Our guest on today's podcast episode is Dick Talens from Fitocracy.com, a social network that whips nerds into shape using role-playing mechanics and social-gaming achievements.
A self-described "ex-fat kid," Dick tells us about his high-school RPG career that developed an unhealthy lifestyle and dietary habits, and the light bulb moment when he realized he could combine his love for video games with the success of online social networks to get into shape.
Instead of typical workout routines you get from personal trainers and fitness magazines, Fitocracy takes cues from games like World of Warcraft and Chrono Trigger to present "quests" that must be completed to earn achievement points and "boosts."
After each workout, Fitocracy makes it easy to check in online, update your progress, and even send "props" to your fellow Fitocrats--the whole process is really motivating and takes the chest puffing out of your daily gym experience.
Check out today's episode to see Dick's incredible before and after photos, which should be enough to get you out of your computer chair for at least a few sit-ups. Also, the site is in private beta right now, but Dick is extending a generous invite to 404 listeners--just head to Fitocracy.com and enter in "The404" as a promo code and you'll be able to sign up ahead of everyone else.
Enjoy the service, and let us know what you think, and don't forget to send us your before and after photos!
The 404 Digest for Episode 908
- Head over to Fitocracy and enter "The 404" into the promo code section to try it out!
- Fitocracy brings games and social to your workouts.
- Follow Fitocracy on Twitter.
- My workout partner is a role-playing game.
- Xkcd comic about Fitocracy.
- Most popular fitness tracking Web site: Fitocracy.
- Twitter break video of the day: HEYYEYAAEYAAAEYAEYAA (AND HE PRAYS)
Episode 908
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