Dance Dance Revolution grabs BU

As other Boston schools and venues succumb to the Dance Dance Revolution craze by installing new machines at movie theaters, arcades and college social spots, the Boston University's DDR club members hopes BU will follow suit.

While the days of Richard Simmons' "Sweating to the Oldies" and Jazzercise have passed, the fast-paced arcade game updates the practice of dance fitness by making its players sweat as they pound their feet to instructions onscreen.

Since its release in late 90s, the game has acquired a small but enthusiastic following of about 15 club members that meet on a regular basis to play the game.

BUDDR Treasurer Julie Gendrano said she has seen unexpected benefits in her physical stamina since beginning DDR.

"I've noticed that my cardiovascular endurance has increased enormously and I've been able to successfully ward off the 'Freshman 15,'" the College of Arts and Sciences freshman said. "I definitely wasn't planning it, but the combination of walking to the arcade or to CAS - where the DDR club meets weekly - and actually playing DDR really helped out a lot."

The game combines music, technology and dance, in which people stand on a touch-sensitive mat and follow instructions given to them on a computer screen to the beat of pop music.

BUDDR President Nils Brasz, a CAS sophomore, said although he has not noticed any weight loss, his endurance has increased.

"It has helped me keep my endurance and stamina high in times when I can't go out and run and keep in shape," he said. "It's not something I started DDR for, but it's a side effect."

In 2002, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology remodeled their Campus Activities Center with technological updates, including a DDR machine.

CJ Azubuine, MIT's Campus Activities Events Planning Assistant, said he was unsure whether students use the two games set up at the main entrance to the Stratton Student Center as more of a recreational activity or a fitness program.

"There's always someone on [the machines], whether it's seven in the morning or midnight," he said. "We haven't really done any study, but given from what I see, I'm assuming that people are losing weight. They're going at it pretty hard."

Gendrano described herself as a regular at the MIT game room since she travels to the campus weekly.

"The revenue generated by that machine is enormous, and a well-maintained machine could attract some of the best players in New England, many of which live in the metro Boston area," she said, adding she spends about $10 there each week.

Though places like MIT, Northeastern University, Jillians and the AMC theaters have DDR machines, both Gendrano and Bransz said a DDR machine would be a nice addition to BU Central for student entertainment and university fundraising.

"DDR is a lot more healthy and fun than playing pool and watching TV," Gendrano said. "The school could generate a lot of revenue from DDR through tournaments and charging a meager price per set like 50 cents or so. A well-kept machine could pay for itself very quickly."

Bransz said the installment of a DDR machine on campus would not only provide a convenient venue for the club, but also help recruitment.

"I definitely think BU should get some sort of DDR machine setup as it would ease trips for our group and help generate interest in this great activity," he said. "People will make great friends and keep themselves fit. I can't see any negative aspects of DDR and would love to see a GSU with DDR so everyone who was ever curious could give it a try."