Techniques to recondition your body for DDR?

dieorbuy · Basic Member Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Location: Charleston, SC

Just to start off, i've been playing DDR for about 7 months (not counting the times my pads break), and my recent pad failure threw me way off balance. I couldn't get a foam or hardpad, because they were too expensive for me, so i waited... and waited... and waited...

Finally, about 3 months later, i saw something on how to mod a softpad. Now, by then, i had gotten rid of any type of exercise, excluding a single moshpit and throwing some heavy objects at people, and walking. The minute after i modded my pad, i turned on DDR and went for it. Now, i knew i'd be out of shape, but i didn't know i was so out of tune! When i was in my prime, i warmed up on DoLL, and now i found out that i had failed speed over beethoven on expert!

Also, this isn't a weight problem, i'm 15 at 116 lbs... endurance is my issue.

So, i come to the only place that i know that has been tried and true for all problems DDR. I need a fast way to recondition my body back to its endurance! I'm sure my speed will return quickly, though.
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Suko · Trick Member Joined: 13 Jun 2003 Location: Lynnwood, WA

You will undoubtly hear this repeated by many people, but the best way to get in shape and to get better is to play for a couple hours every day. If endurance and stamina are your goals, then just continuously play songs that are right at your maximum ability. If you get too tired to beat those songs, then play songs that're slightly easier. Just keep pushing yourself and your body will start to handle this kind of excercise better.

That being said, I should add that warming up before any extended DDR sessions is crucial. Warming up can be any number of things: from jogging or riding a bike to simply starting off your DDR session with a set of songs that you would consider "easy". A good rule of thumb is to do a song which is 3 or 4 steps lower than your maximum capability. So, if the most you can do are 9 step songs, you should warm up with a set of songs in the 5-7 range.

This is all just my 2 cents.
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Haoie · Trick Member Joined: 02 Mar 2007 Location: New Zealand

Plus eating right, general exercise, and so on.

Wait, this is about giving weight loss advice, right?
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Russo` · Trick Member Joined: 21 Oct 2007 Location: Chicago!

If that's what the guy is asking also, then yeah.
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DAVE101 · Trick Member Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Location: Indiana

shurf · Trick Member Joined: 18 Feb 2006 Location: NJ

Yeah, like Suko said, play songs 2 feet under the maximum you can do. Endurance running (from what I've read) is a great way to gain stamina. But I'm sure playing almost any physical sport consistently will help as well.

Xanthros · Trick Member Joined: 12 Aug 2006

Doing exercise other than DDR doesnt really help your DDR stamina a lot. Maybe try a sprinting regimen, that seems like the best idea since DDR is more like sprinting (short, 2min and under bursts of energy).

I think endurance running doesn't help much, based on my experience. Back when I ran cross-country and track, I was in great shape (ran the mile in 5 mins), and I couldn't pass 9s without getting tired as hell. My friend who was in terrible shape could pass Max 300 (neither of us barred). I have since stopped XC for a couple years but played tons of DDR/ITG and I can no bar 12s now.

Just play more DDR! It's fun anyway!

Da-Risin-Smoke · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 2:40 pm Post subject:

Crosstrain my friend.

A person can't get healthy/better just by one type of exercise.

Lift some weights (yes i've said this many times) eat health(ier).
I know as teens and nerds this is hard but it won't kill us to eat some healthy foods.
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Z.ack · Trick Member Joined: 17 Jan 2006 Location: Michigan

If you drink alot of pop, trying giving it up for a few months. It'll really help your general fitness level.
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Ashes2Ashes · Trick Member Joined: 31 May 2006 Location: UWM

Moonbeam Funk · Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 6:58 pm Post subject:

If you want to work on endurance outside of playing DDR, run, swim, or bike. Honestly. Your heart health will improve dramatically. Running is my favorite because it is accessible. You can start with a short run and build it up to a few miles eventually. My resting heart rate is like, 54 because of that shit, which is supposed to be pretty low for a chick. And I think most endurance is really in your heart. So I'd say it's effective.

Also, ITG. Going from more difficult ITG songs makes harder DDR songs a little easier. ITG is REALLY great for dancing game endurance, especially since, unlike running, biking, or swimming, it actually is a dancing game. Only it has more room for endurance training.

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yukihime · Trick Member Joined: 12 May 2008 Location: Philly, PA

Suko · Trick Member Joined: 13 Jun 2003 Location: Lynnwood, WA

You sir, are an inspiration for how well fit I hope I can be when I'm in my 50s.
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mizu · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:39 pm Post subject:

well, I'd advise just play more and play often and eventually you'll get in better shape for ddr, and as for running and cross training my outlook on that is that if you run and cross train you'll be in shape for running and/or cross training, not so much ddr. Maybe not tho

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Soul of Ignorance · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 8:13 am Post subject:

Richlove · Trick Member Joined: 01 Aug 2002 Location: Wilmington, NC

As a newly minted physician and 7 year DDR player, I offer the following advice:

Start easy back into DDR, like with some 4 or 5 foot standard songs. Go for endurance, like 20 minutes at a time.

Drink lots of Water to keep yourself hydrated. Sodas actually dehydrate you over time so water is always the best choice. Heck if you drink regular sodas all the time, you'll lose a good bit of weight just by switching to water.

If you are looking for any other activities to help, moderate cardiovascular exercise like jogging, using an elliptical trainer or brisk walking will help get your endurance up over time.

Overall, don't give up. Any activity is better than no activity. Do something physical everyday!
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Xanthros · Trick Member Joined: 12 Aug 2006

Maybe you guys are thinking of a different "endurance running", but Welcome To Rainbow is not endurance (in the running sense). In running terms, it's barely mid-distance. Endurance running is like 3+ miles, so we're looking at 15 minutes and up at least. No ITG song is like that.

I understand that it will get you in shape, and that will get you better at DDR. My statement should have been directed at endurance running only, since I don't have experience with biking or full body sports or weight training. Running will help, but not nearly as much as just playing DDR. Also, it could be different for other people, but from my personal experience, which deals with those exact things, improving your technique and DDR-related muscles through playing is more efficient than through running (especially endurance).

Then again, running is free, fun, and chances are you'll like being in shape a lot anyway. It's a good personal feeling.

I just wanted to point out that DDR itself is probably going to be a much more fruitful exercise than running for someone who can't already pass 10s and 11s (and even 12s) easily.

Moonbeam Funk · Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 7:25 am Post subject:

Actually when I started distance running I found DDR/ITG easier, and when I started DDR I cut 2 whole minutes off of my 5K... They use a lot of different leg muscles, but I think the real reason is cardiovascular strength. Now when I finish an ITG 11 my heart isn't beating out of its chest.

Also water's definitely a good point. I always bring a water bottle to the arcade, and I feel like a total nerd doing it, but it helps performance so much. I look totally dorky in basketball shorts and a tank drinking a water bottle and recording my scores but I don't really care 'cause it helps me out. :3. I know it sounds dumb, but when you're done playing for a long time, make sure you eat. I think it's something like if you don't eat within an hour of exercising it takes a lot longer for your body to recover, and the next time you play it'll be more difficult.
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Nathan. · Trick Member Joined: 10 Jun 2008 Location: RI

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pleasedon'thurtme · Trick Member Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Location: Earth

I have heard pop weakens bones, so I don't drink it at all anymore. Hm, reading these posts has allowed me to realize a question: is there a difference between cardiovascular endurance and muscle endurance? I suppose the former allows long-distance running while the latter would be what we need for Dance Dance Revolution -- I guess my legs growing tired is more of an issue than losing my breath during songs. Edit: then again, maybe not

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