EA Sports Active 2 is the sequel to EA Sports Active, adding new exercises, workout plans, and bringing the series to the Xbox360 and PS3 alongside the Wii.
The major inclusion of Active 2 is a wireless heart rate monitor worn on the arm. The player's heart rate is displayed on the screen along with five activity targets giving encouragement to faster rates for pushing themselves harder.
Active 2's major change from the previous title is to move away from using handheld sensors to track activity. The PS3 and Wii versions include additional wireless sensors worn on the arm and leg, while the Xbox360 version uses only the heart rate monitor and the Kinect to track movement.
Players can choose from three week or nine week programs. These programs are rigidly guided systems that track players through the range of weeks selected. Four exercises are scheduled per week, and the contents of each session are preset by unspecified fitness experts.
The game encourages users to fill out an in-game journal, inviting them to log eating habits, weight, hours slept, and additional activity outside of the program. All of this information is presented in various charts and graphs giving a general idea of the user's progress through the program.
Workout sessions include various exercises such as running in place, squats, jumping in place, weight raises, and bent-over rows. Each session has a warm-up and cool down period with stretches. Minigames are also used as part of the exercises, including basketball, mountain biking, and boxing.
The Wii version is limited to one player. The 360 supports up to two players locally. The 360 and PS3 versions include online multiplayer, allowing two players to perform the same workout session at the same time.
Players can also track and share their workouts from the web using an online tracking system. They can join a "Workout Group," tracking and contributing to a total group goal.
