Wii Weights could spark legions of Wii athletes

Sure, we know there's swarms of you out there who'd take a few hours in The Slim Machine instead of being forced to run around your block or pump some iron, but here's a relatively fair compromise. The Wii Weights prototype is nothing more than your average strap-on wrist weight coated in white and stamped with that (likely trademarked) Wii logo, but let's face it, if you've got to burn the calories, you're better off doing so whilst playing Wii Sports. Ideally, the weights would range from one to four pounds, and should do some serious sculpting on your array of arm muscles if you make it a habit to game with these on. So if shedding nine pounds over the holidays training as a Wii athlete just wasn't encouragement enough for you to participate, just imagine the additional pounds that'll vanish (and the muscles that'll surface) when adding these bad boys into the mix.

[Via Crave]

[Ryan @ Feb 9th 2007 12:12PM]

I bought a couple of wrist weights (1.5lbs) from The Sports Authority a few weeks after I got my Wii. Massive workout swinging those things around in tennis.

[Dave @ Feb 9th 2007 12:12PM]

Aren't you going to end up with one well-sculpted arm and one gimp arm?

[melvin @ Feb 9th 2007 1:33PM]

This is a great thought-- however if my 6 year old biology memory serves me right, I believe that if one side of your body begins building muscle during workout, the other side will also grow to keep things even. I do think the non-worked-out side ends up being weaker, but it is not as noticeable as one might think.

I did a very cursory search and found the article here: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0KGB/is_5_4/ai_n6006182

Which of course offers no citations for their claims. However, my fading memory of something said in biology class plus this article must mean it's true!

[Brian Stuckey @ Feb 9th 2007 12:31PM]

Now - imagine those weights flying off and hitting a tv instead of the controller.

[Todd @ Feb 9th 2007 12:22PM]

I expect the sales results of "Wii weights" to be similar to the results of fresh fruit being sold at Dunk'in Donuts.

[capn @ Feb 9th 2007 12:24PM]

I think much of the discomfort from playing Wii Sports is due to the fact that there is no "extra" weight built into the Wiimote. I've always felt that I was overextending an extremely light controller. This should work wonders! I'm stoked.

[Nando @ Feb 9th 2007 12:29PM]

Yeah, you're going to wind up like Homer Simpson in this picture:

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/9154/gabf20078qf2.jpg

[Brad @ Feb 9th 2007 1:06PM]

Now all I need is a "body by Wii" T-shirt and I'll be in great shape

[Rick Person @ Feb 9th 2007 2:13PM]

Ridiculous. I mean come on here people, you really think anybody is going to get substantial amount of exercise playing Wii??? Yeah it may ward off total immobility for some video game junkies but to think that you're going to get fit playing Wii is just absurd. I could obtain a higher heart rate and convert more fat into muscle by spending 30 minutes on an elliptical than I could playing the Wii for an entire month. Its the difference between walking and running and getting your heart rate up - sure you're going to drop a few pounds by walking your ass off but its going to get to a point where you're against a brick wall in terms of getting fit.

[Nihiloz @ Jun 26th 2007 7:49AM]

actually Rick, a brisk walk is much more beneficial to your health (and getting in shape) than running; no matter what the duration is...

If you are going to try and bust the Wii's chops, then you might as well know what you are talking about ^_^

[andy @ Feb 9th 2007 1:17PM]

when are they releasing the Wii shower?

[John @ Feb 9th 2007 1:26PM]

Wouldn't they be Wiithletes?

[Dave @ Feb 9th 2007 6:35PM]

That's Wiitarded.

[Julio @ Feb 9th 2007 1:42PM]

lol @ Melvin

both sides are independent.

[Nando @ Feb 9th 2007 1:44PM]

lol @ Julio for lolling @ Melvin.

[GJP303 @ Feb 9th 2007 6:56PM]

lol @ Nando for loling @ Julio for lolling @ Melvin.

[Julio @ Feb 9th 2007 2:15PM]

k I've done some research, there is a cross-training effect that usually happens in the non-dominant limb while doing exercises with the dominant limb. however, that cross-training effect does not make the equal, only less different
so yes, you will end up with a stronger arm if you only use one of them, your body will act and compensate by stimulating neuromuscular junctions but it isn't enough to make them equal. if you exaggerate, this difference will become noticeable

[Brian @ Feb 11th 2007 12:26PM]

Rick Pearson, have you played any Wii games? It's a suprisingly engrossing and an energetic activity. Sure you might get more of a workout in 30 minutes on an elliptical than 30 minutes of playing Wii sports, but you might play a Wii game for a couple of hours.

If you're going to be moving around while playing your Wii games, you might as well strap on a wrist weight and get a little extra benefit. These would work well with Wii boxing; that game can be a real upper body workout if you play it like you're really boxing.

[John @ Feb 9th 2007 2:49PM]

When one side grows to match the other side getting exercise - is that like when I get a zit on one side of my neck and the next week I get one on the other?

Wiiology is so fun!

[Spartacus @ Feb 9th 2007 3:14PM]

Well John stole my entire reason for coming to the comments I was thinking exactly wiithletes myself.

The lopsided arms thing is a thought, but most people already have an arm stronger than the other. I think the Wii could be a great way for people to work on their ambidexterity, and yeah, a somewhat decent workout. Screw the guy on his elliptical, that's DULL. Running around playing tennis in the comfort of a living room, that's entertaining. The key is that it's a step toward activtainment.

[Moordryd @ Feb 9th 2007 3:38PM]

Chronic masturbation = one arm bigger than the other
Chronic Wiisturbation = one arm bigger than the other

(Sorry if this is a double-post)

[bill @ Feb 9th 2007 4:18PM]

wiithletes < athwiites
i win!

[Macha88 @ Feb 9th 2007 8:31PM]

Sadly, the damage caused by not properly velcro-ing wii weights have resulted in hundreds of demolished tv's and humans.

[Nintendo Wii @ Feb 11th 2007 2:06AM]

The new exercise craze WII rofl

I bought a wii and you can too






Wii Nintendo

[Nintendo Wii @ Feb 11th 2007 2:09AM]

Lose weight with wii is the new exercise craze

http://www.wiiyou.com

[locke6854 @ Apr 9th 2007 10:49PM]

Just masturbate with the opposite hand you hold the wiimote and you should be fine

[erufiku @ Apr 11th 2007 9:22PM]

If swinging motions are involved you may as well forget about this novelty. Added weight will (in due time) ruin your joints, especially if you're not exactly the athletic type to start with.

Now, if they came up with an array of wireless sensors for the whole body and came up with a few decent games to utilize them (think DDR, but with your whole body) then we'd be in business.

The geek in my is longing for the day when I can go to a gym and get in a (virtual) race, be it on a treadmill, bike or whatnot.

[richard @ Aug 3rd 2009 11:10AM]

I've duct taped a six kilo dumbell to my Wii and have been doing boxing training with it and just changing hands. The punchbag lasts for one minute each hand. job done.