Getting back into playing shape. (DDR)

So as I've said before I'm starting to play DDR again mainly to be a little bit healthier and get some exercise after I'm done teaching for the day. Back in the day I use to be able to get AA on most things. (The Extreme era) with exception of songs like Max 300 in which the tempo would get just a little crazy for me.

I'm getting back into playing after taking about ten years off. Mainly due to a busy schedule but since I finally have some time. I went a head and got myself a metal pad and the original PS2 games. (Max, Max 2, Extreme, ITG ect.) and so being as excited as I was I decided to start with Max....I then played a seven footer to warm up....or at least what I used to warm up with. I ran out of breath and just about fell over. Haha I then attempted Healing Vision...and gave up halfway through the song due to a lack of breath support. So obviously I'm out of shape but I can still read the charts.

What is some advice to get my stamina back into shape. What are some good warm up songs from the ps2 era that you guys might recommend. (It's okay to laugh...I was embarrassed too. Haha)

---

I think you first need to check the actual level you can play, if you can't with a seven footer, play a lower difficulty song while you can get back into playing, when I stop playing and resume some months later (like actually) I play some songs until I get my level, then later I start to givin upper difficulty until I feel comfortable, I find nonstops a nice option to get stamina, playing withouth taking a breath will increase your stamina, also ITG is a good option to recover stamina too, the charts are tricky and harder than oficial konami charts. Try playing endless if you can, in my case those tips helped me a lot.

I had surgery in 2008 and lost all my stamina, had to gain it back, just passed SO DEEP last month for the first time in probably ten years. What I did was start on lower-level songs. I played on standard instead of heavy, which was what I was used to doing. Every time I played I'd pick an easy-ish song to warm up (maybe a 4 footer, or 5) and then spend the rest of my time playing other songs just a smidgen above that. If I wasn't confident in my abilities to beat the song without passing out on the floor, I usually didn't play. Then my second to last song would be a really challenging one for me (a 7 maybe) and then I'd finish off with a nice cooldown again.

It might take awhile but at least it's a lot of fun

Along with picking lower difficulties than you are comfortable with, I think picking slower songs (and possibly reduced speed modifiers) also helps. It's best to pick a speed at you can easily stay in rhythm, because you'll save a lot more stamina if you don't find yourself chasing after the arrows. If a 150 BPM song like Freckles is too quick or too awkward to keep up with when warming up, try something in the 140s (like one of the sorrow songs), and see if that's any more comfortable. Eventually, you can try to work your back way up and warm up on songs you used to warm up on.

If you do run out of breath, it's best to just take some time to catch your breath again and pick something lighter as your next song. When you're exhausted, you can maybe drink some water, get cooled down a bit, and then try something challenging again.

By the way, good for you for trying to stay healthy! For days when you just can't seem to play, even small things like taking short walks (especially uphill) and maybe even jogging a portion home from your school will help build your endurance. Good luck! I wish you all the best.

---

Thank you guys so much for the advice! Playing on the lower difficulties definitely helped quite a bit and also brought back the same fun feeling I use to get when playing back in the day. I just have to learn to be patient with myself and not try to rush into the crazy charts. The big thing is according to my wife I'm already starting to look a little more trim but I'm sure there is a little bit of bias in that.

---