If there is any one console on the market today that has the greatest potential for helping video game fans get in shape it would have to be the Nintendo Wii.  The interactive nature of the motion detecting controllers practically forces you to actually get up and move while playing many of the popular games available on that system (I mean, you COULD sit on the couch while playing Tennis in Wii Sports, but that might just make you a  toolbox).   Nintendo took the fitness potential of the Wii one step further back in 2007 with the release of Wii Fit and the game buying public couldn’t get enough of it.  The game and balance board combination was so popular that one creative individual came up with a website just to track when and where it was available.  Soon similar games followed, including one from fitness expert Jillian Michaels (of The Biggest Loser fame).

With that much public interest in fitness based games for the Wii it seems only logical that EA SPORTS, the developers behind some of the most popular sports video games available, entered the fray last week with the release of EA SPORTS Active.

EA SPORTS Active is a customizable fitness program with over 25 different exercises.   It comes with a leg strap and a resistance band to assist in your fitness efforts, and several of the exercises can be enhanced by the Wii Balance Board if you have one available.

We’ve received a copy of EA SPORTS Active here at ShrinkGeek, and over the course of the next month I’ll be doing weekly updates as I work my way through my first 30 Day Challenge.  Having been an active user of both Yourself! Fitness and Wii Fit in the past I’ll be comparing EA Sports Active to those programs and seeing how it stacks up against them in terms of effectiveness and enjoyability.   I’ll also answer any questions that crop up about the program to the best of my ability.

Check back later this week when I report on my initial thoughts and the results from week one of the 30 Day challenge!

Learn more about EA SPORTS Active at the official site.