EA Sports Active

Active is EA’s answer to Wii Fit, the incredibly popular fitness game that proved so hard to get hold of at Christmas. Active is compatible with the Wii Fit balance board, that all-important peripheral that made the game so much fun.

The Balance Board is a controller that you stand on and it can detect your weight and movement to translate it on screen for performing all kinds of tasks. You can ski, for example, by shifting your weight just like you would on real skis.

But where Wii Fit was focused on balance and flexibility and had lots of mini-games that could be played with the family, Active prevents a tough workout. This isn’t a game you’ll play with the family, it’s meant to help you get fit by presenting a whole range of different activities. This interactive trainer presents a workout routine and features on-screen personal trainers who shout encouragement to help you work up a sweat.

Although it doesn’t come bundled with the balance board, Active does include a resistance band and a leg strap for performing various exercises. The exercises are heavily focused on weight loss and building strength and stamina, and the game tells you an estimate of how many calories you’ve burnt from each workout.

Assuming you’re properly motivated, Active is a far better workout than Wii Fit. It won’t work miracles, but stick to the routines and do the exercises regularly and you should start to notice some improvements to your health and fitness.

Verdict: 83%

Unlike Wii Fit there isn’t much in the way of an actual game here, it’s certainly not something you’ll get out at parties, but it is a very effective and enjoyable workout.