Brett's Blog: Wii Fit: Will it work?
June 25, 2008 | by Brett Blumenthal | 3 Comments
by Brett BlumenthalNintendo’s Wii Fit is revolutionizing the health and fitness industry, getting people of all ages off their butts and moving in a healthier direction. I don’t own Wii…and there is a good chance I never will. However, about 4 months ago, I tried out a friend’s Wii Tennis game for a few hours (I don’t feel the need to explain myself, it just happened).
Throughout the game, I took it relatively seriously and found that I got quite a little workout. I held the remote and swung my arm as if I was holding a real tennis racquet. Feet in position…full strokes…both forward and back hands. After about fifteen minutes, I actually started to work up a small sweat. Not only did I have a ton of fun, I was really imprssed by how much ’exercise’ I got.
After a full night of Wii, I slept really soundly and woke up the next day with a really sore shoulder. I’m not talking a little sore, I was SORE. The soreness persisted for about 4 days and I promise you, it made me rethink my strength training regimen.
So now Nintendo has introduced the highly popular Wii Fit. Wii Tennis was not part of the Wii Fit game, it was just one of their basic games, and as we already established, it busted my butt. Wii Fit promises to do that and more. It is meant to combine fun and fitness, transforming the traditional model of ’Couch Potato and Video Game’ to ‘Active Player and Video Game’. Types of games include: Yoga, Strength Training, Balance and Cardio. The Wii Balance Board, which you stand on during the game, is a scale that reads your real-life movements and brings them to life on screen, just like the Wii Remote controller I used during the Tennis Game. It also allows you to set goals, chart your progress and find out measurements such as your BMI.
I think it is fantastic that it is getting people moving, but I do wonder how accurate the Wii is, and when it comes to ensuring safe movements and proper form, does it really substitute a personal trainer. If you are out of shape to begin with, you want to make sure you aren’t doing anything that could cause injury.
Have any of you tried the Wii? Have any of you tried Wii Fit? I’m anxious to hear what you have to say…
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I think the important thing to remember about the WII, is that if you are serious and want it to work you have to do the moves correctly. Don’t cheat just because no one is there to catch you.
We have a Wii and the Wii Fit. I really enjoy checking in daily to see how I am doing, it is much more inviting that our traditional weight scale.
I’d like to recognize Nintendo’s approach to fitness combined with fun. I dont think that the intention is to replace any vigorous excercise but simply to enhance it. I spin as well as take yoga on a regular basis. Checking in on Wii Fit daily keeps me aware of my weight and BMI, but more importantly my balance. Anything that creates such an awareness about your health, balance and lifestyle is great!!!
Color me skeptical. Like, whenever you see someone working out on the eliptical, you just know it’s not that good a workout. Those people are almost always smiling and almost never sweating. Compare an eliptical or even a treadmill run to running outside. It’s nowhere near as efficient indoors. I have to think that Wii Fit will be similar, but even less efficient.
But I suppose for folks that wouldn’t be working out at all otherwise, it’s far better than nuthin’.