Adidas miCoach Game Review on PlayStation 3

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Looking to stay in shape after the holidays? Adidas miCoach connects fitness fanatics to professional trainers in multiple sports and existing Adidas media.

The Hype

Why leave your house when you can train with the pros right in your own living room? Take your fitness training to the next level, train with word-famous athletes, receive feedback in real-time and get the results you want with Adidas miCoach. Hook up your PlayStation Move and get ready for personal training like you’ve never experienced before.

  • Automatically share your progress via miCoach.com
  • Training Games: Move around your living room with fun sport-related games that hone your reaction times and work up a sweat

The Reality

Even if you are not training for the Olympics authentic and authorized technical sports-training program, Adidas miCoach brings a whole new level of interactivity to your training regime with over 400 exercises. This game uses full body optical tracking using the PlayStation 3 with the PlayStation Move controller (required along with PlayStation Eye camera required).

This game incorporates dumbbells and stability ball and tests player reaction times. Train with 18 total characters on-disc and via downloadable content. Downloadable content also includes new workouts and sports.

Players can view their statistics, log activity and manage schedules and plans from web-capable devices. Look for incorporated capabilities like the add cardio programs that use the miCoach SPEED_CELL™, miCoach Pacer Bundle and miCoach mobile app,  or (sold separately). These product interaction cover a wide span. For example, the free mobile app can track running routes and place the resulting information on the website and in the game. Adidas miCoach also supports the use of any ANT+ compatible heart rate monitor.

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Gameplay expands nicely with special social networks, updates, and communities. Players with existing MiCoach accounts (free) can just enter their Playstation ID and a personalized six-digit code under “Settings > Sharing/Connections”. Players earn Fit Points and awards for each activity and can earn achievements.

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The game begins with a video greeting from the athletes who’ll be “training” you. Their visual avatars are very life like and smoothly rendered overall. Players can get start getting active in this interactive training system video game that includes five sports with specialized trainers in each:

  • Football: CJ Spiller, Eric Berry, Jozy Altidore, Von Miller
  • Soccer: Gareth Bale, Jose Mourinho, Kaka
  • Basketball: Josh Smith, Dwight Howard, Jrue Holiday
  • Tennis: Ana Ivanovic, Andrea Petkovic, Fernando Verdasco
  • Track/Running: Tyson Gay, Jessica Ennis

Players can also take a basic approach with Men’s Training, Women’s Training, or Getting Started categories. There are 18 possible trainers – three female and 15 male.

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Players must complete basic setup information and secure additional equipment, namely a towel, a stability exercise ball, and dumbbells. Roll towel as pad or, of course, use another for swapping up all the sweat. It’s also a good idea to have a pad or even a chair to rest a hand or foot on something for support.

Be sure you have a wide environment so the camera picks up your movements. You need a least 10-12 feet of space in front of your camera with enough room to register jumps, sideways motions, backwards motions, and floor exercises. Lighting is extremely important as well, which makes indoor night workouts a challenge.

The camera feature has full body optical tracking. Not all exercises require the PS Move (tennis and football mainly require it), so it’s like having the Xbox Kinetic game version. Players must find the “sweet spot” on some exercises, but practicing helps. The standing and stability ball exercises track the best. Players can skip exercises plus the timer begins when you move and stops if you get tired or go off camera. Down time options include progression or addition of more time.

The basic “Training Plan” mode approach with Men’s Training, Women’s Training, or Getting Started categories where players can customize their goals among strength building, speed training, body tone, and others. The in-game calendars map out each chosen program, which are challenging and exciting. Advanced player can unlock “master classes” for even more training and instruction.

Many simulation are fun and beneficial. For example the basketball shooting simulation is the best out there where every action is simplified and feels natural. The soccer and tennis workouts are also very impressive. Overall the game keeps the intensity, so casual exercises do not permeate the overall experience. Conditioning routines are usually shorter and end with recovery periods then training games. Players can also customize their music soundtracks, try add-on content, and achieve trophies.

The basic “Training Plan” mode approach with Men’s Training, Women’s Training, or Getting Started categories where players can customize their goals among strength building, speed training, body tone, and others. The in-game calendars map out each chosen program, which are challenging and exciting. Advanced player can unlock “master classes” for even more training and instruction.

Most exercise simulations are fun and beneficial. For example, the basketball shooting simulation is the best out there where every action is simplified and feels natural. The soccer and tennis workouts are also very impressive. Overall the game keeps the intensity, so casual exercises do not permeate the overall experience. Conditioning routines are usually shorter and end with recovery periods then training games. Players can also customize their music soundtracks, try add-on content, and achieve trophies.

Developed by Lightning Fish (Mel B fitness titles) and published by 505 Games, Adidas miCoach offers great fitness options/learning opportunities and should hold its own on the PlayStation 3 with Wii U consoler owners getting Wii U Fit in the fall and Xbox 360 getting Nike+ Kinect (Xbox 360 with Kinect version of Adidas miCoach is also available).

Review:  Adidas miCoach

Where to Buy: Amazon.com and other stores

Price: $29.99

What I Like:  comfortable exercise experiences (no sensors required), connectivity options with several other devices, trainer interaction/motivation, affordable price, strong graphics, sound cues, high energy presentation, trainer video presentation lets players easily model and correct form, ability to sync game console with web-capable devices

What Needs Improvement: more customization options, cannot complete some exercises without special equipment, challenging set up to achieve ideal environment and camera control response, still have to hold PS Move on some exercises (Kinetic version totally hands free)

Source: Copy provided by publisher

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