Wii Fit: feelin' the burn (part 1)

We've still got a few weeks left to see how we'll do going up against the Nintendo-made workout routines of the Wii Fit, but we can tell you that we've had some mixed results early on. We'll do a full wrap-up later, but for now some initial notes.

We were off to a pretty good start in the first couple of days -- but be warned, you do need plenty of space where you intend to work out, especially as you get started in the strength training. We were a little surprised at just how much space was needed at times, so unless you've got plenty of it you may end up like us, spending plenty of time shuffling and reshuffling the balance board back and forth.

Players (exercisers?) are rewarded with more reps and new routines as they log hours, and if you're unfit (like we are) even some of the beginner exercises will undoubtedly reveal all those atrophied muscles (especially the push-ups / side-plank and jackknife routines, which are killers). Wii Fit's use of a plain, clearly visualized trainer makes learning the exercises -- and even the more complicated yoga poses -- easy for newbs. More after the break.

It only took an hour or two of doing the same routines before all the helpful input from your virtual trainer became tedious and repetitive. You can only hear your trainer say "Visualize the muscles you want to work" so many times, you know? You'll also be spending about 1/3rd of your total time in Wii Fit trying to get through a seemingly endless string of menus, intros, prompts, and requests to step on or off the balance board -- the reward for your patience is to initiate the next exercise.

Another big downer is the inability to play your own music. Wii Fit is clearly intended to be an accessible solution for people that haven't made fitness a part of their regular routine, so you'd think the software would be as accommodating and painless as possible if it's going to get people off the couch. Not being able to play music wouldn't be nearly as vexing if you could just turn down the monotonous Wii Fit music so you can play your tunes on a boombox or something, but you can't really mute the whole thing because the trainer does give some valuable real-time verbal feedback (like letting you know your balance is off, or that you're almost done).

As for our consistency in keeping up the exercises, well, it hasn't been great. We've logged a number of hours, but it's already becoming hard to see working in Wii Fit when the workouts themselves seem so encumbered by the software that delivers them. Although we're clearly working some unused muscles, we're not yet getting the feeling that the Wii Fit's burning any substantive amount of calories (or fat), or that it's any substitute for hitting the gym with some regularity. There's sweat, but it's not coming in buckets. We'll keep at it though, so check back in a few days for our next update.

[Jason @ May 21st 2008 4:50PM]

I would like to get back in shape...if I could only find a Wii Fit. Until then, I guess I will remain the slightly overweight beer-swilling person that I am.

[Adam @ May 21st 2008 3:32PM]

Purchased one this morning from Best Buy. Showed up about 10 mins before they opened and there were already 12 people in line. They had a "buy one" policy and only had 17 in stock for people that didn't pre-order.

[Seth @ May 21st 2008 3:53PM]

I think Ryan will soon be the next Arnold Schwarzenegger of the tech blogs with his Wii Fit.

[Adam @ May 21st 2008 3:30PM]

Stop blogging! More Wii Fit'in! More Sweatin'!

[Adam @ May 21st 2008 3:34PM]

Last time I checked, 3rd wasn't first.

[Jake E. @ May 21st 2008 3:35PM]

Went around town and was able to buy 12 before everyone was completely sold out and put them on ebay. Anyone interested? :)

[rndmnme @ May 21st 2008 3:48PM]

DIAF!


And no, I don't want one to begin with. I just think you're a dumb ass.

[FreeRange @ May 21st 2008 3:50PM]

I was hoping you were kidding but I thought it prudent to check eBay and, sure enough, one is about to sell for just over $200.

[Mike10010100 @ May 21st 2008 7:42PM]

Everyone should have been able to get one. Look in the places you wouldn't expect. Best Buy and Circuit City are sold out, but 5 hours after opening, Sam's Club still had plenty.

Man, people are sheep for this ebay stuff.

[Nate @ May 21st 2008 3:36PM]

I own the Wii Fit, but I'm a skeptic.

After watching my wife use this thing last night, it's apparent to me that the software is seriously lacking.

1. You have to use a Wiimote to do anything menu driven. You're constantly shifting between using the board and using the remote. They should have incorporated the menu system into shifting on the board.

2. You can't setup a full routine. The main problem with this is related to all of the button pushing necessary to get anything done. Last night, my wife was on that board for an hour. Literally, half of that time was spent digging through the menus and pushing buttons. There are far too many breaks, battling the software, necessary for this thing to be truly useful.

Basically, the pacing of a workout is way too slow.

They need to get a new version of the software, pronto, or this thing's dead in the water. You need to be able to turn the thing on, pick a routine, and go. As it stands, there is no routine. It's just a bunch of singular exercises that you need to choose and load, one by one.

[Ryan Block @ May 21st 2008 3:40PM]

Sounds like we're on the same page. The hardware's there, but the software needs to be absurdly accommodating, otherwise it's going to just collect dust.

[Brad Linder @ May 21st 2008 3:57PM]

This is all kind of making me want to get DDR for the PS2 back from the friend I loaned it to months ago. Seems like a much better way to burn a few calories while gaming.

[Nate @ May 21st 2008 4:45PM]

You may be on to something there. DDR can be one hell of a workout.

[Omen_20 @ May 21st 2008 6:06PM]

Honestly this is where Sony's Eyetoy or PLAYSTATION Eye as theyre call it now has an advantage, you do the menus with ur hands. The soccer game is also a rip off of an Eyetoy minigame as well.

I think Nintendo has the marketing and the crowd for this type of application but I think Sony has the software and probably the hardware for it. A perfect workout application for a game console would include software thats downloadable so to be quickly launched. It would include a camera for certain activities and Sony has years of research into that. It would maybe include hardware like the board Nintendo uses for something like yoga or pilates. It would have the option of being networked so incase you want to see where u stack up on a certain activity against friends or the world. I dont see women being too hot for that lol but young boys might want to compete at pushups or something. It would also need the ability to stack routines and develop a workout that loads one time and transitions quickly. I envision it like editing a movie where you move or copy workouts and put them in order with transition times being set by the user. The wiimote or PSEye would both be good at this I think. Then over time you could increase your workout and once a week or month the game could test your max at different activities so to see your progress.

[Barrowman @ May 21st 2008 6:11PM]

I completely agree, with your comments, bloody ridiculous always having to pick up the remote to push A.

You should definitely be able to do a workout of a number of exercises in one go, rather than have the 2/3min rest of choosing another.

And for me even more annoying is not being able to play against someone, I want to play the balance games against a friend, I don't want to go back to plaza and then reconfigure everything for my weight, so I can see if I can jump further than him on the ski jump.

Wii Fit is an awesome idea that has been very badly implemented. Here's hoping the likes of Nike make a software title soon :-)

[geekmorgan @ May 22nd 2008 1:01PM]

I Completely agree, last night I was excited that I had stuck with it for over an hour, but my excercise time was only half of that. Making a playlist of things to do would be a great idea, and playing music off of the SD card would be simple as well.

[alexmueller @ May 21st 2008 3:36PM]

Not first, in order to avoid the embarrassment of claiming to be first, when you are actually not first, don't start your comment with first comment.

[Jake E. @ May 21st 2008 3:37PM]

epic... epic fail.

[Frankenstein Black @ May 21st 2008 3:40PM]

Don't call me Ryan, er Norman, call me Chubsy-Ubsy!
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pis&GRid=9274&PIgrid=9274&PIcrid=80729&PIpi=193277&
http://www.allmovie.com/cg/avg.dll?p=avg&sql=2:12266
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_%22Chubby%22_Chaney

[Jake E. @ May 21st 2008 3:45PM]

wtf?...

[Alan @ May 21st 2008 3:58PM]

So... are you like drunk or somethng?

[Kip HT @ May 21st 2008 8:17PM]

I think that he is inferring that Ryan is fat... Or something.

[dwr50 @ May 21st 2008 4:08PM]

I got mine at 12:01 from my local 24 hr Walmart. Went home put 4 AA's on charge and went to bed. This morning after my walk I hooked everything up and spent a hour with the Wii fit. I like the balance games the best.

[kastonie @ May 21st 2008 4:33PM]

why didn't you just use the batteries that came in the box?

[Ignatius @ May 21st 2008 6:41PM]

Alkaline batteries suck, that's why.

[Ogre @ May 21st 2008 3:47PM]

If you actually want to work out why not take the $90 for Wii Fit and buy 2 months at a gym? You'll see better results, faster.

Barring that go on eBay and find a copy of Track and Field and a Nintendo Power Pad. You'll shed pounds trying to take the 100m dash, it was IMPOSSIBLE.

[huh @ May 21st 2008 3:52PM]

> If you actually want to work out why not take the $90 for Wii Fit and buy 2 months at a gym? You'll see better results, faster.

it's called "Fear of public humiliation." For me, at least.

Personally I want to check out Wii Fit as a precursor to more effective systems. And I believe any amount of exercise is better than none. But it does sound like it needs better software.

[Bigkountry @ May 21st 2008 3:58PM]

I agree. To me its a joke. I don't understand how people think that they will get in great shape using Wii Fit. I agree that it is at least getting you up off of the couch, but it is in no way a good substitute for a healthy diet and exercise plan. Oh and if you absolutely have to play a game to burn calories, play DDR on Hard or above. You'll burn plenty of calories.

[huh @ May 21st 2008 4:13PM]

Bigkountry, DDR is a nice idea, but every version I've seen is aimed directly at the hardcore DDR enthusiast. There's no version aimed at beginner or, y'know, people who don't have a lot of experience dancing to high BPM games. That's why you read stories about out of shape and senior people playing Wii games, but not DDR. A shame, really, a DDR mat could be a good way to get more people into dancing and being more fit. But like clothes for skinny women, they've identified their most profitable market and are aiming exclusively at it.

[Brad @ May 21st 2008 4:27PM]

Pfft. Everyone knows how to beat Track and Field: Keep the balls of your feet on the ground and tap the pad with your heels. Cheetah is no match for this method.

[TavisJohn @ May 21st 2008 4:44PM]

I just sold my Track & Field with a Powerpad this weekend. I tried it out and yes it works... But I hurt my ankle in the process of testing it...

I'll probably get a WiiFit in a month or 2. After the "New Wii Gadget" fase has passed.
I may even wait longer to see if any other titles will be comming up for the ballance board.

[Icelander @ May 22nd 2008 8:50AM]

A gym would work. If I wanted to also buy gym clothes, which I don't have, and wanted to carve out an hour of my day between 8AM and 9PM, which I can't and wanted to deal with neanderthals grunting and wanted to have sweaty gym equipment.

For people who have lives, you know, jobs and families, the Wii Fit is fantastic. The ability for me to get a workout in after I put my daughter to bed is wonderful, and making it a game and putting it in my living room will make me use it.

[toleraen @ May 22nd 2008 12:00PM]

I gotta agree with the time thing, too. I could either spend extra time (and gas) driving back and forth to the gym, or just work out in the comfort of my own home.

And you're all doing it wrong. Get down on the floor and just pound the powerpad sensors with your hands like you're playing a hand drum. Automatic win.

[Nick @ May 21st 2008 3:52PM]

Quick word of advice to anyone who workouts and loves gadgets and logging stuff (practically everyone here, duh): Try gyminee.com . Awesome website for logging nutrition, workouts, getting workouts, joining like minded physical group...If you happen to have an iPhone, you can log workouts as you do them and check out videos of excercises you're interesed it. Awesome website period. If you happen to like it, add me. My gymbuddy name is "SonOfKrypton". Later.

[The Sound @ May 21st 2008 4:06PM]

Woah, normally I would think it as a spam thing, but that's just the thing I've been looking for. Thanks!

[Dave @ May 21st 2008 4:40PM]

Traineo.com is about the same thing. I (username: aeromat) use it all the time and I dig it.

Hoping to get me hands on a Wii Fit soon. Unlikely, but I'd like one. In the meantime, it's back to losing the weight--I'm down almost 65 lbs.--the old fashioned way: eating less, moving more.

*sigh*

[Jonathan Sundy @ May 21st 2008 4:59PM]

Personally I've been using SparkPeople to track my fitness and nutrition. Their exercise tracking is just ok, but they have a lot of suggested exercises you can do at home with minimal equipment if any.

More importantly their nutrition and fitness writers seem knowledgable and pen some really informative articles that feel correct.

Thanks for the other site though I'm gonna check it out.

[nate @ May 21st 2008 5:03PM]

at first-read i thought you meant you were down to 65lb, which obviously would not be a healthy weight for anything but a small child. after reading it through a second time, however, i congratulate you on your loss. (congratulating a loss seems a little odd too, don't you think?)

[Low Ranked @ May 21st 2008 6:49PM]

That site is exactly what I've been looking for, thanks!

[kastonie @ May 21st 2008 4:18PM]

since this is his first comment, i guess he has the right to say first comment. But, its not hte first comment on the thread. Jonathan, i guess for future reference dont say first comment on any weblogs site unless you are the first comment on the thread.

But again, you are right as this is your first comment on engadget ever.

[Kunal @ May 21st 2008 4:28PM]

Did anyone else besides me buy Wii Fit because they thought the balance board was a sweet idea? I'm curious to see what they're able to do with it in the future, and in the meantime, the Wii Fit balance games should be a fun use of the device (I hope).
I think Nintendo will get their act together regarding the Wii Fit software, from what everyone's been saying it's a bit heavy-handed. If they don't, maybe some enterprising hackers can devise a better system for us...

[Nate @ May 21st 2008 5:39PM]

If Nintendo doesn't come out with a better version of the software, I would suspect the third parties will pick up the slack.

I'm not that worried about it. I get the feeling enough of these are going to be sold to support future titles.

[Mars @ May 21st 2008 4:41PM]

Having a bit of a personality disorder and thinking you're actually multiple individuals? I get the "We" talk for blogs in that it makes the opinion expressed seem to have more weight (no pun intended) but in this case it's plain silly.

Markus

[nate @ May 21st 2008 5:05PM]

perhaps his wife is participating with him...?

[spellprince @ May 21st 2008 4:44PM]

wow, people already complaining about having to actually exercise. loul "i'll just sit down and have a twinkie til a better game comes out" fffff

[Ignatius @ May 21st 2008 7:25PM]

What, did you fatfinger half the keys on your keyboard while typing that too?

[bobbysteele @ May 21st 2008 4:56PM]

I just picked mine up and can't wait to crack i open.

Let's get real though... I don't expect the Wii fit to get me the six pack i've always wanted, but I see it as a tool that will put me in the right direction. =)

[Brad @ May 21st 2008 6:52PM]

I don't think the point of Wii Fit is to replace or even try to replicate a "real" workout. But with so many people (myself included a lot of days) being virtually sedentary, it's just a fun idea and a way to get people up off the couch.

And, of course, it expands the Wii appeal just a little more. I'm going to agree with what Kunal said up above - the board is a sweet idea. Think of the potential for future skate/snowboard games, for one. And there is We Ski that just came out last week.

I know I'm looking forward to mine arriving at my door next week.


Speaking of which, I was stalking the Best Buy website at midnight (central time) and eventually, shortly before 1AM it was available. I bought mine, free shipping. But when I checked again at 1:30 AM? SOLD OUT. Now, THAT is impressive. An online sellout in the middle of the night.

[OneLove @ May 21st 2008 4:51PM]

Ryans future:
http://www.mdig.com.br/imagens/diversos/1798.jpg

[richard @ May 21st 2008 4:58PM]

Sounds like it's not particularly user friendly the software. If you are serious about the exercise it may be better to pickup a copy of the old Yourself!Fitness for the the Xbox, PS2 or PC. Once the workout starts there's little use of the controller. It doesn't have feedback from anything like a balance board but the exercises will make use of some specific equipment if you have them.