RewiredMind Fitness Gaming Challenge

Exeter, UK – April 22nd, 2009 – Ken Barnes, Editor of UK gaming blog RewiredMind.com is attempting to help to dispel the myth that gaming is an unhealthy pastime, whilst raising money for The Prostate Cancer Charity.

The challenge is to use the current wave of fitness-based videogame software -including the bestselling Wii Fit – combined with a healthy diet, to lose just over a quarter of his bodyweight (67lbs, or almost 5 stones) by the 25th October, 2009. Only videogames can be used, with trips to the gym, road running, swimming and conventional weight training being ruled out.

“We had the idea for this challenge a while ago, but decided to go ahead with it after Maya – the digital fitness trainer from Ubisoft’s My Fitness Coach – put me through my paces during a review of the game last month” said Ken. “Quite frankly, I thought she was trying to kill me! So, as well as getting in shape for the next big fitness game review, I’m trying to prove that the current fashion for fitness-based games is more than just a passing trend that will be forgotten in a few years time. These games can help people to get in shape, and then stay in shape once they’ve reached their goals – and we want to show anyone who still has their doubts, that this is the case.”

“In addition, the challenge will raise money for my charity of choice, and we want people to show their support and donate whatever they can – even if it’s just the spare change from their PayPal accounts – so that we can help The Prostate Cancer Charity to continue its important work.”

The challenge will raise money for The Prostate Cancer Charity (Registered Charity: 1005541), which carries out research into prostate cancer, provides support for those affected by the disease, and also runs the UK’s only dedicated prostate cancer helpline, staffed by specialist nurses.

Full details of the challenge are available from: - http://www.rewiredmind.com/rewiredmindfitnesschallenge and frequent posts will be made to give opinions on the software used, provide updates on Ken’s progress and hand out tips to gamers about the best ways to use the software and hardware that we’ll be using as part of the challenge.

How To Help

You can make a donation directly to The Prostate Cancer Charity via our JustGiving page at http://www.justgiving.com/rewiredmindfitnesschallenge/

Alternatively, website owners can let their users track the challenger’s Rocky-montage-like progress by embedding our WidgetBox widget on your site, MySpace page or blog. You can grab the widget by visiting http://www.rewiredmind.com and hitting the “Get Widget” button.

We will also entertain offers of corporate sponsorship for the series – which will guarantee coverage of your brand, product or multiple products across the 6-month posting series at RewiredMind.com. Please contact us via email ( kenbarnes@rewiredmind.com) for more information.

---

About RewiredMind.com

RewiredMind.com was launched in November 2001 and is designed for gamers who like their reviews, opinions and other gaming staples to come without the usual side salad of ego and dishonesty. RewiredMind.com is the place to be for the discerning gamer, because real life sucks.

Contact: Ken Barnes, Editor - kenbarnes@rewiredmind.com

About The Prostate Cancer Charity

Prostate cancer is the biggest killer amongst men in Britain, and every hour in the UK, one man will succumb to the disease. Over 35,000 new cases will be diagnosed this year and donations will help The Prostate Cancer Charity to continue their important work in this area and to continue to provide the only UK-wide cancer helpline staffed by specialist nurses.

Find out more at: http://www.prostate-cancer.org.uk/