DDR as a crosstrainer

[outlawwolf]

There's a tae kwon do dojo opening right next to me so I'm thinking of joining. So I was thinking that since tae kwon do majors in kicks, I could use ddr as a way to strengthen my legs and gain endurance. Sure there's jogging but I hate running without a purpose and I don't own a bike anymore. What do you guys think? Have any of you guys used ddr as a crosstrainer for other sports?
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[Reenee]

It's usually the other way around.

[Brick Tamland(LoveRevenG)]

I use DDR to help me get stamina for tennis. I'm pretty serious about it, and I go to tennis tournaments all over the south. When I get to where my tournament is, I go to a machine close to where I'm playing, and get warmed up on it. DDR has helped me a lot.
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[Khasm]

I myself have substituted for running and jogging with DDR, and its worked out great. IMO, jogging gets sort of..boring. The game-aspects of DDR, ITG and things of the like keep you there, and lets face it- if youre having fun while doing something tiring and/or physicly demanding, youre bound to keep going on longer than if it was boring.

I have thought about starting to run again in the mornings so I can build up for DDR though. =b

I can also say, my legs have built up alot more rapidly from DDR than from my running. With running I saw something of a curve in my leg, suggesting the slight possibility of some actual muscle. After DDR however, Im beggining to see extreme definition and improvement. Stamina has increased at least tenfold. I swear, Max 300 wouldve killed me if I woulda tried it on my first day.

[DjSolstice98]

DDR will definitely build up your endurance more than running alone, mostly because the steps are more geared towards circuit style exercise, which burns fat and builds muscle faster.

Sidebar: Ask your Sensei when you join about other conditioning exercises you can do as well.

[djzmudpony]

My fiance and I DDR for an hour, five times a week as our cardio exercise, before weight training. Prior to this, we used to run on a treadmill or use an elliptical to get our cardio in. Believe me when I say that it's much more fun that running, plus it keeps you focused.
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[Paranoia_Brother]

It's kinda been both ways for me in help. At first i did track and did long distance. I was good at it, but needed more stamina. Well, when i started playing DDR i was already full of stamina (for the games) because of track. Now, after playing DDR my stamina is MUCH more better and i notice a HUGE difference in my stamina when running 5ks and 10ks.
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[phonzmanh20]

Things like DDR and running help tone your leg muscles. They would help your legs be flexible, burn fat, and looke in shape, but not neccessarily build muscle.

If you wanted to build your leg muscles, you'll have to lift weights a certain way. If you got a fitness contraption with a bar and weights, you can do leg curls, reverse leg curls, and with the bar you can do toe raises. I'd recommend doing all, especially the toe raises because that helps build the muscles behind your shin which equals faster foot movement. Leg curls and reverse leg curls help build your calve muscles so you can generally move your whole leg quicker.

If you don't know what toe raises are, its simply lifting a bar with weights behind your head and rest it on your shoulders. Then you would raise your whole body and weights by doing a tiptoe with both feet.

But yeah, thats the difference between toning and building muscle.

[Threadstopper!]

I am a serious cyclist, which has helped me with strength and stamina for DDR. DDR in turn built speed and agility for basketball.