Wii Fit ~ A Wii Giant Bit of Fit and Fun
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I have been hearing about Nintendo’s Wii Fit for some time now. But as I’m not a video gamer, I haven’t had the chance to try it out. That all changed recently when I visited someone with a Wii, and got a chance to play. It was totally cool. I actually perspired and had a lot of fun.

Sure the graphics can leave something to be desired and I do wonder if the calibrations for correct body positioning can possibly apply to all people and body types and I think that BMI is definitely not the best way to figure out if a person is in a healthy or obese fat range. Even so, I think Wii Fit has so many positive points that it is a good investment, especially if you’re the type of person who likes to exercise indoors.

Some of Wii’s good points

It improves balance. I checked out a number of the balancing exercises and was quite impressed with the variation and the balance-improving effects. I’m an avid tai chi-er, and tai chi is well known for improving balance, so to say I was impressed is high praise.

Wii improves senior’s quality of life. There are reports all over the news and Internet of Wii being a huge hit in retirement homes and with seniors groups. Activities that had become un-do-able became do-able in smaller increments. Many of those playing noticed over time that their strength and endurance and enjoyment increased to such a degree that enthusiasm escalated and Wii tournaments sprang up between retirement homes.

Variety! The spice of life. With just the Wii Fit you can choose from numerous activities that fall under the categories of yoga, strength, cardio, and balance. Exercises such as tree pose, rowing squat, plank challenge, soccer ball heading, slalom skiing, ski jumping, step, tightrope walk, and penguin slide to name only a few. You can also run, bowl, or play tennis, baseball, and golf.

Wii is fun. Okay, people have seen me dance, but I’m not a natural dancer. I don’t love it. However, get me going with the Wii and a bit of friendly dance competition, and, go girl. I definitely broke a sweat and a grin.

Wii does give you cardio. I’ve been reading numerous reviews from personal trainers that Wii lacks on the cardio end. Sure there are pauses between menu choices. And if you only use the basic Wii Fit you may be a bit shy on the aerobic end (though the boxing and hula-hooping will get your lungs pumping for sure). However, you don’t have to stick with just Wii Fit. There are numerous other Wii games you can try. My brother’s fave is Rayman Raving Rabbids (aka Rabbits). It’s hysterical and it has exercise and game options, such as the dancing I mentioned earlier, that get your heart rate and cardio pumping. Also, newly out is Gold Gym’s Cardio Workout for Wii.

People will play Wii. Ask any kinesiologist, personal trainer, or recent exercise program quitter what the hardest part of keeping active is? Continuation, the stick-to-it-ness. Wii has somehow created a fun form of exercising that people continue doing. And that is the most amazing and important factor. Because if you don’t like your exercise, you won’t do it at all, so no benefits. I believe that a little bit everyday (or about 4 to 6 days a week) is far better than nothing at all.

For me, a non-video gamer, to endorse a video game package as a great way to keep fit and have fun, is quite unexpected. All I can say, is if you know someone with a Wii, ask them if you can try it out. Then judge for yourself. And please say hi to the Rabbids for me!

Resource Links
Wii-habilitation ‘could prevent elderly from falls’
Balance Board Blog ‘Retirement homes jump on the Wii Fit bandwagon’
Wii Fit Guide: The latest news and tips for Wii Fit
Wii Fit Reviewed
Wii Fit for the Elderly a Report
Wii used in Parkinson’s study
The Great Wii Fit-Off: Gamer vs Trainer
Miyamoto Speaks: Wii Fit, Design Challenges and More
What’s in the Wii Box?

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