If there’s one area that I’ve always wanted to improve upon, it would have to be my health. I’ve recently lost twenty pounds through diet and exercise, but the latter is always a struggle. I don’t know about you, but I find exercise to be very, very boring. I’m the type that needs to be engaged intellectually as my brain rarely ever just switches off. Imagine my surprise when I discovered “Strength Stack 52”, a card game of sorts that promotes fitness. Before we take a look at this current Kickstarter project, I’d like to quickly thank Michael Volkin for reaching out and providing me with a press copy. It’s important to note that because the game is currently seeking funding through Kickstarter (as of 9/17/13), that my copy may or may not be fully representative of the final product.
Strength Stack 52: 1+ Players, Age & Average Play Time Varies
The game comes with fifty-one exercise cards, a wild card, and two quick reference cards. Each exercise card lists the name of the exercise, how many reps to perform, a QR code / URL link to an accompanying video, instructions on how to perform the exercise, and a few other details that outline the difficulty of the card. I was impressed by the quality and sleekness of the card art…everything was easy to read despite there being a lot of information to process.
It’s important to note that an instruction manual didn’t come with my copy, though the official website has tons of different ways you can make use of the deck. “War”, for example, is a two to six players game that is played much like the standard one…though in this case, the losers of a particular round must perform the exercises on the cards they drew. “Life in the Fast Lane” is a bit more chaotic and tasks players with laying down a card valued at one higher or lower than the card shown on the discard pile. The first person to get rid of their hand wins, with the losers having to perform the exercises listed on the cards remaining in their own hands.
The nice thing about this quote unquote “little” card game is the fact that you won’t need any gym equipment to make the most of it. There’s also the benefit of this game being very flexible (even if you’re not). For example, some cards are suited more for beginners. While the cards do list the number of reps that should be performed, those who are out of shape can opt to shave that number down to something a bit more manageable. Games can be adjusted to best suit the individual’s needs, which ups its appeal in my book. I myself am admittedly out of shape, so any fitness program that allows me to bend the rules a bit (within reason) is more than welcome.
Cards can range from “easy” to “crank up the air conditioner”.
Overall, “Strength Stack 52” is an incredibly ingenious idea. While there are a ton of video games that promote fitness (“Wii Fit”, “Just Dance”, etc.), this is the first card game I’ve seen that caters to both board gamers and fitness pros alike. “Strength Stack 52” is the kind of game that can suit a wide range of people, whether they are interested in doing the occasional exercise or something more serious. The small card case makes it convenient to bring with you to work (or what have you), in case you needed some motivation and instruction via “flash cards” for solo play. Even if you’re not someone who exercises regularly, “Strength Stack 52” at least encourages you to get up and MOVE, which is certainly a step in the right direction for personal fitness and well-being. To that end, you owe it to yourself to check this game out.
IMPORTANT: For your safety, please consult a physician before trying out any of the workout routines.
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You can learn more about and support “Strength Stack 52” by visiting the following websites:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1172471035/strength-stack-52-playing-cards-the-game-of-fit
http://www.strengthstack52.com/
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