A question about endurance.

[sakichan]

Okay, so I've been playing DDR for a while now, but only just recently improved enough to where I can play on Heavy mode. I still play most songs on standard, but I have an interesting question.

While I can play for a while on Standard mode, and have no problems technique-wise with it, I get too tired to play for more than a few songs in a row. I feel slightly out of breath, but mostly, my legs just hurt like crazy.
The stranger problem is that on Light, I can play forever without feeling out of breath, breaking a sweat, or anything. My legs still cramp up, however, after a while.
And on Heavy mode, I feel worn-out before I can even finish most songs.

So I assume that neither Light mode nor Heavy mode are good for me, since I'll never be able to achieve and maintain my target heart rate with them. But what I need are suggestions as to how I can play for an hour (or three) straight on Standard mode without wanting to die the next day while climbing the steps to my Chem class. Anyone?

Thanks,
Amy C.

[xstatic]

how long have you been playing standard mode? How often do you play it, and for how long do you play it? It just takes some time. Start off doing 30 min sessions. Then increase it to 45 min. etc. If you overkill when your muscles aren't ready, they're going to hurt. Also I suggest that you stretch before and after you play. This should help your situation out a lot.

[Grant.]

It's all a matter of what your body gets used to. You are not going to be able to do an hour of heavy right off the bat, you need to work up to it like xstatic said. Don't worry, just keep with it and soon you'll be AA'n those 9 footers

[psisar]

It just takes a while to build up your stamina enough to play on heavy. There's anywhere from two to five times as many steps on heavy than there is on light, so that's why it's wearing you down. I could probably play forever on light, but only about two hours at the most on heavy.

Just keep on playing, eventually the exhaustion and leg cramps will go away