Is Wii Fit a Good Workout?

Wii Fit is a fitness game created for the NINTENDO Wii. It requires the use of a Balance Board sold as a separate accessory for the Wii. According to its makers, Wii Fit combines fun and fitness into a single product. You can exercise body muscles, burn calories, perform regular routines, balance games, aerobics, strength training, training plus and so on. The game also measures your center of balance, Body Mass Index, and calculates your Wii Fit age based on the outcome of random balance-tests after taking into consideration your actual age.

Ever since the game was launched, the question is the “Wii FIT a good workout?” has flooded forums, blogs and the online health community with many wondering how a video game could possibly be as effective as the real thing. Several reviews have propped up the internet since its release including some high-profile names you ordinarily shouldn’t expect to be reviewing games. CNN referred to the Nintendo fitness game as giving kinder, gentler, workouts, with a good mix of easy-to-learn activities. Timesonline.co.uk said in a review that “parents have good reason to be grateful to the Nintendo Wii.” The same question was answered indifferently by healthhabits.ca where they claim that it depends on who is asked.

For Children

In a disclaimer on their website, Nintendo acknowledges that it isn’t always accurate in measuring the Body Mass Index of children below 19 years. A popular row started when the product was launched and it was found that little girls had results that summarily said they were fat even when they appeared to be physically fit for their ages.

For Weight Loss

It estimates the number of calories you burn in each training activity. Set the number of calories you want to burn each day and work towards this goal. The Fit Bank opens access to more activities as you do your daily training. This creates a fun environment and helps encourage further workouts. The personal feedback feature is yet another important aspect that measures where your center of balance is at each stage of the workout. It delivers a personal feedback with suggestions to help improve future sessions.

Strength training, aerobics, yoga, and special training activities are available in a 3D demo and in real time so you can see exactly how the exercise is done and understand correct body movements and positions from all angles as it’s performed by a virtual character.

The Verdict

If you find it difficult going to the gym, the Nintendo Wii FIT as professed by thousands of gamers who have posted positive reviews online is an exciting way to have fun and burn calories at the same time. Losing weight from the comfort of the home isn’t natural to many of us by this is by far a cheaper option compared to gym fees and special equipment to stay physically fit.