Yourself!Fitness Critic Reviews

This is an excellent, extremely versatile tool for those wanting to exercise at home for whatever reason (children, budget, weather…) and might be a fun holiday gift (or self-gift) for an exercise video/DVD nut.

Not only do you get to workout in the privacy of your own home; this virtual gym offers a lifetime membership, a one-on-one personal trainer, thousands of food recipes and is open 24 hours a day, every single day of the year, whenever it's convenient for you.

Everything that you need to get your flabby butt in shape is included in Yourself!Fitness, except for the equipment, which isn't a requirement.

Despite some minor flaws, Yourself! Fitness is a fantastic first effort from publisher Respondesign. Available for a meager $35, it's a cheap way to keep your New Year's weight loss resolutions. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in staying fit.

However you peg it, those of you looking for an alternative to an expensive gym membership or a series of pricey videos will find something special here. Maya is an excellent mentor who gives more attention than a video can -- she asks questions and will help you with specific exercises, and that's more than some gyms will even offer.

When has exercising ever been fun? With that being said the developers did an amazing job of making an experience that was different and enjoyable.

Yourself!Fitness is definitely treading uncharted territory as a fitness game that primarily targets a female audience. responDesign's goal is to develop "Games that are good for you" and they've succeeded here. Those gamers yearning for something different and who are not afraid of breaking a sweat should grab Yourself!Fitness and get physical.

If you're tired of watching the same aerobic videos over and over, or need some motivation to get in shape, give Yourself!Fitness a try and actually use your console (or PC) as a path to a healthier lifestyle.

Though a little cheesy, it's a good way to create a customized home workout with menu suggestions and progress chart.

It's definitely a better workout than most Xbox titles, and although its longevity is infinitely better than a human workout video, it's not as motivating or, more important, as sexy.

It's a shame that the disc, which offers 4,500 recipes and meal plans also printable at the program's Web site, is so inflexible about allowing other workouts into its tracking system, and that what should be the central focus, the workouts themselves, is so lackluster.