Will gamers like it?
Technically, the GZ Pro-Sport and stepper do exactly what they should do and do it very well indeed. The stepper feels comfortable and safe to use, the pedometer provides a clear way to show your progress and the device functions as well as you’d expect, with the game-pad kicking in once you start stepping and cutting off your controller should you stop stepping. If that does happen, a message appears on the screen asking you to re-connect your controller, which should be enough motivation to keep you exercising. As an exercise machine, you simply can’t fault it.As an avid gamer though, I was more concerned with how the machine would affect my gaming. I could certainly do with shedding a few pounds, but if I can’t play Halo 3 and land a sniper shot right between the eyes of a Grunt from a distance, then the machine isn’t for me and probably not for many other gamers either.
Surprisingly, despite the up-and-down movements of stepping, I’ve still been able to continue playing most games as efficiently as I did before. There are a few exceptions, for example, I’ve been switching to ‘play’ mode for FIFA 08 as I can’t help but stop exercising when I need to take a free-kick, a penalty or even when I’m taking a shot on goal, but for slower-paced games such as Oblivion, Two Worlds and Final Fantasy, I can quite easily keep stepping throughout the duration of my gameplay time.
Click for larger imageBy far the best and easiest type of games to use the device with, for me anyhow, has been racing games. I guess it’s something to do with the continual flow of racing around a track that helps with the rhythm of stepping.
As I’ve used the stepper over the months, primarily with the likes of GRID and Burnout Paradise, I’ve been able to build up my endurance and as time has progressed I’ve been able to exercise on the stepper for longer, more sustained periods.
However, despite it being billed as a machine to use in conjunction with your gaming, the most use that my stepper has had has been away from my console. I’ve actually ended up using it regularly as part of my exercise routine, rather than as part of my gaming. It’s not that the two don’t mix, they do to a certain extent, but the fun factor has always been limited to which game I’ve been playing. Using it with games some is great, but with others it's awkward to co-ordinate your stepping and your gaming.
Conclusion
Gamercize certainly do deserve an apology from me. I was hasty with my judgment of its product back in February - it’s certainly not the most pointless gaming accessory on the market. Whilst it’s true that I’m still uncertain as to the value of GZ Pro- Sport to the hardcore area of the gaming crowd, it’s certainly still gong to be a fun way to exercise for casual gamers or for younger children who spend far too much time in front of their gaming machines than keeping fit. I'll certainly continue to use it.
More information about the GZ Pro-Sport can be found at the official Gamercize site.
Pros
Fun way to improve your fitness levels
Comfortable and safe to use, feels and looks like a serious piece of kit.
Cons
Trying to exercise whilst playing certain games, specifically shooters, is difficult.
Appealing mostly to the casual gaming market, the Gamercize GZ Pro-Sport is a fun way to exercise and game simultaneously.
