EA Sports Active comes with a game disc, leg strap to put the nunchuck in and a resistance band and whilst you don't need the Balance Board it completes the whole experience if you have one. Active is essentially a personal trainer on disc. When you start off you are asked a few questions to build your fitness profile, these are things like weight and age and from here you can customize your in game likeness from a limited selection like body size, hair and clothing. Once all set up and ready to start you are shown the main modes to select from. There is a survey that asks questions about your day, like what you have eaten, time watching TV and what other exercise you have done that day to get an idea of what you get up to, from the information you supply you are given tips about nutrition and exercise to help you get to your ideal weight and body size and to keep you motivated.

 

The main modes are split into two areas, you have the daily journal where you can pick and choose whatever you fancy and the 30 day challenge. There are 30 exercises in total to work through, with each set lasting about 20 minutes. On the daily workouts you can customise each to your personal tastes like lengthening the time, this however is best avoided until you are used to each move. Each of the exercises are designed to work on different parts of your body like upper, lower and cardio, allowing for entry level body building and a general increase in strength and stamina. All of the exercises have easy, medium and hard settings so for the newcomers it is recommended to take it easy at first, I cycle every day and still found it a little strenuous, but I suppose that is a good sign that it is working.

 

 

Each exercise has a similar screen layout for simplicity, you have a time remaining clock, a calories burned counter and a help video in case you are unsure of what is required of you. There are so many exercises that it will be hard to find yourself getting bored, one moment you can be boxing and the next rollerblading. The variety allows for a full workout with games like tennis where you serve, boxing with targets or a punch bag, running and even dancing. The exercises in Active are a lot more serious than other keep fit games which I actually found more appealing as I was able to concentrate more on the task at hand.

 

Throughout each exercise you are supported by a trainer who will occasionally spout positive slogans at you, however to best help with motivation you are able to go co-op in a split screen mode, so there is no excuse to have your partner sitting on the couch laughing at you, get them up and laugh together.

 

Overall this package feels a lot more professional than Wii Fit, which seemed to be more aimed at family, Active is aimed at the sort person who would hate to go the the gym (myself included) and is a good entry level workout for those who are willing to put the time in.