 2, you just need a PS1 version of the game. I have konamix, which I have heard is better than most of the PS2 DDR games anyhow.

Konamix is OK, but DDR Max 2 is probably the best for beginners, since it has a beginner mode and a ton of songs.

-Allen

Konamix is OK, but DDR Max 2 is probably the best for beginners, since it has a beginner mode and a ton of songs.

-Allen

Konamix has a beginner mode also and around 50 or so songs. :tucool:

I stand corrected, I must have been thinking of a different PS1 version of DDR!

I suppose you could get Stepmania and just download all the songs from all the mixes, plus a ton of original stuff, but that'd be stealing.

-Allen

Okay, I've been watching this thread, and you guys sold me. I just bought a PS1, a mat, and Konamix.

When it all comes in and I try it out, I'll be back to tell you stories about how I got my feet twisted in knots and fell down. :tu:

Okay, I've been watching this thread, and you guys sold me. I just bought a PS1, a mat, and Konamix.

When it all comes in and I try it out, I'll be back to tell you stories about how I got my feet twisted in knots and fell down. :tu:

Yeah! My bf moves in next month & he has a PS2. He's joked about getting this for me so I'd "appreciate" video games...I think I'll be taking him up on that one! Thanks for the advice :spaz: <- me dancing

Actually...can you rent this one from Blockbuster?

Kirby

Okay, I've been watching this thread, and you guys sold me. I just bought a PS1, a mat, and Konamix.

When it all comes in and I try it out, I'll be back to tell you stories about how I got my feet twisted in knots and fell down. :tu:

You didn't try it at the arcade first :)

That was good advice, but I hope you like it!

Be prepared to invest in a better pad if you like it, and give it a chance it takes a little while to get a hang of.

There is a board full of ... young folks ... at www.ddrfreak.com, that will snidely insult you for any questions you might pose! But it is a wealth of information.

-Allen

You didn't try it at the arcade first :)

I couldn't bring myself to try it there. There is always a group of teenagers next to that machine and all of them are really good. And all of them speak Korean, and I don't. So, the thought of teenagers snickering at me and to each other in a language that I don't understand wasn't appealling. :p (Okay, they probably wouldn't have snickered, but all of them are incredibly good, so I would have really looked like an idiot by comparison.) :p And anyway, it certainly looked like fun. :)

I got everything on eBay and spent about $90 total.

Yea, the arcade can be intimidating but the community is usually really welcoming to new folks. It is a 'nice' group of kids, even though they are show offs :P

Please report back and let me know how you liked it!

-Allen

It is also one of very rapid learning.

When you first start out you will be bad at it. IT will be overwhelming and you will want to quite because you feel like an idiot. But stick with it and you will see results and you will improve very fast.

Just like normal dieting, stick too it and don't give up and you will see the results you want.

If you ever played any musical instrument, especially drums, you will be much better at it as well.

Reading the arrows is kind of like reading music, only sideways

-Allen

I lost around 15 lbs on this last year in 3.5 months, playing about 1-2 hours a day.
Great workout. I'm gonna go do it now. All this talk of it makes me want to play really bad!!

Dance Dance Revolution is one of the greatest games of all time in my opinion. DDR can be had for PlayStation 1 and the versions are pretty good, some of the best in fact. The Konamix version has 52 songs and they're pretty challenging. DDR Konamix though is kind of hard to find, so some places on the internet will charge a lot for it ($30-40).

I've read a couple places in this thread that the PS1 version of Konamix is better than the new versions coming out on the PS2 and Xbox. I gotta tell you guys you're way wrong.

I have a PS1 with the original DDR for it, along with Konamix and Disney Mix. I also have an Xbox with the DDR Ultramix version available for it. Lastly, a good friend of mine has a PS2 with DDR Extreme. I'd say I'm covered fairly well.

Konamix was a good step up for the PS1, but it just cannot beat the better technology of the PS2 and the Xbox. The Xbox uses cell-shaded dance characters in the background for dances, and there are a TON of songs you can unlock as you get better. the best part - it actually has some songs that you can recognize.

for the PS2, it gets even better with better moves, TONS of songs, and some songs actually use full motion video in the background. gotta love that.

between myself and my friends, collectively, we've owned a ton of different dance pads. I actually bought some generic metal ones off Ebay at one point, and well, let's just say they are waiting for the next trip to the dump. get the Cobalt Flux metal pads and you won't be disappointed. at our last party, we had two 230+ pounds guys jumping and dancing at the same time on the pads, and neither one of them was showing signs of buckling under the weight. very cool indeed.

k, back to work :)

Bump for the cobalt flux. I have a pair and they cost a crapload of money, but compared to a quality treadmill or other exercise equipment they are worth it and will last forever.

I've never played the "older" versions of DDR like Konamix so I can't say how good they are. DDR Extreme and DDR Max 2 are fantastic, however, and like you say have a few songs people will at least recognize :P

That actually makes it a lot more fun, but hey.

I'm just curious to hear Freemasons impressions.
1) Intro level / unreliable pad
2) OLD version of the game with whacked songs
3) Beginner player never having played before.

I'm afraid she'll be a bit disappointed, at first.

-Allen

Konamix is a damn good version. Its not like Extreme, Ultramix, or MAX but its still a good game. The original US DDR is a good game. I just like the DDR track selections from the Japanese versions between 1998 and 2000, which the PS DDR games embody. However, if you want recognizability, those games I guess are good. Konami also announced DDR Ultramix 2 for Xbox, due out later this year. More DDR for everyone to enjoy.

has anyone who lives in an apartment had problems with their neighbors because of the noise generated by all that foot stomping? ive never seen the home version of the game but the kids at the arcades seem to really pound away at that pad

It's funny, everytime you boot up the game there is a warning screen that says not to disturb those around you :)

Yes, if you play upstairs from someone you will piss them off

-Allen

Okay the pad and the Konamix game came in. (The PS1 came in a couple days ago.)

Fun!

I really like it. I suck, but I'm getting better. The lessons are very helpful and have made it a lot easier.

My husband likes it too. He likes to watch me and laugh. :p

So far I definitely think it's worth $90. Doesn't feel like working out at all, but must be doing something because there's lots of sweating. And I got a cramp in my foot. :)

Seems that it will really aid in developing agility as well as being a great workout. :tu:

Oh, and Allen was right about the pad that comes with the game being a piece of crap. Good thing mine came with two pads because the first one already has a short in it. :jumping: And I'm not even a stomper. . . :)

Hehe Yea they are really terrible :P

If you are at all serious about playing for fitness (Which would mean regularly) you will want to invest ANOTHER $90 or so into one of the Redoctane pads (still a softmat) or if you are really psycho about it, a $250 Cobaltflux pad.

The cobaltflux can literally be driven over repeatedly by an SUV and be playable.

Freemason, I'm glad you enjoy it :) Welcome to the DDR club! I know you are technically adept, so if you ever get bored of the songs in Konamix, you can download a program called Stepmania that is a DDR emulator for the PC. A PS2-->USB converter into the computer and BAM you can get all sorts of freeware songs. I also know that every song from every mix of DDR is available, but that would technically be pirating unless you own all the appropriate games.

I currently have something like 350 songs? Variety is the spice of life :)

-Allen

I got two MadCatz pads from last year and still work 100% today without any kind of modding, except for adding some velcro so it sticks to the board (no slipping) Although most people in the DDR community thinks they are terrible but they worked for me.

Konamix is a great mix. I want to get the original US DDR as well. Plus with PS2 now at $149, I might get a PS2 and get MAX 1 and 2. Then wait for Extreme to arrive.

My husband and I are quickly becoming addicted to the thing. Partially because we're so bad at it that we can't stand to leave it alone. :p

Actually I've gotten much better. And today I actually looked through the settings a little and found a way to change the level of game mode. (The default on Konamix is 4-Medium.) Changing this setting has allowed me to actually use the Game Mode. :) (Before I only used Training Mode because I could barely clear one song in Game Mode.)

My husband finally went through the session in Lesson Mode. He's much more entertaining to watch than me. I tend to play silently while he plays while cursing continuously. (My personal favorite was "I only missed like two! What the F level of perfection does this GD thing want from me?!") It's great. :D

We're definitely going to get another pad soon.

This thread has been an excellent guide. :claplow:

My husband and I are quickly becoming addicted to the thing. Partially because we're so bad at it that we can't stand to leave it alone. :p


Here's some more tips that will help now that you've actually played the game.

Don't return your feet to the center. You are penalized for the arrows you MISS, not extra arrows you make up. So, why keep putting your feet in the middle? You just create more work for yourself to have to move them out again!

Try to alternate your feet and avoid double stepping (Stepping same foot 2x in a row). The natural tendancy is to plant yourself on your left leg and hit all Ups, Downs, and Rights with your right leg, and only the lefts with your Left leg. Start freeing your mind to hit any arrow with ANY leg. For the advanced difficulties you have to turn your body and you may in a situation where hitting the right arrow with your left foot makes the most sense.

Arrow patterns like Left, Down, Right almost BEG you to double step, but this will hurt you in the long run. Instead, do a 'cross-over' and use your left foot for the Left arrow, right foot for the Down arrow, and then LEFT foot for the Right arrow. -- This becomes essential later on for the more difficult songs.

Don't step too hard. You'll find as the songs get faster your legs/feet can barely keep up. So, why make them move farther then they have to? You often don't have to put your whole foot on the pad (with crappy pads, you might) but instead just barely get the front of your foot on the arrow, or just your heel or whatever.

Barely raise your feet off the mat, if you can help it; again no reason to move farther then you have to (ACTUALLY for fitness, the more inefficient your motion the more Calories you'll burn, so maybe you want to just go nuts and leap all over the place...but if you want to be good at the GAME -- Conservation of motion is the key :) )

Hope these tips are useful!

-Allen

Hello everyone, new here been lurking for a couple of months, decided to join in. I went ahead a bought a used copy of DDR Ultramix, WOW it was more work than I was expecting. I will definately use this on those days when I am not into doing my regular cardio. Thanks for the suggestion. :spaz:

Hello everyone, new here been lurking for a couple of months, decided to join in. I went ahead a bought a used copy of DDR Ultramix, WOW it was more work than I was expecting. I will definately use this on those days when I am not into doing my regular cardio. Thanks for the suggestion. :spaz:

Hey ShinKen welcome to the club!

For such a deceptively simple concept it sure is FUN and HARD WORK isn't it :spaz:

-Allen

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2004/05/23/national1321EDT0482.DTL

Hey Freemason, how is the DDR going? Has it been a fun hobby that has captivated you or, more of a gimmick that was fun but you don't play all that much?

In my opinion for DDR to be successful you have to really enjoy playing it for IT. (Which is why I always let people try it at my house first, or recommend they spend $5 at an arcade first)

-Allen

I play it almost everyday. I love it. :tu: I've gotten *much* better also, so there are lots of songs that I can do pretty well. I get kind of obsessive. Like if there's one step on a song that I've been missing, I will play that song over and over until I get that step. :p

Oh, and needless to say, some of the songs get stuck in my head. Then I hum them and co-workers ask what song I'm humming. Of course, they haven't ever heard it before. . .

This was on the CNN.com front page.... thought it was realavent, so I figured Id post it.


http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/fun.games/05/24/video.game.diet.ap/index.html

On a related note, it seems that activity/fitness based games are one the rise:

http://www.iht.com/articles/521682.html

Found the link on Slashdot today

You can also get a dance mat for PC. I have this one: http://www.dancemat.com/dancematpc220.html
It comes with a game, but it can also be used to play the freeware (or open source?) game StepMania, which is very similar to DDR and really good. It's not even expensive, 35 euros if I recall correctly.

I definitely have to agree about DDR being the most fun type of cardio! :claplow:

Hi guys, I'm new, but I got DDR a while ago and I think it's helping! :claplow: I only had a Dreamcast and not enough money for a PS or an Xbox, but being a video game fan and really wanting to lose weight I figured hey why not. So I got it and lemme say, this version is outdated since it's for an old system and all, but it's so addicting!! I love it, and it's just the thing to get me up and moving. I can play video games without sitting on my butt and being lazy! :tu: So if there's anyone out there who's a video game addict looking to lose some weight, I highly recommend DDR. :) And I never tried it before I bought it, but it looked like so much fun that I got it anyway, and by the end of the week I could do fairly difficult songs. Easy to learn, but not boring! Who could ask for anything more in exercising? :D

Oh, and needless to say, some of the songs get stuck in my head. Then I hum them and co-workers ask what song I'm humming. Of course, they haven't ever heard it before. . .

I missed this the first time around, I'm really curious which songs get (or got, if you aren't playing anymore) stuck in your head?

-Allen