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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26947992/
Video gamers are surprisingly fit, says study
Health and games
Still, players scored well on physical health compared to the rest of the nation. They reported exercising vigorously once or twice a week, as opposed to 62 percent of American adults who don't exercise for more than 10 minutes at any time.
Players were also 10 percent leaner than the average American, according to their height and weight reports. Williams and his colleagues used the same self-report questions used in common national health surveys.
Unfortunately, mental health was another matter. "EverQuest II" players were 50 percent more likely than the average American to have been diagnosed with depression, and reported a 20 percent higher rate of substance addiction. However, the researchers said the survey could not tell if depressed or addicted people were simply more drawn to such games to begin with, rather than the game causing ill mental health.
As you know from my previous blog, I think of life as an RPG. But don't you think the gym is even moreso an RPG? You have all these different objectives - Chest/Triceps, Back/Biceps, Legs/Shoulders and you want to increase the weights or reps or speed or endurance each time you go.
I love the weight room. I love dumbbell bench presses most of all. Yesterday, I graduated to the "big boy" dumbells. The light weights go from 5 to 15 and the heavier weights go from 15 to the heaviest it gets in the gym (45 or 60 or 100 or whatever, I am not sure). I usually do the bench presses with 10s or 12s but I managed to do 3 sets of 14-15 with 15 lb weights using the heavier weights ^_^. It felt great. I just hope to keep it up!
Here is my exercise routine:
Monday - Strength 30 min /Cardio (Hip Hop/Elliptical/Treadmill) 1 hr
Tuesday - Flexibility (Pilates/Stretching)
Wednesday - Strength 30 min/Cardio 20 min
Thursday - Strength 30 min (if no Strength on Fri)/Cardio 20 min (Elliptical/Treadmill/Breakdancing)
Friday - Strength 30 min - or - Rest
Saturday - Rest
Sunday - Flexibility (Contemporary/Ballet)
What is your exercise routine?
I am used to doing the strength exercises and I am most consistent with those. I really dislike cardio but I am pushing myself to do more of that. It's fun when a dance class is involved but I don't like the stair master/elliptical/treadmill very much. Flexibility is something I need to get more into considering I can no longer do the splits and I miss it. Plus, having done research on fitness, it seems like it is an essential part that I tend to skip out on.
Link: http://exercise.about.com/cs/exbeginners/a/exbasics_2.htm
Cardio:
* 20-60 minutes of continuous or short-bout exercise
* 3-5 days a week
* Working between 77% and 90% of your maximum heart rate
* Varying the intensity, time and type of your workouts
Strength:
* Choose 8-10 exercises, targeting the major muscle groups (lower body, chest, back, shoulders, biceps, triceps and abs)
* For beginners, do one set of 8-16 reps of each exercise to fatigue. More advanced exercisers can do 2-3 sets.
* Train each muscle group 2-3 non-consecutive days a week
* Work each exercise through its full range of motion and use good form
Flexibility:
* Stretch your muscles when they're warm (after your warm up or, even better, after your workout)
* Do static stretches with a focus on tight areas such as the hamstrings and lower back
* Stretch a minimum of 2-3 days a week...even better would be every day
* Stretch within your range of motion. Stretching shouldn't hurt.
* Hold each stretch for about 15-30 seconds and do 2-4 reps of each stretch
 
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i don't have one, but i have been thinking about making one. or i'll use yours, thanks =). n maybe if i go in with the rpg attitude i may stick to it longer xD
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Yay for exercise! I never thought of it as an RPG, that's pretty nifty actually~
Right now I'm not doing anything specific, just building general strength. I have a really weak back and grip so I've been killing myself on pullups and deadlift~
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Do you think of life AS an RPG or life IS an RPG?
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On October 01 2008 03:14 ilovezil wrote:
Do you think of life AS an RPG or life IS an RPG?
same... thing?
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On October 01 2008 03:18 paper wrote:Show nested quote +On October 01 2008 03:14 ilovezil wrote:
Do you think of life AS an RPG or life IS an RPG? same... thing?
no
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Bill307
Canada9103 Posts
Obligatory xkcd
My exercise routines are:
1. Jogging to catch the bus. Actually I think jogging as much as possible instead of walking is a great way to both exercise and save time. 
2. Carrying groceries home from the store. I've done too much lifting with my biceps, though, so now I have to carry them in funny ways to exercise my other arm muscles.
I'd do the whole exercise = levelling-up thing, except I got bored of grinding in RPGs after highschool. 
On October 01 2008 03:18 paper wrote:Show nested quote +On October 01 2008 03:14 ilovezil wrote:
Do you think of life AS an RPG or life IS an RPG? same... thing?
Simile vs metaphor.
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i used to do 3 days of weight training per week (chest + tris, back + bis, shoulders + legs), 2 days of cardio per week (usually biking), and 2-3 days of heavy drinking to negate any gains i had
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On October 01 2008 03:41 Bill307 wrote:Show nested quote +On October 01 2008 03:18 paper wrote:On October 01 2008 03:14 ilovezil wrote:
Do you think of life AS an RPG or life IS an RPG? same... thing? Simile vs metaphor.
er, yeah, i know, but if you're living it AS an RPG or if it WERE an RPG, you'd be living it in the same way, which makes asking the question pointless
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I just go to the gym 2-3 times per week and do some random weights, sit ups, and that bike shit.
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I do push ups in the bathroom before I shower ^^
*hides*
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Huh interesting ... didn't expect gamers to exercise so much o_O
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Snet
United States3573 Posts
I run four miles a day with pushups / situps / pullups afterward. That's about it right now. I used to weight lift but started getting lazy, but I always run.
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OP, you have the most feminine workout routine ever.
On October 01 2008 03:01 mnm wrote:
Here is my exercise routine:
Monday - Strength 30 min /Cardio (Hip Hop/Elliptical/Treadmill) 1 hr
Tuesday - Flexibility (Pilates/Stretching)
Wednesday - Strength 30 min/Cardio 20 min
Thursday - Strength 30 min (if no Strength on Fri)/Cardio 20 min (Elliptical/Treadmill/Breakdancing)
Friday - Strength 30 min - or - Rest
Saturday - Rest
Sunday - Flexibility (Contemporary/Ballet)
What.
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On October 01 2008 04:31 Mooga wrote:OP, you have the most feminine workout routine ever.Show nested quote +On October 01 2008 03:01 mnm wrote:
Here is my exercise routine:
Monday - Strength 30 min /Cardio (Hip Hop/Elliptical/Treadmill) 1 hr
Tuesday - Flexibility (Pilates/Stretching)
Wednesday - Strength 30 min/Cardio 20 min
Thursday - Strength 30 min (if no Strength on Fri)/Cardio 20 min (Elliptical/Treadmill/Breakdancing)
Friday - Strength 30 min - or - Rest
Saturday - Rest
Sunday - Flexibility (Contemporary/Ballet)
What.
Oh... Gee... I wonder why ![[image loading]](http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/3817/kruemelmonsteryn0.gif)
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I think working out is overrated. Fitness =/= health. Just don't allow yourself to get fat in the first place, getting too much muscle is pointless for a lot of people and it will definately not help you get old. :p
On October 01 2008 04:31 Mooga wrote:OP, you have the most feminine workout routine ever.Show nested quote +On October 01 2008 03:01 mnm wrote:
Here is my exercise routine:
Monday - Strength 30 min /Cardio (Hip Hop/Elliptical/Treadmill) 1 hr
Tuesday - Flexibility (Pilates/Stretching)
Wednesday - Strength 30 min/Cardio 20 min
Thursday - Strength 30 min (if no Strength on Fri)/Cardio 20 min (Elliptical/Treadmill/Breakdancing)
Friday - Strength 30 min - or - Rest
Saturday - Rest
Sunday - Flexibility (Contemporary/Ballet)
What.
http://www.teamliquid.net/gallery/index.php try looking up mnm
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United States4991 Posts
On October 01 2008 04:31 Mooga wrote:OP, you have the most feminine workout routine ever.Show nested quote +On October 01 2008 03:01 mnm wrote:
Here is my exercise routine:
Monday - Strength 30 min /Cardio (Hip Hop/Elliptical/Treadmill) 1 hr
Tuesday - Flexibility (Pilates/Stretching)
Wednesday - Strength 30 min/Cardio 20 min
Thursday - Strength 30 min (if no Strength on Fri)/Cardio 20 min (Elliptical/Treadmill/Breakdancing)
Friday - Strength 30 min - or - Rest
Saturday - Rest
Sunday - Flexibility (Contemporary/Ballet)
What.
Gee, who would have thought mnm would be feminine?
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I always thought she was the butch type to be honest.
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On October 01 2008 04:51 Frits wrote:
she
Oh. It all makes sense now. 
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Calgary25969 Posts
Yea, I didn't feel like registering to call them idiots. Reading the workout routine it should be fairly clear mnm is a girl.
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On October 01 2008 05:07 Chill wrote:
Reading the workout routine it should be fairly clear mnm is a girl.
This would be completely true if you didn't consider the fact that this is a Starcraft forum.
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I just hit the ground and alternate between push ups and sit ups whenever a commercial pops up on TV.
Also bike to buy groceries every week, the round trip is about 7 miles.
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Somebody has got to register and tell them that mnm is a girl.
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On October 01 2008 03:48 paper wrote:Show nested quote +On October 01 2008 03:41 Bill307 wrote:On October 01 2008 03:18 paper wrote:On October 01 2008 03:14 ilovezil wrote:
Do you think of life AS an RPG or life IS an RPG? same... thing? Simile vs metaphor. er, yeah, i know, but if you're living it AS an RPG or if it WERE an RPG, you'd be living it in the same way, which makes asking the question pointless
Just felt right typing it at the moment. Didn't even look to see if it made sense. How gosu is that?
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United States22883 Posts
The study was bullshit, btw. It wasn't even a study, really. You guys have gone to Blizzcon, you know what 9 million WoW players looks like.
For clarification, it was an ONLINE SURVEY of people's height/weight. So yeah, on the internet everyone is 6'2", 180lbs with 11% body fat. If they had asked, the "study" also would have found the average gamer's penis is 14" long.
EDIT: Exercise is really great and mnm is right on with the rest of her post. If I'm free (aka not writing a dozen papers at once) I try to go 7 days a week, with a lifting routine 5 of the days and cardio all 7.
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On October 01 2008 06:04 Ozarugold wrote:Somebody has got to register and tell them that mnm is a girl.
I think it's funnier watching them boost their ego's about being able to lift more weights than a chick without realizing it. They must be pretty weak themselves lmao.
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I'd like to see the data behind the study though, if most gamers are at ideal weight I call bullshit. I predict a graph with a very high standarddeviation meaning that gamers are either very fat or very thin and not really at ideal weight at all but the data just looks like that because if you take them together they average in the healthy zone. Without a standarddeviation, %of girls answered and some other crucial data the study is pretty pointless. There are also so many different types of gamers, most people are just casual gamers who hardly game at all.
Also it's much less likely for a fat person to fill out an online survey about health than a healthy person. An online survey for such a study is a terrible idea and completely unscientific.
Don't most fat people come from poor environments anyway? The fact that gamers are somewhat less fat than people from worker environments is not that surprising, especially since this group makes up most of the population probably.
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United States3824 Posts
RIght now I've been doing a 2k on the Erg (crew machine) every day. This is mostly because I went to school with a lot of crew kids and they used to piss me off with their complaining about erging. Turns out they were right, it hurts worse then any other exercising I've done.
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monday: chest/triceps/abs
dumbbell press/flat bench press
incline dumbbell press/incline bench press
decline dumbbell press/decline bench press
dumbbell flyes/cable crossovers
dips
tricep extension
tricep pulldown
crunches
tuesday: biceps/shoulders/calves
calves raise
alternate curls
preacher curls
21's
lateral dumbbell raise
upright row
wednesday: back/legs/abs
pull ups
lat pulldown
seated row
incline leg extension
glute extension
quad extension
squats
crunches
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Well i think gamers look to the internet more for their information and lifestyles than other people who follow their parents or the tv or government and whats on the net? An insane amount of information about health and fitness.
Playing competitive games for a long time on the net especially strategic games and to a lesser degree counter strike because a lot of strategy is involved in that game too I think this changes the way we make plans and act in life towards goals. I don't think we need as much motivation and reward charts and encouragement and stuff like that to keep us going I think we see an outcome and commit ourselves to achieving, competing almost either against other people or the world to lose weight for example.
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I find that research misleading.
For the X amount of hours gamers sit on their ass playing games, that's X hours they could be outside moving.
Unless, they are including the 1st time gamers such as wii owners as gamers.
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Life as an RPG... how? That does not compute.
My work out routine has usually been
30-60 minutes of basketball
weight lifting in no order and a variety of machines depending on what I feel like and what's available, but basically every major group.
I've always thought working out was pointless and envied small skinny people (they look so carefree and unburdened, particularly when I'm so sore I have less mobility than a senior citizen), but I've never been able to quit ;p. I might succeed now tho, I managed to go through september only exercising twice.
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Where do people find the time to exercise? :S
I work all day, get home late, eat dinner, surf the net for a bit and go to bed. Where's the time? 
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They find it like they find time for any other activity in their spare time? Most people have more time than just to eat dinner and surf the net. :p (I find I don't so much any more T_T) You could always do things like push ups, yoga, running around the block if you don't have time for a gym.
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On October 01 2008 10:24 prOxi.swAMi wrote:Where do people find the time to exercise? :S I work all day, get home late, eat dinner, surf the net for a bit and go to bed. Where's the time?
The best exercises are the ones that you can do with your own body.
Just try to do a load of pushups before you go to bed, takes like 1 minute even if you go as far as 100 (just start at wherever your limit is and upgrade the number every week). You don't really need anything else because pushups will shape your body exactly like you want anyway who needs anything else than broad shoulders and a big chest. Abs are gay and useless.
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Counterpoint: Inc
Simple as that.
I honestly found that as my gaming time goes down, my exercise time goes down... It is really weird. Like when I have time to play SC, I have time to lift some weights, or go running... But homework... Homework is the leading cause of obesity in America's youth!
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Usually at night when I am listening to a lecture recorded earlier by Prof during class, I do
4 sets of
70-100 twists + 50-80 twists while touching toe area
30-35 twisting situps
20 low level crunches (goddamn these are more alkjkj than situps)
and a number of exercises targeting upper body areas whose names I have no clue...
Then put leg weights on do various kicks of varying angles and heights
Take leg weights off after a bit and continue
Speed punch + elbow etc exercises with weights in hand
After those sets, and after recording is done, I go have some fun with my bo staff, if I have time.
Of course, sometimes I don't have the time to do all of these, so if I don't, I do the stuff listed in the middle first, radiating outwards on the list.
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LMAO. Thx SonuvBob. That was hilarious =).
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Bill307
Canada9103 Posts
On October 01 2008 10:09 [X]Ken_D wrote:
I find that research misleading.
For the X amount of hours gamers sit on their ass playing games, that's X hours they could be outside moving.
Unless, they are including the 1st time gamers such as wii owners as gamers.
My guess is that playing competitive games raises your metabolism, and this in turn leads to leaner gamers. I know I sweat like crazy when I'm playing my hardest.
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Yoga + Palates couple times a week.
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On October 03 2008 06:41 Bill307 wrote:Show nested quote +On October 01 2008 10:09 [X]Ken_D wrote:
I find that research misleading.
For the X amount of hours gamers sit on their ass playing games, that's X hours they could be outside moving.
Unless, they are including the 1st time gamers such as wii owners as gamers. My guess is that playing competitive games raises your metabolism, and this in turn leads to leaner gamers. I know I sweat like crazy when I'm playing my hardest.
The reason gaming can make you fat is that when you game a lot of stress is relieved and the thinking processes make you burn a ton of sugar, making you very hungry. So gaming a lot results in eating a lot among a lot of people, which is what makes them fat, not lack of excercising or anything like that.
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Monday: Chest Workout
Tuesday: Back Workout
Wednesday: 2 hours of Krav Maga
Thursday: Shoulder Workout
Friday: 2 hours of Krav Maga
Saturday: Rest/Tennis/Soccer
Sunday: Arm Workout
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On October 03 2008 07:03 BuGzlToOnl wrote:
Yoga + Palates couple times a week.
yoga is a bunch of bullshit just go running
in the same time you can do pushups, pullups and situps which will actually do more than just a placebo effect
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On October 03 2008 07:16 Frits wrote:Show nested quote +On October 03 2008 07:03 BuGzlToOnl wrote:
Yoga + Palates couple times a week. yoga is a bunch of bullshit just go running in the same time you can do pushups, pullups and situps which will actually do more than just a placebo effect
Ahaha, tell this to a group of women and they're going to rip you apart for killing their beliefs. But hey, maybe it's not his goal to get ripped and/or big?
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This says more about the average American than the average gamer.
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On October 03 2008 07:16 Frits wrote:Show nested quote +On October 03 2008 07:03 BuGzlToOnl wrote:
Yoga + Palates couple times a week. yoga is a bunch of bullshit just go running in the same time you can do pushups, pullups and situps which will actually do more than just a placebo effect
Don't talk if you don't know, I don't do it to bulk up it helps in a lot of other things.
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I hate walking/jogging. makes me wish i could rocket jump.
Also when playing games i tend to eat less, which is a good thing. i remember when my computer broke i hit a bag of doritos like there was diamonds at the bottom. Boredom is a very bad thang.
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On October 03 2008 10:10 BuGzlToOnl wrote:Show nested quote +On October 03 2008 07:16 Frits wrote:On October 03 2008 07:03 BuGzlToOnl wrote:
Yoga + Palates couple times a week. yoga is a bunch of bullshit just go running in the same time you can do pushups, pullups and situps which will actually do more than just a placebo effect Don't talk if you don't know, I don't do it to bulk up it helps in a lot of other things.
Did I say it did nothing? Placebo effect is usually accompanied by the release of endorfine and other chemicals that no doubt heighten your resistance and well being, I bet you feel great while performing your little dance routines.
I'm just saying that besides that it's a bunch of laughable crap like acupuncture and astrology. People always try to find (admittedly hilarious) explanations for stuff and make connections that just aren't there. You will accomplish the same by playing some nice and relaxing game on your xbox.
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There are different types of yoga classes out there. I thought at first it was boring, sitting still and just breathing but it does help stretch out those muscles so that it's not as susceptible to getting hurt, etc. It isnt bad actually when it challenges you.
Benefits of Flexibility Training
By Chad Tackett, president of GHF
Flexibility is a joint's ability to move through a full range of motion. Flexibility training (stretching) helps balance muscle groups that might be overused during exercise or physical activity or as a result of bad posture. It's important to clearly understand the many benefits that result from a good flexibility program.
Improved Physical Performance and Decreased Risk of Injury
First, a safe and effective flexibility training program increases physical performance. A flexible joint has the ability to move through a greater range of motion and requires less energy to do so, while greatly decreasing your risk of injury. Most professionals agree that stretching decreases resistance in tissue structures; you are, therefore, less likely to become injured by exceeding tissue extensibility (maximum range of tissues) during activity.
Reduced Muscle Soreness and Improved Posture
Recent studies show that slow, static stretching helps reduce muscle soreness after exercise. Static stretching involves a slow, gradual and controlled elongation of the muscle through the full range of motion and held for 15-30 seconds in the furthest comfortable position (without pain). Stretching also improves muscular balance and posture. Many people's soft-tissue structures has adapted poorly to either the effects of gravity or poor postural habits. Stretching can help realign soft tissue structures, thus reducing the effort it takes to achieve and maintain good posture in the activities of daily living.
Reduced Risk of Low Back Pain
A key benefit, and one I wish more people would realize, is that stretching reduces the risk of low back pain. Stretching promotes muscular relaxation. A muscle in constant contraction requires more energy to accomplish activities. Flexibility in the hamstrings, hip flexors, quadriceps, and other muscles attaching to the pelvis reduces stress to the low back. Stretching causes muscular relaxation, which encourages healthy nutrition directly to muscles; the resulting reduction in accumulated toxins reduces the potential for muscle shortening or tightening and thus reduces fatigue.
Increased Blood and Nutrients to Tissues
Another great benefit is that stretching increases blood supply and nutrients to joint structures. Stretching increases tissue temperature, which in turn increases circulation and nutrient transport. This allows greater elasticity of surrounding tissues and increases performance. Stretching also increases joint synovial fluid, which is a lubricating fluid that promotes the transport of more nutrients to the joints' atricular cartilage. This allows a greater range of motion and reduces joint degeneration.
Improved Muscle Coordination
Another little-known benefit is increased neuromuscular coordination. Studies show that nerve-impulse velocity (the time it takes an impulse to travel to the brain and back) is improved with stretching. This helps opposing muscle groups work in a more synergistic, coordinated fashion.
Enhanced Enjoyment of Physical Activities
Flexibility training also means enhanced enjoyment, and a fitness program should be fun if you want to stick with it. Not only does stretching decrease muscle soreness and increase performance, it also helps relax both mind and body and brings a heightened sense of well-being and personal gratification during exercise.
As you can see, flexibility training is one of the key components of a balanced fitness program and should be a part of your exercise routine. Without flexibility training, you are missing an important part of overall health. Flexibility training provides many important benefits that cannot be achieved by any other exercise or activity. Good luck: I hope you enjoy all the wonderful benefits of an effective flexibility training program.
from http://www.freeweightloss.com/article19.html
Look up "flexibility" and "synovial fluid"
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EPT
