Couch potato gamers are being urged to use a new bespoke fitness routine so they can get in shape to enjoy their sedentary hobby and improve their performance.
The workout which lasts 15 to 20 minutes features a range of simple exercises to improve general stamina as well as strength and flexibility in the wrists, neck and back.
The so-called Gaming Intensity Fitness Workout, known as a G.I.F.T. has been launched by broadband provider EE and British gaming culture brand EXCEL ESPORTS.
Gamers can follow the exercises on a YouTube video presented by UK fitness expert OBi Vincent and EXCEL ESPORTS’ Performance Manager, Ewen Bufton.
It features OBi and gaming influencer and twitch streamer, Sunpi, demonstrating simple moves like finger flexing, and neck, shoulder and wrist rotations.
The 13 exercises designed for all fitness and gaming levels also include air squats and moves to improve grip so gamers can better handle their controllers.
EE is claiming that its EE Full Fibre G.I.F.T. workout offers gamers ‘the ability to help develop their own personal gaming power and stamina with a workout experience just for them’.
Its launch follows an EE survey which found that British gamers spend an average seven hours each week gaming, with almost two thirds (63%) experiencing fatigue during sessions.
The survey of 1,000 gamers found that their average time playing without a break was three hours.
It also revealed that they ranked physical fitness as the least important factor in helping their overall performance, behind gaming equipment, a reliable broadband connection, and screen size.
But the survey found that 39% agree that ‘every second counts in gaming’, suggesting that improvements in mental and physical fitness could give them an edge.
More than a quarter (26%) wanted to boost their gaming stamina and four in ten wanted to improve decision-making skills or make faster decisions during gaming sessions.
EE said it wanted to demonstrate to gamers that ‘building even simple exercises’ into their routine can help them ‘reach their true potential’ by boosting decision making, improving concentration levels, and avoiding injuries.
OBi Vincent said: ‘Gamers don’t often realise how much of an impact physical fitness can have on their performance. By completing this simple workout, and ensuring you have seamless gameplay through EE’s Full Fibre broadband, you’ll be putting yourself in a great position to improve your gaming performance.’
Ewen Bufton added: ‘Physical fitness can actually make all the difference in a split second of a game, and this is something I work on with all my professional esports teams.
‘As well as reducing the risk of injury and stress levels, it can help improve concentration levels, something that’s imperative for gamers. It’s been great to work with EE Full Fibre and OBi to create a workout that’s accessible and beneficial to all gamers and all fitness levels.’
Ewen also stressed that mental wellness was a crucial asset to any gamer looking to perform at the highest level after EE’s research revealed that over half experienced feelings of stress whilst playing.
He said gamers should stay mentally sharp, by taking regular breaks of at least five minutes every hour, possibly using their time out to stretch to help cut down on distracting aches and pains.
Other tips include practicing meditation and deep breathing before a competitive game to relax a gamer’s body and mind, and remain calm and focused.
Gamers are also urged to eliminate distractions and stay hydrated by drinking at least 200ml of water every hour for eight hours of the day to ‘help boost metabolism’.
They can also increase alertness by being exposed to natural daylight.
A recommended exposure of ten minutes of daylight within the first hour of waking is said to greatly increases alertness and help ‘maintain a good circadian rhythm’.
Another ten to 30 minutes of exposure to sunlight at midday helps people absorb vital Vitamin D, and ‘maintain healthy neuromuscular and immune function’.
Matthew Hughes, Director of Broadband at EE, adds: ‘We’re always looking to introduce innovative ways of helping our customers reach their full potential.
‘Whether that’s directly through our products, with EE Full Fibre providing the best online gaming experience, to collaborating with experts like Obi and Ewen to create something completely different, with our new gaming fitness workout, created to help gamers of any level perform at their best.’