I’m sad to say that this will be the last UFC Personal Trainer Diary I write. Obviously this is not something I’ve taken lightly, but currently there are too many issues for me to want to continue.
A lot of the problems I’m having are Kinect based, as it seems that my (fairly typical) living room just doesn’t have enough space to allow me to be recognised properly. Time and time again Kinect has lost track of me halfway through floor based exercises, despite the fact I’m clearly there because a ghostly outline is still visible on-screen. Even when I stand back up and jump about like an idiot Kinect refuses to acknowledge me until the exercises have finished – although of course by that time I’ve failed the task.
[drop] I’m also having problem with sunlight. My room has a nice big patio door, which lets lots of light in. On a sunny day, even with the blinds closed, this screws up Kinect something rotten and it ends up only recognising less than half of my body. Not good, although I’ve had similar problems with the PS Eye and Move.On top of that I don’t like the inconsistent way Kinect tracks your movements. As someone who has done boxing I can punch fast and sometimes Kinect manages to keep track, but at other times it skips several punches as it simply can’t keep up. The same can be said for leg lifts, and I don’t even do them that quickly.
The game itself is also very glitchy. Minor lock ups are common, and when they occur halfway through something like a squat the game registers the move as a fail. Rather more concerning are the lock-ups which render the Xbox useless for a good one to two minutes.
For some reason the game has also marked me down as missing two sessions, despite the fact I very much completed them and saved my progress in the normal way.
This is all a real pity, as the exercises UFC Personal Trainer was throwing at me were starting to have a real effect. My core muscle strength had started to increase, with sit-ups becoming so much easier. The same can be said for various leg muscles, and my shoulders. More importantly, the game was also starting to boost my confidence.
Ultimately, despite the many benefits, I just can’t bring myself to spend anymore time with something that doesn’t function as intended. I shall take the exercises learned from this experience and transfer them into my gym routine. At least the gym works when the sun is out.
R4U Eldave0
Whilst I have no intention of buying this game, I have to give you a pat on the back for doing the only sort of review that makes sense with a game like this :)
Reading a review from someone who has only briefly played the game and has then given it a score out of 10 means nothing with a game like this, while a thorough analysis of the tech, etc over a 2 week period actually gives the reader an idea whether the game is right for them or not.
Keep it up TSA
3shirts
I agree. For a fitness ‘game’ you really need time to find out if it really works. Plenty of Kinect games would make you feel like you’d done a good workout if you just hammered them for a few hours for a review.
Tuffcub
I’ve got Zumba Fitness now, thought we’d better have a look at it seeing as it’s outselling everything for 8 weeks in a row.
Expect a feature soon (chachacha).
Amphlett
Tuffcub, I think as part of the feature on Zumba Fitness you should post a video clip of you in action!
Tuffcub
There will be NO videos and I will not be making a twat of myself at Eurogamer. Kris will.
3shirts
This is exactly the impression the advert gave me. Good exercises but it’s never gonna work the way they imply.
Shame cos it sounds like it has potential
rept0n
Get Sports Active 2 for PS3 (can be found for around £13 these days).
I’m a week into a 9 week training program.
It’s really good, pushing me, and most importantly… works.
I feel a little disappointed that it doesn’t use Move, but after your report on the above, that’s probably for the best – plus that £13 includes the resistance band, motion sensors for both arms and right leg (as well as one of these sensors being the heart rate monitor).
R4U Eldave0
Agreed. Sports Active 2 is awesomesauce. Like all Kinect titles it has a few issues picking you up at times but overall its pretty decent (and insanely cheap now compared to the 70quid I paid for it!)
TheLig
I agree completely about Active 2. I completed the full 9 week programme and saw a genuine improvement in my strength and general fitness. This was offset however with the fact that the 4 times a week of bouncing on my toes and putting my weight into my feet in new ways, I broke two metatarsels and was on crutches for four weeks. So by all means jump in, but as soon as there is any pain, get it sorted. Since coming off the crutches I’ve used the exercises learnt minus the programme and have managed to improve my fitness even further without breaking myself again.
Jen A
Another vote for Sports Active 2. Really felt a difference since using it! Does have its problems but seems the best of the bunch so far. Especially as I only paid £13 for it :)
Off topic: I’m envious TheLig! I broke one metatarsal and was on crutches for 3 months! :S Guess ankle problems as well didn’t help :(
Amphlett
Just found a promo clip of Sports Active 2 featuring Melinda Messenger… Mmmmm, sold.
Smallville2106
I got EA Active 2 for £20 and can say it would have been worth the full price. I am currently on week 5 of the 9 week program. IMO it really works. Feel fitter and healthier. It got noticeably harder when I started Phase 2 so I am dreading Phase 3.
I think it’s great that you can use your own weights with it too.
Amphlett
Dan, that sounds like a real shame. Though I’m not an xbox-er, I was really interested in how this tech would work as my mom is really in to her daily Wii Fit workouts.
Just out of interest, and not to snoop in your house, could you post up a photo of your living room so that we, the readers, can get a better idea of the sort of room that Kinect might struggle in? (feel free to blur out some of the dodgy/personal things in the room)
BrainDiver
Sad. A fitness game that actually works would be perfect for me, I don’t need to lose any weight but gaining some muscle would be nice. I wonder if the fault lies with the kinect hardware or the game devs?
XisTG
It went so well in the first week :/
blackredyellow
Good effort, shame you were let down in the end!
Dan Lee
Thanks for all the comments! Bit gutted I had so many problems, when others seem to be managing ok. I guess a huge part of it comes down to room layout, which seems to be the downfall of motion gaming in my house.
Gaztee
Would still like to hear somebody’s experience of this on the PS3. I gather there are less things to do on it too, compared to the 360?