Pokemon Go app helping players with their cardio

Blake Kleffner wants to be the very best, like no one ever was— to catch them is his real test and to train them is his cause.

Kleffner joined the dozens on Idaho State University’s quad Monday playing the new gaming app Pokemon Go. The app has its players to explore their surroundings to catch Pokemon and complete their Pokedex.

“The first night I definitely was out until about 2 a.m.,” Kleffner said. “The second night I was up until 4 a.m. and I actually had a drawstring backpack. I brought food with me.”

Unlike most apps where you sit-in-place and tap on your smartphone’s screen, Pokemon Go requires people to get up and move around. The app is programmed in a way that people will need to go to where the Pokemon are to catch them.

There’s also features, like the PokeSpots and PokeGyms, where you have to be physically near them to use them. Also, PokeEggs only hatch when a person has walked the required distance. For example, some require you to walk two kilometers, others require you to walk ten kilometers.

The required cardio element has some giving the app a thumbs up. Nicolle Clay, a personal trainer at Fitness, Inc., said even a little movement makes a difference to making a healthier you.

“Anything that’s going to get us to take a few more steps everyday is going to benefit the functionality of our body and our brain function,” she said.

Police recommend a couple safety tips to follow while playing:

Be aware of your surroundings while playing. Be sure not to trespass on private property. Play the game in groups to increase your safety.