How could World of Warcraft help me to get in shape? The answer is a simple combination of the psychology behind the games and the opening of a YMCA just two miles from my apartment.
World of Warcraft is an MMO and centered largely on social interaction, but part of what makes it so addictive is its system of perceived rewards. I read somewhere once that the human mind prefers efficient numbers by its nature. So if given an achievable reward in a visible numerical form, we will naturally find satisfaction in even incremental improvement. I don’t know if that’s true, but the masses of gamers addicted to games using this principle would lend it some measure of credibility.
So when I decided last January to get serious about physical fitness, I found familiar mechanics in the computerized Fitlinxx system at the Y. Once registered in the system, the software keeps track of how long you run, how much weight you lift, and your target levels via touchscreen terminals at each exercise machine. You earn FitPoints for every pound lifted and every minute of cardio, and even get a bonus when you increase your targets. Over time, you even level up and gain rewards (waterbottles, t-shirts, etc.)! Toss in a convenient website from which to track your progress from home and enter exercising you do away from the gym (earning FitPoints for everything), and you have essentially the same kind of motivator that keeps people grinding mobs in a virtual world.
Of course, given enough time and the real reward begins to take hold — you are stronger, more fit, and (at least in my case) feel more self-confident.
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