DDR-esque exercise alternatives?

November 20, 2005 10:36 PM

I’m settling in for a long winter, and I’m going to miss shooting baskets. I can’t afford gym access. I do have a treadmill and free weights, but they get boring. I’m looking for an exercise I can do inside my apartment that will encourage me to hone a skill or is otherwise (individually) competitive. Aerobics aren’t what I’m looking for. One day, I’d like to try Dance Dance Revolution when I can afford the hardware. So, is there another interesting, cheap indoor activity for my fine motor skills? Actually improving my physical fitness from this is of marginal importance.
posted by glibhamdreck to Health & Fitness (16 answers total)

Yoga: strength, endurance, flexibility- oh yeah, and long term health.

Rock Climbing campus board: costs about $80 initially, and you have to mount it somewhere, but then, there are literally tons of training regimes you can follow with it to grow your arms and reflexes...
posted by maelanchai at 10:56 PM on November 20, 2005

Chances are, you already own most of the hardware to play Dance Dance Revolution (in it's freeware form, Stepmania.

Search Ebay for a dance mat and appropriate adapter for your computer. They're quite cheap.
posted by tomble at 10:59 PM on November 20, 2005

You already said you're not considering it immediately, but if you do eventually want to play significant amounts of Dance Dance Revolution, be aware of your neighbors. All that arhythmic thrashing can get loud!
posted by aubilenon at 11:11 PM on November 20, 2005

Perhaps a martial art of some sort?
posted by PercussivePaul at 11:30 PM on November 20, 2005

I've never played, but I've watched - isn't DDR pretty aerobic? And I don't know that there's much involved in the way of fine motor skills.

Second the martial art, although I don't know of one that's suited to being self-taught.

For the fine motor skills, there are all sorts of crafty activities - sewing, knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, cross-stitch...though not very competitive.
posted by attercoppe at 11:56 PM on November 20, 2005

As far as motor skills go, since I started juggling(15 years or so), my dexterity has increased 10 fold. It's easy / fun to learn, and can be good exercise. The exercise level is based on the type (3,4,5 balls, pins, rings, contact juggling, etc) as well as the rigor you want to approach it with. Possible, caveats include loss of patience, loud thumping noises, and broken wares.
posted by AllesKlar at 12:14 AM on November 21, 2005

Consider getting a dartboard. It's probably the closest thing to shooting baskets you'll do without a ball.
posted by mikewas at 5:07 AM on November 21, 2005

If you're a basketball player, doing a targeted program to significantly increase your vertical leap could be pretty rewarding.
posted by saladin at 5:21 AM on November 21, 2005

Cheap or used set of electronic drums?
posted by ZenMasterThis at 6:36 AM on November 21, 2005

Another one here who says "Juggling, obviously!!!"
This information from the Juggling Information Service is probably out of date, but maybe can get you started:

Winnipeg Juggling Club. Sunday, 10 AM to noon; Thursday, 7-9 PM. September to May, in the Robert A. Steen Community Centre at 970 Palmerston Avenue. June to August (Sunday only), in Assiniboine Park on the west side of the Pavilion. E-mail [e-mail]. Ed Vorst, 204-786-3391, e-mail [e-mail], 1-40 Fawcett Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3G 0Y6; or Myron Pauls, 204-775-1402.
posted by Aknaton at 6:36 AM on November 21, 2005

Join a basketball league at the YMCA. It's cheaper than the gym membership and once you're there...
posted by jmgorman at 7:27 AM on November 21, 2005

The Bosu is AWESOME for exercise, strength, balance, fine motor skills and fun. They are around $100 new, but you can find them on ebay for about $50 $75.
posted by necessitas at 7:46 AM on November 21, 2005

Sorry, that was supposed to be the Bosu.
posted by necessitas at 7:47 AM on November 21, 2005

if health benefits are unimportant and motor skill is a priority, why not learn to play a musical instrument?
posted by andrew cooke at 7:59 AM on November 21, 2005

skip the rope my man.
posted by stevejensen at 10:24 AM on November 21, 2005

Hi There, have you heard of Yamuna Body Rolling? It seems like this could be just the thing for you. It uses small balls and various routines to literally roll through every single muscle group while strengthening an dlengthening the body. You can make it fun, switch it up and feel things you've never felt before
posted by YaelNYC at 11:29 AM on November 22, 2005