Wii Fit already carving up bods, finding use in rehabilitation

From the get-go, Nintendo's latest console was seen as a dream come true for folks who'd love to lose a few pounds, yet would rather log a few hours on the couch rather than the track. Shortly after the Wii Fit's launch, we're already seeing another wave of dedicated users reporting weight loss, and the trend is even bleeding into the medical field. According to Sue Stanley-Green, a professor of athletic training at Florida Southern College, the Wii Fit and other fitness-related games have "great potential for core strengthening and rehabilitation and may boost compliance with rehabilitation exercises." She also noted that these games were "being used more and more in nursing homes," and particularly with youngsters, titles such as Wii Fit are the only ones that stand a chance at getting them active. We can't decide if that's a positive thing or just downright depressing.

[Thanks, Juergen]

Read - Wii Fit in rehab
Read - Wii Fit weight loss

[kingofwale @ Jun 15th 2008 2:43PM]

love the graph, love how the number just magically went down toward the end after a few days of not using.

Does this prove that NOT using Wiifit is actually a better exercising?

[Flashpoint @ Jun 15th 2008 3:31PM]

Wii fit sucks because it calculates your...
http://www.epinions.com/content_432766291588

[zach rattner @ Jun 15th 2008 6:14PM]

The slope of the line is more dramatically downward at earlier points in the graph. What's your point?

[Toropop @ Jun 15th 2008 7:08PM]

Please remember, too, that the weight reflected is being measured in kilograms, not pounds. It's always depressing to measure in kilos because the results aren't as visually dramatic as when measuring in pounds.

[Chan @ Jun 15th 2008 2:52PM]

My Wii fit told me that I was overweight, and I have made it my objective to make it tell me differently. >=(

[Ghen @ Jun 15th 2008 8:24PM]

So how far into the source code are you then? Find the calculation formulas yet?

[DefPo3t @ Jun 15th 2008 3:00PM]

I tried a wii fit at gamestop and and i broke it .... aperrently there is a wait limit i didnt know

[computer.dude.28 @ Jun 15th 2008 3:07PM]

Tell us how much you weigh and we'll tell you if you're over the limit ;)

[derX @ Jun 15th 2008 3:21PM]

I think the breaking of the Wii Fit is a good enough indicator.

[PostalRIT @ Jun 15th 2008 5:39PM]

How long did you have to weight before you used it?

[GoogleMyName @ Jun 15th 2008 3:19PM]

I've been using WiiFit for nearly a month now myself, and made a website tracking my progress www.imwiifit.com. It has worked, but it's gotten rather boring mainly because of how long it takes to switch between exercises. I will be honest when I say it hasn't put muscle on me, but it definitely has made me flexible again with the different yoga stretches and such, And I really enjoy using the graphs to track my progress, it really helps towards any weigh loss goals you may set.

[Daza @ Jun 15th 2008 10:55PM]

Why would WiiFit put muscle on you? It's mainly cardio based activities, you would need to do weight training to gain any muscle.

[Cal @ Jun 15th 2008 3:25PM]

I wonder how much steeper a similar graph would be for someone who does 30 mins of intense cardio a day combined with a clean, calorie deficient diet...

[azakreski @ Jun 15th 2008 7:23PM]

Apples to Oranges...

[derX @ Jun 15th 2008 3:25PM]

I don't see how this is depressing, it's a good thing. Excercising isn't something most people enjoy, if it were, there'd be a hell of a lot less overweight nonetheless obese people. A video game that can hold kids' attention while benefitting them physically is a wholly good thing.

I like the Wii because it proves that a game system doesn't have to have the most advanced this or that. It just needs to be a well-executed implementation of a good idea and that's what the Wii is.

[DragonTamer @ Jun 15th 2008 3:32PM]

It's depressing because it takes a game to get kids to loose weight. If we have gotten to the point where we have to play games to loose weight i think we need to rethink a few things...

[Unknown @ Jun 15th 2008 4:23PM]

I seriously disagree. If people actually play active games, they have a greater tendency to be more physically fit. Games are great exercise, and a great motivator. Certainly, the Wii Fit is on the low end of the beneficial scale, but if it gets people in the habit of associating fun with fitness, I can't see how that can be reasonably criticized.

[John @ Jun 16th 2008 12:33AM]

It's depressing that people aren't willing to just do the work. Nobody wants to be overweight. There may be people who are OK with it, but it's nothing that any (mentally competent) person wants. And yes, if you are gaining weight to try for a world record you are not mentally competent.

Exercise is delayed gratification. You do it, you keep doing it, and eventually you feel better, look better, are more capable... It's sad that people seem to lack the self control and patience for it and instead need the instant gratification of a video game with a by product of possibly making you more healthy.

[Michael @ Jun 16th 2008 1:59PM]

I'm with the OP on this one. It's not depressing that it takes a game to get people moving... it's taken games to get people moving for centuries. What do you call Basketball, Baseball, Football, Soccer/Futbol, Lacrosse, Tennis, etc? They are sports... sports are games. Games get people moving. Games get people excited about moving and keep them from being bored.

I, for one, welcome video games that encourage us to get moving. I think this should have come years ago. Even if it's simply something like the WiiFit, or if it's something large scale in gym's that encourage you to use the machines by playing a video game.

[shoe @ Jul 8th 2008 7:36PM]

not only should it not be knocked for "omg it's a video game that has to get people motivated?!!" but look at it from a serious perspective, this thing is like your personal trainer +++. it keeps track of your progress. it helps you learn to do things right. it's 1 on 1 training of sorts. and people are seeing real results which is fantastic!

the fact the it's being used in nursing homes and rehabilitation centers shows that it has a legitimate use. some people may not actually be able to get out and run or have a bike (or it being safe to do so where they live.) some people may have issues leaving their house. this helps bring healthy exercising to those whose access to traditional means is just not there.

[Jhongerkong @ Jun 15th 2008 3:27PM]

DDR is much better at weight loss imo. Playing at an arcade can burn 2000+ calories if you play alot and I don't think there's anything in Wii Fit comparable to the exercise you'd get in a 10 step song.

[GoogleMyName @ Jun 15th 2008 3:36PM]

JhongerKong I agree, I've been playing DDR off and on for over 8 years now and still it's the most addicting and fun way to lose weight without even noticing. Few Years ago I lost 50 lbs through DDR, Gained it back, Then Last year lost 30 lbs again through DDR, it truly is the best videogame for losing weight period, but Wii Fit trains more parts of your body and really isn't geared towards Fast Weight Loss like DDR is. DDR does cost more money over time, I can't even imagine how many machines I could of just bought rather then pumping quarters at the arcades, so Wii Fit appeals to a wider range of gamers.

[Yuri @ Jun 15th 2008 3:57PM]

Google - you can buy a metal arcade-like pad for whatever system or the computer. I have one.

Greatest active game ever. Though it does well for cardio, it doesn't do shit for flexibility, which would separate wii-fit from DDR. That and DDR wasn't made for exercise, it was just intended to be new and interesting.

[DefPo3t @ Jun 15th 2008 3:38PM]

actually i dont think that it was me that broke it as i only weigh 220 pounds .... now that i think about it there was this huge employee working that day D :!

[DefPo3t @ Jun 15th 2008 3:39PM]

the reply system works about as good as a drug addict in the mob

[phanbouy @ Jun 15th 2008 4:09PM]

"drug addict in the mob"???

[Astrostream @ Jun 15th 2008 3:50PM]

Apple.

[Kizorblade @ Jun 15th 2008 3:56PM]

Taste good. Plus, they're healthy, which is important when you want to lose weight.

[phanbouy @ Jun 15th 2008 4:08PM]

listen, the whole fruit recitation thing was funny yesterday, but now you're just boring

[broli @ Jun 15th 2008 3:57PM]

haha 2kg's

They actually made it look like that's a lot by stretching the scale.

I don't get how this will help exercising more, after a while you'll just end up lazy as with anything else you did to loose weight.

[matt247 @ Jun 15th 2008 4:07PM]

Anybody remember Yourself! Fitness? They're making a sequel for the next-gen consoles, hopefully they make it more interactive, like tracking your body fat percentage and add some sort of balance board for the 360.

[GoogleMyName @ Jun 15th 2008 4:24PM]

Yuri, I've actually had a hard pad for a couple years now that I used to use with my PC and PS2 through Stepmania and such, But to me I've always enjoyed playing DDR in an arcade cause I'm a big guy I need the real thing and I enjoy people watching.

Whomever mentioned Yourself Fitness, a lady friend of mine brought that game to my attention just recently, and I found it and was impressed by how much it can do, it's basically like setting up your own aerobics and workout program in your house. I'm glad to hear they are working on a next gen version of it.

Either way people need to realize whether you're a gamer or not, your personal health is still the most important thing in life. If you can't take control of your body, then you won't be in control of your life.

Great Quote I made and plagiarized off my own site www.imwiifit.com Check it out.

[huh @ Jun 15th 2008 4:12PM]

What I find really dull is the lack of tolerance people have for ways of being. No, it's invalid because you have to get on a track. No, it's invalid because you have to use weights. No, it's invalid because you have to use DDR. Anything that keeps people moving is good, and it's adding a whole new interesting dimension to health and fitness.

[phanbouy @ Jun 15th 2008 4:16PM]

zuh?

[atomicmelvin @ Jun 15th 2008 4:15PM]

Hey- Wii Fit is okay with me. It made my mom, who hasn't played a game since Space Invaders, buy a Wii. Baby steps.

[kansanpoker @ Jun 15th 2008 4:26PM]

wii fit is fine and all , i had the game since launch in the US , and i actual go to the gym 4 to 5 times a week , but i still need to change my late night eating habbits , like i wont eat much during the day but i eat alot at 9pm when i start getting hungry and then i go to bed by 10:30 pm , and i noticed in two day i gain 8 and half pounds , so im back to the weight i was before i started using wii fit or going to the gym , its really fustrating

[Mr. H @ Jun 15th 2008 4:26PM]

4 lb loss in a month? Why do people need a gimmick to exercise? If you want to lose weight enough, you'll go to the gym and lose it. This is just an excuse for people to feel better about themselves without actually doing real exercise.

[Michael @ Jun 16th 2008 1:50PM]

Oh, a gimmick... you mean like the gym? What's wrong with just walking, running, riding a bike, or playing a sport? You don't need a gym for any of those! (Unless you can't afford a used bike... but then again, I got mine for $30 on Craigslist and most gym memberships cost at least that per month!)

I mean seriously, what's with all this WiiFit hate? I don't see how it's any different than playing another, more acceptable game like Basketball, Football, or Baseball for fitness. Some people just need something fun to motivate them to get up and get moving. The WiiFit seems to me like a great way to do that.

So, to Engadget, it's not depressing that it takes a game to get people (kids and senior citizens) moving because that's what it's taken for years. Some people just don't like the repetitiveness of standard exercise and would rather enjoy something in the process.

For me, I've found that listening to an audiobook while I walk or run helps keep me entertained, but the WiiFit might be a great addition.

(For the record, I am a fat man. I have over 100 pounds to lose to hit my goal and am walking on a treadmill and riding my bike for exercise.)

[Jim Nichols @ Jun 15th 2008 4:33PM]

I have lost 7 pounds so far since getting the Wii Fit, however I am not doing much exercising. I'm sure I'd be losing more if were. The Wii Fit was a wake up call for me. I had not weighed myself in years and figured I was about 30 pounds overweight. Turns out I was 60 pounds overweight! I am now watching what & how much I eat. I just have to get myself doing more physical activity to shed the pounds quicker. And people say us vegetarians are always skinny!

[Richard Lai @ Jun 15th 2008 6:24PM]

Ryan, don't you pretend we've forgotten about your Wii Fit progress watch...

[Reader @ Jun 16th 2008 1:32AM]

Yeah there was like part 1 of that... then ?

[Kazabet @ Jun 15th 2008 7:23PM]

Apples to Oranges...

[andyg8180 @ Jun 16th 2008 10:19AM]

thats exactly what they ARNT eating lol

[LT73 @ Jun 15th 2008 11:11PM]

What can I tell you... As much as I knock Nintendo for being a kiddie's console, I cannot help but tip my hat to them for being true innovators. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if the Wii fit (or a more advanced version) becomes standard rehabilitation equipment. Sure, the concept is in it's infancy right now, but there's no telling where this might lead.

Cool stuff.

Well done Nintendo.

[Jhongerkong @ Jun 15th 2008 11:12PM]

No

[Jhongerkong @ Jun 16th 2008 2:58PM]

Ok, I think the comment I replied to got deleted. Although, now that its deleted, this comment makes me seem a little strange.

[wolf @ Jun 16th 2008 9:56AM]

cool, I am going to get one.... oh yeah I can't because there aren't any friggin' units sold anywhere. Thanks for the undersupply nintendo

[Isaac @ Jun 17th 2008 10:05AM]

Try Blockbuster, they usually have stock