Have you ever tried to get your kids to workout with you and they just don’t want to?
Your prayers have been answered. I’ve figure out a way to keep your kids in motion while you get a great workout too!
I spent the day with my two nephews and their friends. I got a kick out of how they kept moving around in spastic, silly dances. At first, I thought my nephews just liked to dance and they had good moves they wanted to show off. Little did I know this is a common trend of many boys, thanks to the video game; FORTNITE: Battle Royale. They got so into their moves and showcased their special weapons in an attempt to educate me on what it’s all about.
If you’re a parent with children between the ages of 8 and 18, chances are you’ve heard of the multiplayer online shooter game called FORTNITE: Battle Royale. However, if you don’t have kids, like me, this may be a new concept to you too. So, I will make sure I educate you on the current trends and never have you look like a ‘Nub’ when in motion … (A ‘Nub’ is a term for a total newbie with zero experience.)
WHAT IS FORTNITE
Basically, you kill people then you break out in a dance. That’s what I thought when I first observed the game- but it’s more than this and actually isn’t anything sick or gory.
In a nut shell, FORTNITE is an online video game developed by Epic Games. It’s a massive online brawl where 100 players leap out of a flying bus onto a small island and then fight each other until only one player is left standing.
There are weapons and special items including rifles, traps, and grenade launders hidden around the island where players must arm themselves while exploring the landscape and buildings. Players collect these resources, or ‘loot’, to build structures to hide in or defend themselves around the land. As the match progresses, the playable area of land continually shrinks to force participants closer together with less spots to hide. The goal is to be the last survivor to win the match.
NON-VIOLENT VICTORY
Yes, FORTNITE is a multiplayer shooter game and the goal is to take people out, but not in a violent way. Learning from my nephews, we call it a ‘non-violent victory’. The shooting is in a very bright, friendly visual style and does not depict bloody violence. It’s a more mature shooting game that places them in a non-threatening, non-realistic world of gameplay.
V-BUCKS
V-bucks is the games own currency. It’s like gold… everyone tries to earn them to unlock new items as they progress without paying a dime. However, if you purchase a Premium Battle Pass, you gain access to exclusive clothing and tiered items that carry out to weekly challenges to earn more accessible items.
Although the game is free, V-Bucks are earned or can be purchased through the Emote Shop. Players can buy the coolest weapons, gear, dances and other items with the V-Bucks so that your character stands out or ‘Emotes’ in the most interesting way.
V-Bucks is how the game makes money throughout the season, which occurs through December. After that, a new season begins and a new pass will need to be purchased. (FYI: Battle Royale is divided into seasons, with season six running until December.)
FORTNITE TERMS
It’s like learning a foreign language. There are so many words and concepts to learn so I won’t bore you with them all, however, I advise you to check out the slang. The most important ones to know is ‘Nub’ and ‘V-Bucks’. Because parents, you don’t ever want to look like a Nub and you may be able to motivate your kids with some V-Bucks this holiday season! I am NOT suggesting use it as bait, rather than use it as a special prize for keeping active or achieving something great.
PLAYERS INVOLVED & TEAM BUILDING
The game can be played solo, with a friend, or a group of friends to compete as a duo or a squad. This is cool because it adds a social element where players are able to chat as they play using headsets and mics… which is great for children to develop communication skills.
While playing solo can be fun, the essence of FORTNITE is within its team mechanics whether that be building bases, sharing loot, calling out enemy locations, or taking down enemies together. When playing with others, communication is important. Typically, the teams that communicate best are the ones around in the endgame.
Some kids will get together to practice the game. There’s also a non-competitive mode called ‘playground’ where they meet up to practice or even make up their own activities such as a new victory dance move.
This is where my mind started smoking in thoughts of how to unite children and parents with movement by relating to each other’s world. Kids want to play and interact with their friends, parents want to be heard and promote an active lifestyle. This is where you (parents) can get creative and introduce a little ‘FORTNITE Fitness Action’ (FFA) with a competition of creative dances combined with useful exercises that they get to create and perform. (Read on to get the FFA workout.)
WHAT MAKES FORTNITE: BATTLE ROYALE APPEALING
It’s amazing what appeals to not only kids, but adults too! Here’s a few reasons why it’s so popular:
- It’s Free
- It’s Silly
- Imaginative
- Interactive
- Social Element
- Team building
- Bright cartoon-like graphics
- Loads of ridiculous items
- Costumes (ie: space suits & dinosaur outfits)
- Incorporates crazy dance moves
- Fun for kids and adults
These are all reasons that make the game fun to play, as well as watch, and has made it a huge hit with famous video game YouTubers and streamers your kids may follow.
MEME MOVES aka Hot Dance Moves
Dancing is one of the best forms of movement and I’m thrilled to see people of all ages breakin’ in down. It’s ‘normal’ to dance anywhere and is a reminder that movement is important in everyday life.
I’ve witnessed kids (adults too) breakin’ it down in schoolyards, parks, sport events, even in the grocery store! This cult appeal has swept the globe and got more people movin’, groovin’, and up off the couch. Many of FORTNITE’s ‘emote’ dance moves are inspired by real world influences from famous movies, shows, songs, and other viral phenomenon.
I found it fascinating to learn about these dances and where they came from. Here’s a few ‘meme moves’ to get your dance mode terms up to speed:
- FLOSS
Song: Flossin
Influenced by: Russell Horning aka ‘Backpack Kid’ feat. DJ Suede the Remix God
Iconic Note: A dance that has spread everywhere, especially after Russell appeared to perform with Katie Perry on Saturday Night Live. Looks simple, but tough to pull off! Takes some coordination!
- CHICKEN
TV Series: Arrested Development (2003-06; 2013)
Influenced by: Wil Arnetes character, Joe,
Iconic Note: Joe breaks out in a bizarre chicken dance to mock people
- HOOTENANNY
Movie: Dumb and Dumber (1994)
Influenced by: Jim Carrey and his crazy movement skills
Iconic Note: Most frantic and hilarious dance move in FORTNITE
- JUBILATION
Show: Seinfeld (1989-98)
Influenced by: Elaine’s party dance from season 4, ‘the wallet’
Iconic Note: One of the most iconic sitcoms of all times where the feet dance frantically with arms in the air. It’s used to celebrate a friend’s revival or express excitement when you explode an enemy to bits!
- DANCE MOVES
TV Series: Scrubs (2001-10); Disney ABC Domestic TV
Influenced by: Season 5 episode ‘My half Acre’, Turk shows off his dance skills to the song ‘Poison’ to join the hospital band.
Iconic Note: One of the first dances in the default dance moves emote.
- TIDY
Song: “Drop it like it’s hot” by Snoop Dog feat. Pharrell
Influenced by: Snoop Dog and Pharrell’s chill grooves from their music video
Iconic Note: One of the hottest rap songs in the 2000’s that is a famous subtle dance emote of Fortnite!
- ORANGE JUSTICE
Influenced By: Orange Shirt Kid
Iconic Note: A kid wearing an orange shirt was a favorite contender in a ’boogie down contest’ that wasn’t chosen to win. People were upset and wanted justice for this kids dance… Epic heard the outcry and Orange Shirt Kids dance made its debut into Fortnite as the ‘people champ’.
- RIDE THE PONY
Song: Gangnam Style by Psy
Influenced By: The song and dance itself!
Iconic Note: Reaching tier 20 earns you to ride the pony emote. The song and dance are a piece of internet history that players use celebrate.
- GROOVY JAM
Movie: Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
Influenced By: Character John Heater puts on an impressive dance in front of his school to help his buddy become class president… now it’s a famous dance.
Iconic Note: During the 4th season of FORTNITE, you are rewarded this dance if you reach tier 95.
- FRESH
TV Series: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-96)
Influenced By: Alfonso Ribeiro; aka Carlton Banks would strike these moves while listening to the song “It’s not unusual” by Tom Jones.
Iconic Note: Who could forget this hot number! Alfonso appeared on Dancing with the Stars and used the move in his dance. Players use this dance boarding the battle bus. Almost 30 years after the series, it still puts a smile on our faces!
I have to mention this next one too, because my Aunt knew about it and I didn’t! So, for those of you who are a bit clueless with the old and new trends, I’m happy to share my findings and help you out too 😉
- THE DAB
Dance Meme: (2015) Style of hip hop dance and is executed when you drop your head into the elbow of one arm while lifting the opposite arm into the air. It basically looks like attempting a polite sneeze into your elbow.
Influenced By: Rapper, Bow Wow
Iconic Note: It’s origin of the name is unknown, however, it’s a created term used in marijuana culture. (I will let you look this one up to understand more.) The move spread around the globe through the hip hop scene. I was wowed to learn this knowing kids are dabbin’ the dance!
- The Groovy Sweat
Exercise Meme: any move that is groovy to get you sweaty and is incorporated into a workout!
Influenced By: Yours truly, Maria Sollon, Fitness Pro and your Total Gym Master Trainer
Iconic Note: One of my favorite movies is a blast from the past called, “Breakin”, which is a movie about break dancing. Yes, I do my best to attempt break dancing moves and incorporate them in my workouts- it’s tough!
You may see kids moving in a way that almost looks like they are fighting themselves or being attacked by an imaginary ‘thing’… but chances are, they’re doing their dance. Honestly, it’s an excellent way to learn some moves and bust them out, anywhere!
I challenge you to bust out your own move in the check out line at Walmart! Who knows, your move could go viral and be the next meme dance move!
FIT GAMIN
Bodies are meant to be in motion especially when you can make it fun. Engage with you kids to get them up and moving by relating to something they enjoy, hence FORTNITE style. Set up a boot camp style with a few different stations that alternate between an exercise on the Total Gym, a body weight exercise, cardio, and a dance move. The person on the total gym counts 10 reps while everyone else performs the other exercises chosen! Then you rotate to the next station until all are performed. Perform the warmup and cool down all together. Here’s a quick example of how it would look:
WARMUP DROP ZONE:
BOOTCAMP BATTLE:
*repeat or choose 4 different stations
COOL DOWN VICTORY:
If a bootcamp with your kids is out of the question, then just turn on some music for them so they could bust a move while you get into your own Total Gym zone. The goal is for everyone to laugh, be entertained, and to stay in motion for a period of time. Hey- if you cant beat them, you might as well join them in a dance off!
This video demonstrates how you can get a great Total Gym workout while your kids keep in motion. Also, see if you can identify the FORTNITE dances being demonstrated by my nephews!
Exercises included in this video are:
- Pullover Crunch
- Bicycle Crunch
- Straight Leg Lowers
- Double Leg Stretch
- High Kneeling Rows & Reaches
- High Pulls + static rows
- Torso Rotation
- Hug a Tree
Do you play FORTNITE or want to get moving with the latest gaming trends? Then try combining a workout with a game your kids love. After the completion of a mini ‘FORTNITE Battle Bootcamp’ sesh, you will be chanting “Victory Royale” too!
The genre of Battle Royale is here to stay and will continue to evolve with time to bigger and better modes. Stay on top of your game and move to your own beat!
Happy Holidays and let the games move you into the new year!
Best,
Maria
www.groovysweatstore.com
@GROOVYSWEAt 
