XaviXPORT: Interactive Fitness

Most people have probably not heard of the XaviXPORT game console. It was released in the U.S. in August 2004, and it enjoys a modest following. It is also the best thing to happen to home fitness in a long time. Read why.

It wasn't long before XaviX parent company SSD Co. realized that if they can get gamers off the couch with their interactive sports titles, then they can get them to exercise too, and have fun while doing it.

In 2005, SSD teamed up with action star Jackie Chan and Jackie Chan Studio Fitness (JCS Fitness) was born. Their first two exercise-oriented applications were released that September.

J-MAT - Expert Fitness Choreography

Sometimes the featured trainers of fitness videos don't seem credible, often out of shape themselves, they seem like they're just trying to sell you on a gimmick. With J-MAT, the personal instructor has instant credibility with a name like Jackie Chan.

J-MAT is not a video game; rather, it is an intense home aerobic system with one thing in mind: weightless.

Before any workout can begin, the system asks for the gender and weight of the user to determine caloric burn. It uses this information to keep track of statistics, such as calories burned per day, per week, per month. It also shows workouts as a length of time, the number of steps taken per workout, and which workouts have been the most effective.

It will store profiles for up to four people, making it ideal for family fitness.

J-MAT comes with a four-panel interactive workout mat and two one pound hand weights. Instead trying to keep up with a video of a video, digitized Jackie Chan shows the way, courtesy of your XaviXPORT console. Every step that Jackie takes is timed, not only to music, but a visual timing system on screen shows users exactly when and where to step.

Aerobics

The primary mode of exercise is called "Step Lively." This mode features three different difficulty levels, for Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced users. Keep in mind that as the difficulty increases, so does the level of impact.

Each difficulty level features thirty different combinations of exercises and routines. Users choose workout times of anywhere between 5 and 32 minutes.

Pick your level, choose your how much time you want to spend working out, and then jump on the mat.

Action Run

Get both a workout and have fun with "Jackie Chan's Action Run." In this mode of exercise, a runner takes control of Jackie Chan on a five minute perilous jog through the streets of Hong Kong.

Users will jump over barricades, run left or right to avoid obstacles, duck beneath dangers above, and battle occasional gang of ninja's by stepping on their face. Jackie Chan's action run is a great warm-up, and is better than coffee in your cup to get those rough morning jumpstarted.

There are three modes of difficulty to the Action Run, each mode adds additional obstacles to overcome. As Jackie sprints down the street, you'll forget that you're running in place.

Vigorous Step

Another workout mode is "Vigorous Step." Vigorous Step adds another 32 fitness routines and is designed to hone timing abilities. To advance to the next level, users must complete their steps in synchronization with the music. Dancers will excel in this mode.

Dash and Reflex

Finally, the last mode of exercise is "Dash and Reflex." Designed to increase reflex times and to train your body to react quickly to queues, Dash and Reflex increases the senses.

With an MSRP of $89.99, J-MAT is at the upper echelon of price for a XaviX title. However, its combination of workout routines outshines $300 worth of traditional exercise videos and costs far less average workout equipment. Anyone looking to lose pounds and have fun should look no further.

POWERBOXING - Step into the Ring

A cross between game and an exercise routine, POWERBOXING lets users burn calories while having fun.

In its "Championship" mode, players take on a gallery of boxers, each with their own moves, strengths, weaknesses, and styles. By guarding, moving quickly, and making the right attacks, with practice, fighters will be able to move from round to round until earning the title, while getting a full-body cardio workout at the same time.

After each round, XaviX displays the calories burned on the screen. After each game, the total calories burned is shown. An average of 40 to 60 calories can be burned each match. Depending upon the stamina and physical attributes of the human boxer in the ring, over 200 calories can be burned per session.

Like J-MAT, system asks for personal information (gender, weight) to determine caloric burn. Unlike J-MAT, however, it does not keep track of and store exercise records.

"Exhibition" and "Exercise" modes are also included in the game to allow players to practice their techniques before going for the championship. All along, Jackie Chan is there to provide congratulations' and encouragement.

With two gloves packed in with the game, the price point of $59.99 is no higher than most PS3 or Xbox 360 titles.

XaviX Lifestyle Manager - Live a Healthy Life

Not really a workout system at all, the Lifestyle Manager incorporates a scale and software to live healthy and be fit. It charts weight over time to track Weight Trends, BMI, Body Fat Percentage and Lifestyle Analysis.

Also, it includes a few warm up and cool-down routines that consist mostly of basic stretches.

The Packaged XaviXScale is easy to use and supports up to 330 pounds. Its 4" LCD display is easy to read. The application cartridge supports up to four different users making the Xavix Lifestyle Manager ideal for family fitness.

Testimonial

I am personally a happy user of the XaviX JCS Fitness products discussed in this article. With J-MAT and POWERBOXING I have been able to burn over 1000 calories a day in less than two hours. I lost fifteen pounds immediately, and I continue to see improvements.

The XaviXPORT console also features a number of highly interactive sports titles that range from Golf, to Baseball, to Tennis, and Fishing and more. It maintains a niche in the wide world of videogames, where production costs often rival the budgets of Hollywood blockbusters. It remains an interactive way to enjoy sports and a fun way to be fit, not just for now, but also for the foreseeable future, making it a worthy investment.