Gaming all day can be a blast, but when your game starts to lag, your mind starts to drag. So, what can you do about it? Well, in today's day and age, health seems to be the epitome of conversation. Between random diets and the obsession with exercise equipment, it's hard to get away from it. Instead of fighting the movement, why not join it?
When your screen starts to slow or you need a break from the noob who keeps fragging you around every corner, try these 10 exercises to keep you fresh and in the mood for gaming.
Power Push-Up Plank
This first exercise is super simple and is called a power push-up plank. It only takes about one minute to do, which makes it perfect to do during breaks or long loading screens.
You begin by standing with your feet slightly wider than your shoulders, like in the top left picture. Then you squat down and place your hands on the floor in front of your feet. You're then going to jump back into the plank position -- just like in the middle picture. Make sure you keep your body lengthened. Then, tighten your abs and hold for a count of eight.
Lastly, you're going to do two push-ups. Try to do them on your toes (like the picture at the bottom), and if you can't, your knees make a great alternative. Make sure to jump or walk with your feet toward your hands. Return to a low-squat position on your feet, and then stand up.
Repeat each of these steps four times. By the time you do this, that pesky load screen will be long gone, and you would have gotten in a great ab day!
Bicycle Abs
As the name suggests, this workout is all about your abs.
To do this one, you must lie on your back with your hands behind your head, lift your legs and feet, and make sure that your knees are bent to a 90-degree angle. Next, lift your head and shoulders slightly off the mat. Rotate your torso so that your left shoulder moves toward your right knee. Extend and lower your left leg.
Be sure to alternate sides for a total of 10 reps per side. By the time that you're finished, you'll feel better about eating pizza and guzzling down soda -- plus your game will be finished loading.
Superman
Named after one of our favorite DC Comic superheroes, the Superman is an exercise that works out your arms, shoulders, legs, glutes, and core -- pretty much everything you need to function on a day to day basis.
It also tones your back, providing relief for people like me who have back pains.
To complete this exercise, you're going to need to lie on your stomach with your arms stretched out straight and your legs straight back. Next, you're going to lengthen your body, tuck in your tailbone, and lift your arms and legs at the same time.
Hold this position for 10 seconds and repeat until your loading screen disappears.
Squats
This is probably one of the most difficult exercises to master, that is if you want to do it correctly. (That's why there's a video, wink, wink.)
To properly do a squat, you want to spread your feet apart. Make sure that you're knees don't go over your toes and that your chest is up.
Stretch out your back so that there are no bends along your backside -- but don't overdue it because it could cause strain. Also, make sure that you align your thighs with the floor. You want to make sure that your butt is far back. After all, it would suck to injure yourself.
It helps a lot if you inhale into the squat and exhale when you stand up.
Lastly: never, ever, lift with your glutes. It's just not a good idea.
The best thing about this exercise is that you can do it in sets of three or more, meaning you won't miss out on a thing if you're exercising in the middle of a load screen.
Great, right?
Mountain Climbers
This one should bring back memories from your middle school gym. But mountain climbers are probably one of the quickest mid-game exercises to complete.
You start in the push-up position. Make sure that your arms are completely straight and directly beneath your shoulders. If your body is forming a straight line from your shoulders to your ankles, you're doing it right.
Next, you're going to squeeze your abs, lift one foot off the floor, and bring your knee up toward your chest. Keep your body in as straight a line as you possibly can. Lastly, you'll return to the starting position and repeat each step with your opposite leg.
Do about 10 reps, and you'll be good to fight demons with your broad sword just in time to save your comrades.
It's difficult to find that perfect work, game, exercise balance. But remember: these five exercises are perfect for breaks between mobile, desktop, and tabletop gaming.
And, if you still feel like it's too much to keep up with, there are always alternatives such as Wii Fit, Xbox Kinect, and PlayStation Move. Games like Dance Central, Wii Sports, Just Dance, Arms, and Sports Champions are all games that help you get your exercise on.
Take some time to play these types of games every now and then, and your lack of exercise will be a problem of the past.
Do you think that you'll be trying these out any time soon?
