Hi everyone, I just wanted to add my two cents in here about the pads. I bought the MadCatz pads and I haven't had any problems with them at all... however, it's for the PS2, not sure if there is a difference between the PS2 and Xbox version of pads, but I've not had one problem with them... oh other than the pads seem to "travel" when I'm dancing on it I'll start out far away from the tv then end up so close to it heheheh... Oh I got these pads in Sept 2004.

Sue...

I got the kids DDR Extreme for PS2 for Christmas. I never tried it until this past weekend. I have a real addiction to games and try to stay away from them because when I get started, I can't quit. Guess what...... My daughter talked me into trying it because I was tired of doing the same old walking...3 hours later... I had to make myself stop because I could barely lift my legs up. It was awesome! I think I like it so much because it is a challenge/ goal to meet or beat. I am really competitive with myself and nothing less than an A is good enough for me. We have had a mad catz pad with ours, only one right now but I am going for the second one this weekend. It seems to hold up well. I have 3 kids plus about 5 teens from the neighborhood using for at least an hour a day and longer on the weekends and it hasn't worn yet at all. I am glad I went for the cheapie, sounds like it was a good choice.

Hi Sandi!!

I too am the same way.. I bought it for my step daughters birthday in September 04. It's definately addicting! I have DDR Max 2... definately fun! Congrats on trying it!

Sue...

Thanks for the support. I played again last night. I amazed at how much fun it is right now. I may not feel the same in a few months from now but it's definitely the kick start that I needed to get back to working out daily again. Walking was depressing me because there is only so much to do and with the cold weather I completely lost motivation. My boss/friend got me "Walk Away the Pounds" and I did enjoy that but only about a couple times for each session and then I got bored. But every little bit helps. Or so I keep telling myself.

I LOVE DDR!! I've lost 15 lbs. in the last six weeks and I credit DDR for helping me lose it, along with the Weight Watchers plan. At our WW meeting last week someone brought up the subject of DDR because they had seen a segment on it on the news. There were several others in the class that do it and love it too. It never gets boring!

I haven't lost any weight in the past week, I am going to attribute that to muscle gain. It will help me justify it because I felt like I sweat at least 3 pounds away, but whatever. I can handle it. It's been a little frustrating because I have been at 205 since Christmas. Luckily, I never gained any over the holidays but I haven't gone down either. I have taken my measurements and it appears that I have lost an inch on the thigh since then and about a half inch around the hips. Better than nothing, it just seems to so hard this time around. Giving up soda has really made a difference. I just drink water and coffee for the most part. I just wish that I could at least get below 200, it is a mental thing for me.

hi ddr fans!!! i got to try my ddr again last nite. to make a long story short i bought it, tried it once, and then had to go away on family business. anyways, boy did i get frustrated. first i couldn't get the workout mode to work...i would only get to the setting screen, then i couldn't get it to start once i put my stats in. any help would be appreciated!!! so i proceeded to game mode and i just couldn't get the hang of it, even in the beginner stage. it was quite the site!

sue - do you think ddrmax would be easier than extreme???

have a good friday!!
kathy

kathy - The nice thing about having them both is that you have a variety of music. I prefer using DDRMax because of the set up it has for the exercise mode. You can set a certain amount of calories burnt (which is not all that accurate but is nice) or even set a time limit. This way you can just keep going, instead of doing a set of three dances, then stopping to reset the program and start over again with another 3 sets. I can do several songs in a row with DDR Max. That's the only thing I find that i like about the game, other than that they are both good games. Nice to have a variety of songs when you are dancing to the same songs over and over again hehehe...

Sue...

OK, I have a DDR injury. This just sucks! I was having so much fun with it and BAM! I am not sure what is wrong exactly . It is like the 5th metatarsal is strained or something and I cannot get a shoe on it or walk on it. The doctor doesn't seemed to be concerned with it at all, told me to stay off it and not do DDR for at least two weeks. I was getting to where I could do some of the dances on the standard level and now I will have to start all over again. I'm bumming. But I guess bouncing all this weight around can do that to a foot.

Oooh, that stinks! I was looking into some type of acceptable shoes (like jazz shoes) but I got sidetracked and forgot about it. Here is a link to some shoes that might be ok for ddr pads. It will most likely still wear the pads prematurely, but I wouldn't think too much faster than normal:

http://www.discountdance.com/frame_s...e_SHOE_p1.html

They also have some regular dance sneakers that might work. I've never been a dancer, so I don't have a clue what to look for!
http://www.discountdance.com/frame_s...e_SHOE_p1.html

Thank you so much for the suggestion, I hadn't thought of that. It would definitely offer arch support, I have a very high arch and that caused the strain on the outer foot. I will look in to them for sure. I am counting down. only 7 days.

I have DDR Extreme and it is fun but not a good workout for me. My son and boyfriend are both excellent with it but I get no workout with it and have been stuck on beginner since Christmas when we got it. I suppose I prefer a workout on video with an instructor showing you the moves and telling you you're doing a great job. Right now I am doing my morning workouts with Denise Austin. She is very positive and uplifting. I love it when she throws kickboxing in her workouts and I actually feel great after 7:30 a.m. I still do DDR but just for fun and I love the music, it is just not my preffered workout.

djbabylove - i am having the same problem. i guess i'm not coordinated enough. i waited so long to get that game and now i can't even do it. i've tried and tried but i just can't get the hang of it. i guess i'll stick to my leslie sansone tapes for working out and ddr for fun too.
kathy

Have you tried Yourself Fitness? It is also a PS2 game (and PC and maybe XBox) that has an animated instructor, and you follow along with her in over 500 different exercises. I have it, but haven't tested it out yet. Right now I am doing Project: YOU and between that, 3FC, life, and a book, I won't have it penciled in until late May.

It says no two workouts are the same, and it will also customize your meal plan and give you 4500 recipes. Sounds pretty cool!

By the way, don't give up on the DDR. You'll get it!