How Making Fitness Into a Role-Playing Game Makes Us All Look and Feel Great

About four months ago I profiled Fitocracy, the social networking/fitness site that seeks to motivate gamers to hit the gym by incorporating role-playing game aspects into their workout plan. Today, Fitocracy and its founding duo received a huge profile courtesy of CNN, and it's making all gamers look better as a result.

Brian Wang and Dick Talens shared their tales of going from flabby and scrawny teenagers to buff bodybuilders, while still retaining their gamer cred. CNN then found two psychology experts—normally these are the guys who TV turns to when they want to talk about how soul-suckingly addictive video games are. Instead, they identify games' ability to make their players feel competent, and the freedom and autonomy they offer, and then the social component supporting all of it.

CNN found a Fitocracy user who fits the mold of going from schlumpy shut-in to ripped gym rat. Michael Perry (pictured) a dedicated World of Warcraft gamer, said he had no idea what exercise was for the first 26 years of his life. He's become a healthier, fitter person because his regimen mirrors his path to success in the MMO.


It's a nice story that puts gaming and gamers in a good light, and is some well deserved publicity for two gamers, Talens and Wang, who are making a positive contribution to the community.

(Image by Michael Perry via CNN)

Why Gamers Are a Great Fit at the Gym [CNN]
