Does anyone use weights?

[Kcon]

Im still rather new to DDR and I have a few questions.

Do any of you more experianced players use weights to help build stamina and speed? I kinda thought this seemed like a good idea but I'm wondering if I could stymie my improvement by doing it. Besides the fact thats it way too Rock Lee.. heh.

Im trying to loose weight but I want to at least be able to get to 7 or 8 step songs but my speed, stamina and balance just arent there for that. I dont really need or want to get any higher, just good enough to unlock songs on Extreme 2 and play some of my favorites on stepmania that are only 7's and 8's.

Any advice for someone new to get to those harder levels, Ive got 4's down but as soon as I look at a 5 I fall apart. Ive been practicing but I just cant seem to find whats needed to get over this bump.

Thanks in advance.

[Akkaraju]

I never used them for the entire time I've been playing DDR. I just think that if you were to do that, and then at one point take them off and try to play, you would end up using too much force to hit the panels.

I've heard of a couple people here who have tried it, but I would reccomend just plain playing and practicing more than that

[ΩOMEGAΩ]

I used to do it, but its juat a pain in the ass to move you feet back and fourth, because the weights will throw off your balance. Sure it helps to get more stmina, and move your feet faster, but you can do that legit without them, you just have to keep playing.

[Victamone]

Back in the day their was a couple kids in my local arcade who thought it would make them really fast.. but it didnt do anything but screw their timings up.

[Kcon]

Im just getting a little frustrated.

Im getting a little sick of the same 20-30 songs, because I cant unlock anything harder than the early c's.

I dont mind that Im only doing 4's but Id like a few more songs to play to.

[SulferDragon]

Really the only thing you can do is play more. Don't be afraid to push yourself, do it as much as you can.

Also you should try going to the gym, start working out. Mainly your legs of course. Jogging can be very good. You should try to jog twenty, or thirty minutes a day.

As for the balance problem, How do you step? tippy toed, flat footed, pounding? Try stepping in different ways.

If you want to lose wait from playing DDR. Wear a bunch of clothes when you play. That way you sweat a ton. I knew this one guy who after playing for like two months lost like fifty pounds. He always wore a sweater.

Play every day.

[Inazuma]

I used weights as an experiment once... It did feel more light-footed, but I was stepping much higher than usual. Which in most cases, would be a bad thing, especially for the harder songs.

So stamina wise, it's good, but really poor for balance. But that's just my opinion.

But as SulfurDragon said, you just have to practice!

[Deluxe]

Nope. Never tried it. I thought about it once.

[BanYa4eVr]

5lb ankle weights.

I don't use them that often, I did a while back to build up speed.
Because after an hour of playing while wearing them, you take em off
and you can fly (on the pad)xD

It also feels kinda funky when you're wearing em.
But an interesting kind of funky.

[Kcon]

I find it ironic or funny that an hour after complaining about it, I did my first 5 at a friends house....

Sorry bout venting

The variety problem will clear itself up soon enough as soon as I get my ps2 - usb adapter. Then I can use stepmania, I got it all installed and ready to go. Mail.. slow....

[SulferDragon]

WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!

I'm praying you looked into that adapter before you bought it. Some really won't work for pads at all.

And believe me, I would know. :P

[Kcon]

I got the recomended one from the stepmania page, EMS USB2

The one that automaps buttons on 3.9

I also found lots of cute bouncy anime songs to work out to... Now if I can just wrap my head around making courses.

[JasonMath]

I'm no expert at DDR (heck, I haven't even passed any of the MAX's on heavy). However, I do have a good amount of experience, and I have recognized some good tips:

1) Get a water bottle (or some other container that holds water) and fill it up with cold water before you start playing. 16 ounces (or .5 liters) is fine, but the bigger, the better. Sometimes, I drink a quart of water (32 ounces) while playing StepMania (on pad). (for between songs)

2) Treat DDR as a workout. Basically, that means don't quit after just playing 3 standard-length songs (that's only 5 minutes). If your DDR game has "Event Mode" (I know StepMania does), USE IT. Play for at least 30 minutes at a time (60 minutes is even better), taking drinks of water between songs.

3) Always warm up with a few songs. I can pass (and full combo) many 9-footers out there, but my first song is always a 6-footer. Then, I play 1-2 7-footers, an easy 8-footer, a few more (about 2-4) 8-foot songs, and finally do some 9-footers. For you, this would probably mean starting with 2-3 3-foot songs, and them going on to 3-5 4 foot songs. Once you are fully warmed up and playing at your peak level (for you, 4-5 foot songs), then you can start pushing it. There are a few 5 foot and 6 foot songs on DDR that are on heavy mode (and plenty more on standard) that you can try.

4) If you feel stomach pains (especially from pushing yourself through a high-level song), lay down for a minute or two on a soft surface (e.g. a bed or a couch). If the pain goes away after that, continue playing.

5) (Only For StepMania/Dance With Intensity) If you can get a pad hooked up to your computer, long version & marathon length songs are great for building up stamina.

I hope these tips help! (and no, I've never used weights)

[ultralowincome]

i life weights and do pushups when i workout. i play DDR when i wanna have fun and do a cardio workout. some things, like oil and water, you just shouldn't mix...

[Meta77]

hmm nah dont use them. ive only been playing for about 9 months now and i can do most songs on pump it up with one foot.....oh for ddr nah i lost weigh without weights. 14 pounds.