Kinect Required

Calling this title a game is perhaps a stretch too far. Basically what this represents is the next step in the evolution of workout DVDs. There are a number of challenge games available to assist you in competing with another user but ultimately this is an interactive fitness program.

With that first caveat out of the way it’s important to present another one. This title needs much more clear space than any other Kinect titles we’ve tried. If you can only just meet the requirements for Kinect Adventures then you’re going to be at least another two feet (60cm) away from having enough space for Biggest Loser. You need room to be the required distance from the sensor and enough room to lie down both perpendicular with and parallel to the sensor.

Once the software starts up you would be advised to follow the initial set up tutorial and create a custom workout whereby you are assessed by one of the TV show’s trainers. This consists of a workout of increasing intensity on which you will provide feedback (via voice control). After this is completed the game will recommend a level for you to start at.

The acid test, of course, is whether this regime will work for you over a prolonged period of time. Under review conditions that’s impossible to predict with absolute certainty. The exercises are certainly well pitched to give you an all-over workout and you should have no problems getting your heart rate up and giving your lungs a good stretch. There is a large selection of cardio and, with the addition of other basic gym equipment such as a resistance band or swiss ball, muscle toning exercises.

The game’s neatest trick is that it will use the Kinect sensor to scan your body, allowing you to tweak any erroneous measurements later. Once you’ve been following the regime for a while you can re-scan and see how you’ve improved.

Menu selection can be a slight pain due to the on screen cursor having no “snap-to” on the options. You have to keep your hand hovering steadily over the options and after an exhausting workout that’s not as easy as it sounds. Visually things are represented well with familiar faces and settings to anyone who has seen the TV show. We did experience occasional errors with the sensor not detecting full range of motion in our arms or when we were on the floor but that could easily be an issue with our space restrictions.

Ultimate Workout offers a number of different types of training exercise including harder cardio training and lighter core stabilisation exercise like Yoga. It tracks your body impressively and displays a Kinect-eye view of you in the corner of the screen so you can compare your own form to that of your on-screen expert (Bob Harper or Jillian Michaels). You will also be prompted on screen, and audibly by your trainer, if your form is lacking. You can even tell your trainer you need a water break at certain points when they ask how you’re finding the workout.

There are plenty of options and you will get plenty of encouragement with Biggest Loser. You do need plenty of space to get the best from it but in comparison to those fitness DVDs you try for a month after every Christmas this seems like it would offer a lot more personalisation and a lot more incentive to return.

Pros:

• Can be easily tailored to your own requirements.
• Looks good and works well.
• Provides a large variety of exercises, challenges and even recipes to help you.

Cons:

• Requires a lot of space (we recommend a ten foot square in front of your TV).
• Don’t buy it expecting a game.

Biggest Loser: Ultimate Workout is one great example of something Kinect seems to be encouraging: fitness products. It is approachable, enthusiastic and easily personalised so that it should be accessible to all levels of fitness. There are a couple of neat tricks in there but the space requirements might be prohibitive for some.

Score: 7/10