Fitness guru prepares to launch Wii Fit class-action suit, radio show
By Laura June 
posted Feb 12th 2009 2:03PM
posted Feb 12th 2009 2:03PM
Well, this was probably bound to happen. A fitness "expert" named Michael Torchia says he's now preparing a class-action suit against NIntendo which will apparently seek to remove its Wii Fit from the shelves unless they add warnings to the product. The offense? Torchia claims that the Wii Fit actually contributes to obesity, essentially because it claims to be something that it's really not -- namely, a fitness tool -- and discourages people from doing more traditional exercise. He also, however, seems to be concerned that the Wii Fit is dangerous -- mostly because it doesn't stress warming up enough, and users can do the exercises wrong, straining or injuring themselves. Now, we're not going to delve into the validity of his claims (though, how do you explain this dude? Just saying), but we should note that Torchia is apparently getting ready to launch his airwave-rocking AM radio show, "Shape Up, America," and we figure he's looking to drum up some buzz for himself, so we'll be watching to see if he ever actually brings his suit against old Mario and Sons. Step on.
[Via Joystiq]
[Via Joystiq]
It's idiots like this that the US court system is jammed up. Why doesn't he sue the whole food industry for not putting labels on everything because you can choke on anything? How about suing construction workers for not putting warning labels on stairs because you fall down them?
I agree completely. I don't think this is what "Don't hate the player, hate the game" was supposed to imply.
Looks like someone's trying to make money off of Nintendo again.
I like how he says it isn't a workout but you need to warm-up more before doing it.
Hey, Michael Torchia, here's a workout for you...go F$&# yourself!!
Why work when you can sue :)
Exactly:
I'll sue ya, I'll get all your money! I'll sue ya, even if you look at me funny!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eu-6IppcvRo
In my book fitness and weight are separate. There are people who are much fatter than me who are a lot fitter than I am. I'd say Wii Fit does actually do more for improving fitness than it does for losing weight.
I wonder how many people who have Wii Fit have would've done "real" exercise if not for Wii Fit or have given up real exercise in place of Wii Fit...i'll take a guess at 3. If Wii Fit wasn't available then those who use it and don't do real exercise more than likely wouldn't do any exercise at all.
^Truth.
If Nintendo wanted to make a Wii Diet, they could just have a giant Piranha Plant you set up in your kitchen that spews sludge at you every time you go in there looking for soda and Chips Ahoy.
Yes, I'm clearly too lazy to google it but whatever happened to Ryan Block's personal Wii Fit challenge thing? You guys still see him all the time -- is he skinny as a rail or what?
Wii Fit actully does encourage more exersize. There is an option to input how much you do. You get thios option every time you start a session. Sounds like this guy has never even tried using the software.
He should also sue all those diet pills and work out equipment I see on TV that will make me a body builder. Wii Fit isn't a full work out, but it's better then someone sitting on the couch doing nothing. I wish I could find a company to sue to make up for my losses as a person.
I got 342 spins, 39... pfffft
Anyone with a last name that sounds like a Pokemon should probably NOT sue Nintendo.
And... he thinks he can 'show' proper technique on the radio? WhiskeyTangoHELL!
I'll never understand why the Clerk of the Courts cannot do their own litmus test and laugh these morons out of the courts before the papers even get signed. Wii FIT is a GAME that does require movement - thats all the heck it is! AND - if REAL workout centers and fitness clubs are using it (and they are) - then it does rise to the LIGIT...
I know that I won't be listening to his move and dance routine on the radio - I might shoot Nerfs at him if I ever recoginze him on the tele
~ Ghost!
what an idiot
What really gets me is...how can he claim that it's NOT exercise AND claim that it doesn't stress warming up enough?! Nobody is suing Bungie for not warning about stretching your thumbs prior to playing...
The Wii fit might be a good place to start for someone who has never done exercise in their life. However, it is a terrible substitute for actually getting out to the gym and doing cardio/lifting weights.
I agree that the Wii Fit isn't traditional or even a proper way of getting into shape, but a law suit is not really the right way to go about this. A lawsuit is a waste of everyone's money for something so little in return (aside from money I suppose).
I do think Nintendo should be more wary of how it markets this product though, because it definitely won't get people outside running like we mammals should be doing. It is helpful and a fun way to go about exercise in your home, and I very much agree with it being used in nursing homes and with medical implications.
Class-action suit? I still don't believe this product exists. I've never seen it anywhere.
This guy is a tool. A lawyer who was probably laid off because of the recession is looking for work and entertained a really dumb thought and decided to bring the lawsuit... I hope they slap the attorney with a frivolous lawsuit claim so he has to fight to keep his law license. On top of that, I hope someone sues the tool for his stupid weight management pills.
Tool ---> http://www.operationfitness.com/aboutmichael.html
"Michael Torchia, has retained a prominent law firm in Beverly Hills".... yes, so prominent that their name cannot be spoken.
Contact details are available on that site...of course I don't condone abusive messages to him saying what a complete and utter pillock he is...ahem
I sent mike an email, on his website. It was polite and had some good points thrown in. Like, "does a bike have a warning? how about a pool?", stuff like that. He is a tool, and no i don't own a single Nintedo product.
I lost 70 pounds over the course of 7 months using Wii Fit as my sole means of exercise.
So, this guy can suck it.
Nintendo admitted since the very first day that wii-fit is not suitable for fitness but it was Nintendo Japan, and Nintendo Japan works differently and in a different agenda to Nintendo of America.
I've lost 15 pounds in just over a month since I got the Wii Fit, so it certainly hasn't contributed to my obesity.
I bought the Wii Fit because of its exercise claims (I'm not remotely a gamer) and I used it once. It may work for some people, which is great, but it's not about real cardio or strength training. Luckily, Craigslist exists and I had about 20 people in 5 minutes wanting to take it off my hands before Christmas.
Suing is absurd, but I do think it's good to get the information out there that it's not really an efficient way to get fit. It's a scale with cool visual charts. If that helps motivate a person, terrific. But you're still going to have to get your heart rate up over 80% at some point.
this guy is definitely a douche. if you live in LA, he was on the kevin and bean show this morning on KROQ, and they gave him a pretty rough time. it will eventually be up on this page http://kroq-data.com/wah/wah/audio/defaultkbpodcast.aspx?a=&c=9&k= if you want to hear what a tool sounds like.
"wah/wah" in the HTML? Are you serious?
Can we sue this dweeb for pretending he has a life / brain?
in other words...I am gonna be out of a job because of Nintendo...lmao
uh oh, engadget better get ready. joe_sixpack is going call the feds on you for using a copyrighted image of the wii. that dude is batshit.
AM show? Har, har!
My thoughts exactly - I've just realized that I don't have a single device in my house capable of receiving AM radio! Ah well, who wants to hear him?
Between eating LeanCuisine's for lunch during the work-week and Wii Fit during the week too...My wife has lost 16+ lbs from the "deadly combination" since November 20th..
I think she'd be willing to testify for Nintendo on her results...
Chris
16 lbs? 20? Heck, I've dropped 59 lbs (as of last night) since last July. And yes, the Wii Fit played a substantial role.
Wii Fit is good and all, it does help get people active, but there's no substitute for going to the gym or playing outside.
That said, this guy is a moron.
The thing I dont understand is nintendo doesnt even market wii fit as getting you in shape. all of nintendos ads for the game are just people playing the game.
This guy wont win because nintendo themselves arent marketing it that way.
Somebody needs a hug.
That screenshot reminds me of the last time I got "39 spins"... :[
I wonder what would happen if there was a Wii Yoga game, would all the yoga studios start a class action?
My co-worker with a Wii Fit lost 10 pounds and a dress size already and I've personally gotten a little more flexible and when from 18 to 24 push ups in the short time I've been using it (okay, so I'm out of shape, but my point is that Wii Fit works).
The lawsuit needs to be dismissed as frivolous. Not only can Wii Fit itself help you shape up, it also encourages you to do activities outside of the Wii Fit as you get stronger.
"users can do the exercises wrong, straining or injuring themselves"
This basically applies to any exercise video ever created. I guess the whole industry will have to be sued.
Genius.
So, reporting on this (and thus giving a dumbass the free publicity they were attempting to get with the lawsuit in the first place) is a good thing how?
Global Douchebag Club: You have a new spokesperson!
thats it, I am officially embarassed of the united states stupidity of america. WTF dudes. NO ONE EVER READS THE WARNING LABEL. Just slapping on a "warning" does not help you knuckle head stay safe. Gosh. What a douchebag, get lost and hide yourself in shame.
Ugh. Fitness Gurus. They're like vermin in your garage. Just shoo them away and get on with your life.
Holy crap. Nintendo is trying to do something unique and they're getting sued at every turn. I appreciate corporate responsibility, but it is impossible to prepare for the stupid things that end user idiots eventually do. Wii Fit is beneficial as a fitness aid. It encourages you to be active.
I guess the safest, healthiest thing for me to do is sit on my arse in front of a PS3?
I lost 60 pounds of fat last year (255 down to 195) and I attribute a large percentage of that success to Wii Fit. Fitness guru dude can suck it.
I also have lost about 55 lbs using wii fit, you can't blame people's motivation on nintendo, if you use it regularly you will lose weight especially if you do it as I do using handweights with the stepping exercises