The big news from Bay Area-based Electronic Arts is that one of the hot fitness gifts for the holiday season went on sale in the US today: EA Sports Active 2. The video fitness system is available for PlayStation®3, Kinect™ for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and Wii™ as well as iPhone® and iPod touch® at a later date.
Worldwide sales begin this Friday, November 19.
Here's the official, PR description: EA SPORTS Active 2 is a new suite of digital fitness programs available on multiple gaming consoles focusing on improving muscular strength, endurance and flexibility, while providing an intense cardio workout. Featuring the Total Body Tracking wireless control system that combines a heart rate monitor and motion tracking technology, EA SPORTS Active 2 provides an effective workout that delivers accurate, measurable results. Additionally, users will now be able to track and share their workout stats, including heart rate on the new EA SPORTS Active 2 online hub (www.easportsactive.com).
Even beyond the PR pitch, however, the 70 fitness activities and nine-week program have a lot of folks excited. One of the biggest parts of the "buzz" is the use of Microsoft's Kinect motion-based accessory which helps make workout more personalized and effective, helping the user get a more intense experience. (If you've tried it, leave a comment below and let others know if the hype is true).
Earlier this year when the game was previewed, it got good reviews with the general consensus that despite a hefty price tag of $99.95 it delivers more fun and a better workout experience. An onscreen trainer helps keep exercises in good form. The National Video Game Examiner did an article last August after seeing an advance copy and said, "EA Sports Active 2 on Xbox 360 has limitless potential to become a major workout hit with the masses. If you are concerned about lag or the camera not detecting you properly, don't worry. In the demo the camera captured the movements flawlessly and there was only around a half second of lag."
EA also released a recent study conducted by the University of Victoria in British Columbia that concludes EA SPORTS Active 2 workouts meet recommended exercise guidelines for exercise intensity and caloric expenditure put forth by public health guidelines, including the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the leading authority on exercise science in North America.
EA Sports Active 2 is available so far at Walmart.com, which makes it available as a "purchase online and ship to store." The San Jose Target store where I stopped didn't have it in store yet, but a check on Target.com showed it was available online.
