Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Goji Play Review and Giveaway!

Lately I've been offered some pretty cool things for review, including a couple of workout enhancers.  Since I'm trying to put a little more variety into my exercise routine, I accepted this one for a Goji Play, because I could use it with my stationary bike which, unfortunately, I have not been riding as often as I should.  You use the Goji Play in conjunction with your iPad or iPhone and exercise equipment such as an elliptical, stationary bike, treadmill, or the like, playing games while you workout.  Did it help get me over the stationary bike doldrums?  Read ahead and find out, and enter to win a Goji Play for yourself!

Box opened, everything neatly packed inside...
All the goodies...controllers, sensor, charger for the sensor and batons for attaching the controllers, if you want to use the treadmill.

The set up for the Goji Play was really simple - just pull out the plastic tabs to activate the batteries in the two controllers, attach them to the handles of my stationary bike, charge the receiver for 20 minutes, download the Goji Blue app onto my iPad and boom, I was ready to go.  Except that I realized I then needed to pick a game and download that, too.  OK...I quickly picked a bike one (Spin or Die), since I was on a bike.  Yes, I am that simple minded.  I glanced at the game's tutorial and started riding my bike and playing the game.

Now, here's where I have to admit that I am not proficient in playing video games or using controllers - the last time I used one was when I played with my WiiFit, and that was over five years ago.  I was supposed to push the A button to move right and the X button to move left but I was having a heck of a time keeping my bike rider from crashing.  Something just felt off to me (beside my true lack of skills).  I finally stopped riding and looked at the controllers - yes, they did say "L" and "R" on them, and yes I did look at them as I velcroed them to my handlebars, but no, I did not actually put them on the correct sides.  Once I got that corrected, the game made a lot more sense to me!  I also moved the controllers from the vertical part of the handlebars to the flat part - I covered up the spots where you can take your pulse while riding the bike, but I never used that anyway.  This was much more comfortable for my thumbs to hit the buttons, and I eventually caught onto the game and even completed a round - I was crowned Weekend Warrior, woohoo!

Having to interact with the game is fun.  There are quite a few games to choose from, with different genres - action, a Tetris-like game, and even a slot machine.  The games have different levels, which keep me challenged...remember, though, I'm not a video game expert, so it doesn't take much to challenge me.  So far the games I've returned to over and over have been Smash the Blocks, Fisticuffs, and Try Your Luck: Casino (although I have about as much luck playing those games as I do with real life gambling, and I usually run out of chips quickly...I can earn more by pedaling longer, but I usually switch to another game at that point).  There is also a Reader app, but that one seems a little silly to me, as I could always read when I was riding my stationary bike.

I get so distracted with these games that I don't focus on the time, which is great - so far I haven't had those "OMG, how much LONGER do I have to ride this thing??" thoughts, which used to happen a lot, even when I was watching a show on Netflix.  I've ended up riding longer that the goal time I set up in the Goji Play homescreen, which is huge for me.  Anything that keeps me exercising to the end (and beyond!) of my workout is awesome.
My set up - I usually keep the iPad on the music stand.  And yes, I wear my flip flops most of the time when I ride...you can see the sensor clipped to the strap.

The only issue I had was that the receiver wasn't always being read - the directions said to clip it to the pocket of your shorts.  Well, I wasn't wearing shorts; I was wearing my workout capris, so I clipped it to my waistband.  Apparently that wasn't always enough movement for it to be read, and I got messages saying the game would continue when I started moving (which I was).  I looked through the Goji Play FAQs and they suggested moving the sensor to your shoe if this happened - I did, and never got that message again.  It felt a little more secure than being on my waistband, which I preferred.

The unit comes with two foam tubes that you can put the controllers on, so if you are working out on a machine that is hands-free (like a treadmill), you just hold them like in your hands and play that way.  It is also portable, so if you want to take it to the gym, it's very easy to drop the two controllers and receiver into your bag - and it works off of your smart phone, so you are all set.  This would be nice for traveling, too, if you like to workout at hotel gyms.

The apps are all free.  The Goji Play unit costs $99.  If you are someone who is looking to add something different to your machine workout, this would be a nice thing to have.  I received mine for free.  Would I have bought it?  No, but then, I'm very cheap when it comes to exercise equipment (except for running shoes, then money is no object if they make my feet and legs feel good).  However, having used this, I really like it.  I'm glad I have it - I've ridden the exercise bike a lot more often than I used to, and am having fun, which is saying a lot when it comes to me and exercise.

If you are a U.S. resident and would like the chance to win a Goji Play for yourself, just leave me a comment saying you're in for the giveaway.  I'll announce the winner on Friday - good luck!

Comments are closed as this giveaway has ended.

FTC:  I received a Goji Play unit for free; opinions about the system are all mine.

16 comments:

  1. I would love to try the Goji Play. I currently get so bored on the treadmill and bikes at this gym and this sounds perfect to keep the time moving!

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  2. Thanks for the review, Shelley. This is one cool device! Sadly, I do not have the technical gizmos on which to operate it (iphone 3GS is now an antique), but I do like the concept.

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  3. Love this idea. Right now I take children's finding puzzles (similar to "Finding Waldo" and as I walk on the treadmill I look for the various items. Goji Play sounds like a lot more fun. Count me in for the giveway!

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  4. Sounds intriguing - I'm in for the give away!

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  5. That sounds really cool! Between my son and i, it would get a lot of use. I'm in for the giveaway.

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  6. Wow - this sounds awesome! Count me in!

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  7. Count me in for the giveaway. The Goji Play sounds like lots of fun!

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  8. Shelley, put my name in the hat for the giveaway. I love the fact that it is portable so it can easily travel with you. Many of the marinas we stay in have a little exercise area. This would be perfect to get/keep me moving.

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  9. I loathe riding my stationary bike so maybe this would help. Thanks for the review.

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  10. Would love to win one of those. you probably don't know the name on this, I have been a "stalker" of yours for years. Don't comennent much

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  11. I. too. have trouble motivating myself to ride my indoor bike. I might give it a try. Hope I win!

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  12. So...gonna try this again and see what happens. :) First, I am still shocked each time I see myself in a picture with a group of normal sized people. Second, I love this gadget and want to know more about it! I've been running on the treadmill a little more often and this looks like it would make it soooo much more fun. You'll have to give me the scoop!

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  13. I hate indoor exercise equipment...but consider it a necessary evil in the climate I live in. So I would LOVE this product!

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  14. I want in the giveaway. Thanks for the chance.

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  15. I want in the giveaway. Thanks for the chance.

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  16. Would love to be included in this give away. I've heard some great things about this

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