Wii Fit: the 30 day test starts today
By Ryan Block 
posted May 9th 2008 1:36PM
posted May 9th 2008 1:36PM
Methodology
- I'll be working with Wii Fit out about 20 game-minutes a day, 7 days a week.
- My program will consist of five minutes each of routines and games from the four fitness categories: strength training, aerobics, yoga, and balance games.
- As a control, I won't be dramatically changing up my eating habits. I'm already a reasonably healthy eater, so any physical changes will be more easily attributable to the Wii Fit regimen.
- I have about a week of travel scheduled this month, so for whatever days I miss on Wii Fit I'll be extending the trial.
- I'll chart my changes in weight, BMI, coordination, etc. and thoughts on the experience in a weekly update for the next five weeks.
Height: 6-feet
Weight: 174.5 pounds
Frame: small-to-medium
BMI according to Wii Fit: 23.65 (upper cusp of normal)
Wii Fit "Body age": 36
Wii Fit goal (you have to set a goal for yourself)
Target weight: 169.5 pounds
Target BMI: 22.96
Target date: 6/12
Nice shirt!
OH CMON...
This guy weighs 175 lbs and he's trying to lose weight on WiiFit?
What about the obese American fatboddies who weigh upwards of 300 and won't even be able to stand on this board without snapping that piece of sh*t like a goddamn twig?
175? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
This thing is a GIMMICK and just another title to add to the rest of Wii's lackluster titles. I guarrantee you all, less than 5 months after you get it, its gonna be put in the closet next to the FAILED Ab Lounge, Ab Flex, Bo Flex, and the treadmill.
You want real weight loss, STOP EATING.
(low rank me - I don't care)
OK I will
Flashpoint
you can make your point, but that certainly has nothing to do with the shirt.
+ you are getting really annoying lately, you probably realised it too, maybe psychiatrists would help.
"(low rank me - I don't care)"
Done.
@ flashpoint
Wii Sports is fun, Smash Bros Brawl is downright sick, the new Mario Kart is dope, and the new Mario World is even better. Just because it didn't ship with Halo, all the u1tr4 133t gamers out there keep crapping on it.
I just bought a Wii and honestly it's been more fun than ANY other system. Not only that but for the first time, even my grandparents will play video games with me. My gramps loves Wii Golf!
In short, stop hating. Wii rocks, you suck.
Is there a way to filter out specific peoples posts... Flashpoint has more troll postings that a Slashdot Microsoft article.
Go ahead and post me up.. I don't care
Flashpoint = Engadget's number one reason to implement a Block User button.
"(low rank me - I don't care)"
But by saying that, it means you really do care, otherwise you wouldn't have written it.
In addition to the other comments - Flashpoint, you don't seem to understand what Wii Fit is. It's not a weight loss device. You see the name? You see the word "Fit" in there? You see the programs like yoga in there?
Care to buy a clue?
The Wii Fit is designed to get you fit. It's not a weight loss gimmick. If you do stuff from the different programs, it will tone you up. For anybody with a relatively sedentary lifestyle, even people who are not overweight, the Wii Fit has real benefits. Regular exercise will bring your blood pressure down and give you some muscle tone if you do it for long enough. Weight loss is one of the benefits of exercise.
I don't see how anything about this device could be considered "bad" in any way, by any stretch of the imagination.
I think it would be more informative if you measured your body fat before & after instead. You're already skinny enough. Lose the fat, add muscle.
@Flashpoint: "I guarrantee you all, less than 5 months after you get it, its gonna be put in the closet next to the FAILED Ab Lounge, Ab Flex, Bo Flex, and the treadmill."
You can fit a bowflex and a treadmill in your closet?!
When will Nintendo come out with a game that will help you grow your hair back? :-P
Flashpoint....
Nintendo was at my work yesterday for a demo. They said the board can hold up to 600 lbs before it breaks and the scales can read up to 300 lbs.
I'm surprised that Flashpoint didn't zero in on that Macbook power supply on the floor.
@Quix
Lets be honest a block Flashpoint would be more then sufficient and every time u click it you'd be dissing Flashpoint
Looks like he's balancing on a log.
That's exactly what I thought at first too. I was pretty impressed there for a couple seconds.
Ahh your referring to a rollabolla i believe is what its called.
It also looks like he's holding his stomach in.
Hey Ryan are you?
Keep it up! All your Engadget fans are rooting for you! Where are the cheerleaders? :P
6', 174?
You need to GAIN weight, Ryan. Maybe Wii-Personal-Trainer, with some really heavy joysticks?
I'm 6' and 155lbs, notice he said small-medium frame.
what is wrong with you walking sticks? do you have to wear a belt with your underwear? sheesh.
come on guys, Ryan is doing this only because you guys voted for it. I'm more inclined to know if this thing really works before testing it out myself, whether he needs to do this or not is another issue.
PLEASE STOP! It's too depressing! Look at that room - no real curtains, shades drawn so the people passing by on the sidewalk can't see in...it's all just too depressing. please. stop.
However, I think the rug pulls the room together rather nicely.
Rug on rug...why? If I've got a rug, why do I need another rug on top of it? Help me understand.
"Help me understand."
A second rug on top of carpet in high traffic areas allows you to replace a worn out rug easier/cheaper than replacing a whole room's carpeting.
There are also some aesthetic considerations that can't be explained. You either appreciate them and put the money into it or you don't and put your money into something else.
Now you know.
@JamesR
No matter how you spin it, it looks terrible.
Top rug works well with his t-shirt, I am happy.
I have excellent decorating skills, thank you. You're seeing a tiny corner of the room, give me a break!
Everyone's a critic....
Veronica,
I too thought the room looked depressing, but now that I know that you are the one who decorated it, I think it looks great! Yes, we all like you that much!
lol at the defensive V, I guess you really can't help being absolutely adorable...
this really isn't the most flattering pic for anyone, but if its any consolation, i like the baseboard heating
does the wii offer any games that will help improve writing?
*maintains innocent look*
GOOD LUCK MAN!
KUDOS TO YOU!
good luck sir. (the pic is quite amusing in its ambivalence).
VIDEO OR IT DIDN'T HAPPEN!
..and there has to be some music from Rocky playing in the background.
Yeah, I wanna him going all out...
It's a montage !
Correct me if I'm wrong but I think you just said that you wanna him...
Yeah! And I want to see some hair growing on your head too or else I won't see progress :)
i wanna SEE* him going all out...
hes got to want it - go big or go er.. outside?
And why is "Body Age: 36" in quotes? Is that not the true age of the body?
Wii Fit, like Wii Sports, makes up an age for you based upon your performance.
Brain Age started it by giving your brain an age based on your metal abilities.
Interesting idea Ryan, I'm curious as to how effect Wii Fit will actually be or if it's just a novel Wii-gaming experience.
onestly it seems like there's nothing to loose on that piece of meat... :D
http://www.mytechnology.eu/2008/04/28/wii-fit-testato-ecco-i-pro-e-i-contro/
And where exactly are the WII FIT socks ?
No one works out 7 days a week it's unrealistic planning. Especially if you think you may continue past the test period. Life has it's moments that pull us away, and taking a day off keeps a workout program fresh. The Wii fit shouldn't be a "Ball and Chain" - Just a thought.
I agree... I work out at best 4 days a week and find that to be enough.
Ryan you're a perfect test subject for most of us... not overweight, but probably unfit.
7 days a week is an unreasonable goal to set. Especially for someone who's not used to exercise. Don't make the beginner's mistake of thinking that you'll do better/faster if you do 7 days a week. I'd recommend 30 minutes 5 times a week. It gives you roughly the same amount of exercise time, is probably easier to schedule around your life and will also give you better cardio (you're not going to see that much improvement from 5 minutes of cardio).
Also, for some types of exercise your body does need that day of rest to repair itself and give you the gains that you're actually working for.
P.S. You're an office full of techno/graphics geeks... couldn't you find someone to brighten that photo up a little bit?
P.P.S. So Veronica baulked at the challenge then?
Good man! Make us proud, sir!
Bring it on!!
I've asked around but can't seem to get a solid answer on this.
I have plush carpet, so unless I put the balance board on my coffee table, I will not be able to set this on a solid foundation. Does anybody know how well this works on anything but wood floors?
I'm not going to re-floor the place just so I can kick my legs back and forth.
1) If you're not so committed to losing weight as to give up your 70's plush carpet, WAYSA?
2) Ryaan is using it a rug. Maybe go buy a rug?
3) Put it on a board which will be on your plush carpet!
4) This isn't rocket science
Mile,
1. I don't need to lose weight, I'm 6'2" 180 lbs. If anything, I could use an extra 5 lbs or so. I would basically use this when my gym is closed and it's not feasible working out outdoors (weather, 3 AM, etc). Plus, it looks fun. Also, I said plush carpet, not shag, so WAYSA 1u1z!?
2. Good for Ryan. I basically asked how stable this is on carpet. If I have plush carpeting, and want a stable foundation, why would I add more cushion by laying a rug on top of my carpet? (talk about rocket science)
3. Sounds classy.
4. You're right, understanding what I said isn't rocket science.
You're worried about class with your plush carpet from 1970 and a plastic platform on top of it that you use to lose weight? AYRTS? IA?
I can see by the vanilla apartment and furnishings that blogging doesn't pay. Maybe instead of playing with your Wii, you should get a copywriting gig instead.
Awesome. Good luck man!
Good luck. Digging the rug.
wow your just like morgan spurlock. Can you super size your time on the Wii Fit and get some muscle on you? Are you going to make Engadget your equivalent of a documentary? I hope not. Isn't there any tech news today we can use this space for?
Post your results with Google docs. You know charts, tables, the whole nine yards.
6 ft tall, 175 pounds, and you think 20 minutes a day of working out is going to do anything?
How's this sound: Wii Fit, 2 hours, 3 days a week;
Weight lifting, 2 hours, 3 days a week.
It sounds painful.
You don't have to be Fat to be out of shape. Plenty of thin people die every day from heart attacks. Good luck, I'll be watching your progress.
Oh my god It really works! I can see your feet getting all veiny and shit!! *runs to stand in line in Best Buy to buy Wii Fit...*
I didn't know that Moby wrote for engadget. I think he should really refocus on making cheesy techno.
which LCD do u guys use ?
Good Luck! Don't forget the daily picture for the time sequence at the end of this experiment.
You guys have no idea how many women (moms in their 30s or 40s who want to lose that "extra 10 pounds") will want this game. Come on people, Nintendo is pretty damn smart pushing this one out.
good point. Their kids will say "See mom, now we both have a reason to want a wii".
Flashpoint
you can make your point, but that certainly has nothing to do with the shirt.
+ you are getting really annoying lately, you probably realised it too, maybe psychiatrists would help.
Ryan,
I'm a personal trainer... a real one that used to be director of a renowned university's personal training program and not the "trainer to the stars" kind (even though I have had some celebrity clients). Hit me up if you need any insight or help.
You're going to need some spandex to do it right.
I think Ryan needs to bulk up more than he needs to lose weight.... I'm kinda in the same boat myself. Can the wii-fit really fill that purpose?
Don't listen to the haters, Ryan. There's nothing wrong with the rug. You are the mang.
To see someone who actually NEEDS to lose weight (me) do this same thing with Wii Fit, come to http://wiifitproject.com. Of course, I don't have an advance copy of Wii Fit, so the experiment doesn't start for a few weeks, but I'm getting all the groundwork laid for the experiment to go well.
Can I lose 40 pounds with Wii Fit? I guess we'll see.
Ryan, please answer the most important question:
How big are your feet?
That Wii Fit looks tiny. Can I use it with my size 15 clonkers?
Good luck, mate...
I think we should also see/do a study on someone that ways say 235 and is 6'9"...wanna send me a Wii and a Fit to trial?
Dude. 235 and 6'9"? I'm pretty sure you don't need to lose any weight at all.
I on the other hand, about 285 and 6 foot. Maybe they could send it to me?
Ya my fat fingers mashed the keyboard. I meant 5'9"
I'm 6'6" and 278 and I'll be doing it to lose 40 pounds.
Can we see Veronica Belmont hittin' it on the Wii Fit? I would tune in for daily spandex-laden updates on that.
/agree
HAH! I'm going to do it too, and track it on my own blog. No spandex though, sorry!
how'd you guys convince moby to do your experiment?
This comment made my day.
Good luck, not sure how far you're going to get standing on piece of plastic. To comment to the person who said that no one works out 7 days a week, true that is hard, but if the workout is so low impact as WiiFit, I don't see why not. I had recently completed a P90X regiment, that's a real workout, if anything I'm sure we'd love to see Ryan try that routine out.
Actually I think the person should invest in Wii-Hair instead of worrying about his body fat. I guess I can still talk since I'm 38 and still have plenty of hair.
Bald @ 22 years old.
Get deez nuts.
such proper usage of the wiimote wrist strap. i'm sure nintendo would be proud.
You guys are ruthless! But I agree, Ryan will not lose weight on this. I prepaid for mine already and I am 5' 2" and 118 lbs. I'm not planning to lose weight, I'm using it to keep my blood pressure down.
I have a question!
What exactly is the cause of the general hostility to the idea? I'm 5'11" and weight 175lbs, but am not in the best shape at all (or atleast I wasn't before I started my own exercise regimen)... would the same people that seem to be so hostile to Ryan doing this tell me that exercising 6 days a week (different things each day) is a terrible idea? Whereas, not only does my doctor tell me that working out as I do is a generally good decision, but I feel all around healthier because of it?
I'm just trying to figure out where all of the negativity is coming from...
It's because this board is full of haters. In fact, they've drank so much haterade, they hate themselves. Hence the need to take it out on someone making a positive health decision.
Ryan - Hope you hit your goal, and don't change your rug, drapes, or job.
Actually with your height you are SIX POUNDS UNDER YOUR IDEAL WEIGHT. why put yourself through losing weight if you need to gain 6 Lbs. Seems kind counter productive to me.....6 feet =180 pounds. Look it up, I'm not joking. I too am a tall person who is trying desperately to achieve his ideal weight of 180 pounds but I am stuck at 157.5. Hows that. without wiifat or anything.
You couldn't be more wrong. I'm 6'1 and way 180 pounds. I so need to loose weight or atleast move it around to the correct places. I'm not fat but I'm slighly chubby in the wrong places like my tummy. My BF works out twice a week with heavy weights in attempts to gain muscle mass and has done so for years and at 6'2 he weighs 135 pounds. But boy is he is hott...
There is no scientific standard weight for all heights, it all depends on your build.
http://digg.com/nintendo/Wii_Fit_the_30_day_test_starts_today
digg
Why is he still using the balance board on the carpet, then it doesn't work accurate right?