Wii Fit: feelin' the burn (part 1)
By Ryan Block 
posted May 21st 2008 3:23PM
posted May 21st 2008 3:23PM
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.
Ryan kinda looks like he belongs in Kraftwerk.
He - is - show - room - dummy
You ain't right. :p
I guess if you have the physique of an alien or that of a danish roll then I could see how this would help. But, why not get a workout DVD or higher a trainer.
However, the balance board should be very fun for games that will take advantage of an extra input. I can see racing games, shooters, etc.
I look forward to games that will work with this. I just hope this doesn't end up more like a gimmick.
Am I the only person that thinks that guy need some new carpet. On the other hand I will probably be getting a Wii fit the first time I see it in stock while I am at the store.
You're posting on his article, tell him yourself.
Question: I don't feel like a 3 minute step work out is going to do much. Does anyone know if there is a way to change this to make it, say a 20 minute step workout? Thanks in advance!
I can't believe the price people will pay on eBay for the WiiFit--what a bunch of fucking morons....
Hey Fatties!
I got a deal for ya. Instead of paying all that moolah to Mario I can save you money. I'll send you some bricks and a piece of wood plus my instructional tape. I'll yell that you're off balance every once in awhile and tell you to do tai bo moves. It will be just like the Fit except with better background music.
No fatties were harmed in writing of this entry.
what a welcome from the commenting crowd of engadget!
Just so you know that sweating is somewhat over rated. Some people ca sweat buckets while working out and other people don't reach that point at all. The sweating does not mean you are burning more calories. If you get stronger using the device you will built muscle. Do more cardio outside of the fit system for a rounded approach.
Rob
Mind if I ask what your diet's like, Ryan?
As that wise man Robert Hutchins, the president of the University of Chicago long ago, said, "When I think about exercise, I lay down until the thought passes."
People argue that Wii Fit is bad because it's not effective enough, because you could exercise without it, because it doesn't cure cancer , but those critics are missing the point.
The point of this system is to MOTIVATE and GUIDE people to do fairly simple exercises in the privacy and comfort of their own homes.
The Wii Fit is NOT meant for exercise experts/enthusiasts.
The Wii Fit is NOT meant for hardcore gamers.
The Wii Fit is NOT going to undo junk food/smoking/drinking/couch potatoe-ry.
The Wii Fit IS meant for those who live reasonably healthy lifestyles except they don't have the time to go to the gym and don't like doing the same exercise over and over.
I'm not saying Wii Fit is the best thing since sliced bread, and I agree that a routine system would be nice, but features like playing your own music is very subjective because some people (like myself) prefer the calm and appropriate music provided by Wii Fit.
As someone recently posted, sweating /= losing weight. Muscle weighs much more than fat, so if you do lots of muscle exercises you might even GAIN weight, but your body will feel much tighter and less flabby.
Personally, I've bought it for 2 weeks now, I've exercised about 40 minutes a day doing a range of exercises that keep me active, entertained and feeling better than.
- I have a reasonably healthy lifestyle (no bad habits, eat fairly healthy)
- I don't get home from work until 7pm
- The gym would cost me at least $80/month
- I have a reasonably roomy lounge (recent graduate, living with parents)
It's worked well for me, I enjoy the way the system leads me through my exercises (so I know I'm not hurting myself) and I can keep track of my progress with my (slightly chubby) Mii character. I've lost about 1kg in the past week or so, but that's because my arm and leg muscles are no longer as flabby.
In conclusion, Wii Fit is novel, it's aimed at the time-poor money-abundant crowd, it's sensible and not over-the-top, and it has enough variety to keep me interested for at least a 3-6 months.
It could be better, yes, but for what it does and how it does it, I'm fairly satisfied and I feel my money is well spent.
I hope my perspective has been helpful.
I picked up a wii fit, but not for the workout as I already run six miles everyday. I will mainly use it for the yoga exercises to improve my flexibility. I did pickup the "We Ski" game, which works with the wii fit, it's a lot of fun and adds a new level of interactivity when using the board. I am really looking forward to a surfing game, this board just screams a good surfing game.
I gotta say that WiiFit, despite its obvious flaws (setting up a workout routine mostly) definitely works as encouragement, if anything, to start burning those calories.
I have a gym membership and usually can only manage to get there once a week, twice if I'm lucky, but with the WiiFit I've been able to get a quick hour session done every morning before work and lost 4 lbs ( from 11st 4lbs -> 11st ) since the uk release.
The yoga poses are actually a great stretch routine to start off the workout that I would never, EVER attempt while actually at the gym.
I think what most people are forgeting is that this is still nothing more than a game. Yes it has a workout with it and it has the word fit in it, but Its a game none the less. It is I think a good idea, so that some people will start to use a game to work out that normally wouldn't. Remember all the stories about overweight teenagers and college kids that lost weight doing those dance party games at the arcades. Its something that gets the blood flowing and heart rate up and pretty soon after doing that for a period of time people will lose weight. Thats what this game is really about. There is no way anyone really expected to use this game and have Governor Arnold's (i cant spell his last name) ripped muscles from back when he competed in Mr. Universe. This is just to help some that do nothing but gaming get some sort of exercise. I own a WII and my wife wants the WII fit GAME and I have one to give to her for her birthday next month, but in all honesty anyone who was expecting this to be the ultimate workout experience hed thier hopes too inflated. Again this is a great thing to help the beginers and the "lazy" people (I am not trying to insult anyone), but anyone wanting an actual fitness plan needs to go to the gym and put the sodas, and junk food down. I do wonder about any negative comments written about this game. I wonder what snack food that person was eating when they wrote it. like if its a candy bar king sized with a 2 litter Mountain Dew, then no wonder it doesnt seem to work. If someone takes that approach then nothing will wirk. But those are just my thoughts. To all that own the game enjoy it, games are meant to be fun.
I got one of these yesterday (the very last one at the store) and tried it out last night. Man, it's cool. Well worth the price. To think I haven't touched my Wii in months and now it'll get a workout.