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Personal trainer uses Wii for workouts
As anyone who's managed to get their hands on a Wii will no doubt have already discovered, it's relatively easy to work up a sweat and lose some pounds using Nintendo's little white box. Now, the real life activity that's required to succeed at virtual Wii Sports has been picked up on by a personal trainer from Glasgow, Scotland: Zander Urquhart found that kids and adults alike don't mind doing exercise when it's accompanied by on-screen actions by the player's Mii, and is using the Wii specifically as an exercise machine. Zander is apparently the first fitness expert to have seen the potential for the Wii in the field of personal training, but we have a strong feeling he won't be the last. Even if the idea doesn't catch on, we suspect he'll have a healthy stream of geeky customers coming into the gym as long as the Wii stock shortage continues to exist (which, judging by the sporadic shortages of the 10 month old DS Lite, could be some time yet). Be honest with us: have you lost any weight thanks to your Wii?[Via The Raw Feed. Image credit]
Motivatrix's MX9 Workout Master replaces aging stationary bike
Dance Dance Revolution has certainly helped pave the way for the health-conscious set to exercise whilst gaming, and even the Wii has sparked an outbreak of get-fit kids who endure hours of Wii Sports just to melt off those pounds, and now Motivatrix is hoping to get its exercise / gaming machine hybrid into your fitness room in place of that not-so-thrilling elliptical. The MX9 Workout Master mimics existing DDR systems in design, but it manages to feature a number of internal games inside to keep your workout sessions fresh. Additionally, the machine not only recognizes fancy footwork, but built-in sensors can understand arm flailing as well, and you can even "jam out to your own music" while breakin' a sweat. Most interesting, however, is the fact that its also an internet-enabled machine, meaning that exercise freaks across the land can compete against one another, giving even the least motivated individuals something to work for. No timetable was noted as to when we'd see these things hitting sporting goods sections, but until we get a crack at "Calorie Killer," we'll just stick with Simmer Down Sprinter.[Via CNET]
Wii Warm Up: Wii as exercise machine
The idea of using the Wii as a workout is becoming pretty common, but do you really think it will work? Can something as simple as Wii Sports transform the lifestyles of a generation of gamers? Well, no, probably not. But can the Wii provide the seed of motivation? A long session with the Wii remote can definitely inject a little energy into a sedentary lifestyle, but should it be the lynchpin of weight loss program? Or is the inspiration unimportant so long as people are getting on their feet?
Wii Weights could spark legions of Wii athletes
Sure, we know there's swarms of you out there who'd take a few hours in The Slim Machine instead of being forced to run around your block or pump some iron, but here's a relatively fair compromise. The Wii Weights prototype is nothing more than your average strap-on wrist weight coated in white and stamped with that (likely trademarked) Wii logo, but let's face it, if you've got to burn the calories, you're better off doing so whilst playing Wii Sports. Ideally, the weights would range from one to four pounds, and should do some serious sculpting on your array of arm muscles if you make it a habit to game with these on. So if shedding nine pounds over the holidays training as a Wii athlete just wasn't encouragement enough for you to participate, just imagine the additional pounds that'll vanish (and the muscles that'll surface) when adding these bad boys into the mix.[Via Crave]
Twist to fitness with $1700 hover-chair controller
We've all found ourselves thinking it at one time or another: "Sure, this game is fun, but it would be even better if I were twisting around in some ridiculous-looking seat hovering just above the ground." Luckily, Australian Simulation Control System's had the same though, and actually did something about it with their pending Dream Machine game controller contraption. The highly-adjustable Dream Machine uses a " multi modal central support crown" for "rotational and four way pan and tilt action" -- basically a fancy way of saying you can move yourself around by pushing on the handlebars. It's not exactly clear how the $1,700 contraption actually translates your body movements to on-screen actions, but the device's web site claims it's compatible with PC, Xbox and PlayStation games, and that the company is actively looking for companies to create specially-designed applications. Those with too much money and too few novelty controllers can look for it in March. [Via SciFi]
Wii Sports Experiment sheds nine pounds
While some folks are struggling just to stay out of the hospital when getting too amped up playing their Wii, Mickey DeLorenzo, a 25-year-old living in Philadelphia, decided to meld exercise and gaming together and further substantiate the most obvious research study of the year. His Wii Sports Experiment started in December of last year and ran for six whole weeks, and while he sought to keep his eating habits constant, he devoted 30 minutes per day to Wii Sports and monitored his weight, BMI, calories burned per session, body fat percentage, heart rate, and physical soreness. Mickey started out at 182 pounds, and after a month and a half of Wii workouts, whittled his weight down to 172 pounds, which he found quite amazing considering that this was the first substantial loss he had attained in over two years, and he never even cut back on the Eat 'N Park cookies (or similar). Moreover, according to The American Council on Exercise, he went from the "acceptable" category to the "fitness" category, and seemed to gain a huge boost of self-esteem in the process. So if the Subway diet just doesn't mesh with your taste buds, and you're desperate to find an excuse to game it up instead of going for a jog, be sure to hit the read link for all the encouragement you'd ever need, and click on through for a bit of footage from the entire process.[Via SMH]
Everybody's doing it: Wii workouts
We've run across a couple of bloggers taking on Wii Sports workout regimens and we must say that it does sound appealing. It's funny -- preWii, people were complaining about the potentially tiring effect of playing for hours, and now other people are looking to maximize that very effect. We must say that a few rounds of boxing or tennis are pretty nice after a long day at the computer. What's your take on it? Think that Wii Sports can have any effect on a gamer's physique?
Wii has health potential
New York Times columnist, David Pogue discusses the Wii's fitness potential in an online post. After witnessing his family burn calories while gaming, he thinks the Wii is one of the best possible indoor activities for kids. Pogue also has no sympathy for the "nerds who haven't moved their bodies in years" who claim muscle aches and broken furniture.We like this one-two punch from the mainstream press -- albeit, not in print -- exploring the health benefits of the system and dismissing the over-hyped Wii injuries. We look forward to fitness being a byproduct of active games like DDR; where's the Wii version of Samba De Amigo? Exercise games may have less appeal, but they may also work well; will we see Wiimote ankle holders to measure footwork?[Via digg]
WSJ concerned about Wii owner health
The Capitalist's Bible, also known as the Wall Street Journal, gives a backhanded compliment to the Wii today saying it gets people off the couch, but "is turning out to be more exercise than some players bargained for." The article explores how people are beginning to develop -- wait for it -- "Wii elbow." One after another the WSJ serves up another poor soul who has been exerted by the Wii-ness. For example, Ryan Mercer lifts weights during the week but Wii Sports' boxing is pwning him, "I was soaking wet with sweat, head to toe -- I had to go take a shower." The following morning he was so sore he had trouble getting his shirt on.Nintendo's name-dropping spokesperson Perrin Kaplan is quoted in the piece saying she hasn't received any complaints about soreness. Serving back WSJ's backhanded compliment she says, "It was not meant to be a Jenny Craig supplement ... if people are finding themselves sore, they may need to exercise more."So the answer is to train up before you Wii and you won't get sore, but please remember you can always play the Wii like a toolbox.
Gymkids busts out Step2Play, frustrates lazy children
While it's no surprise that children are gaining weight at an alarming rate these days, there's always the Dance Dance Revolution workout or the entirely more evil MealpayPlus route, but now Gymplay is offering up a fitness-based middleman to keep kids' heart rates up while gaming away. Crafted solely for Sony's now antiquated PlayStation console, the appendage acts as a liaison between the controller and your system, requiring the child (or adult, actually) to continually exercise at an "adjustable rate" determined by the lieutenant parent in charge. The Step2Play will only allow the controller to function if the youngster onboard is keeping those paddles moving at a satisfactory pace, and supposedly targets the "calf and leg muscles" -- but we can envision a good bit of hostility being created when little Johnny finds this accessory waiting under the tree. Although we can't imagine any sane child enjoying this torment as much as the (presumably staged) children are in the photo above, you can give your offspring the gift of motivation for a staggering £115 ($218).[Via Uber-Review]
Sony packs pedometers into upcoming Network Walkmen
Watch out Apple and Nike, because Sony's got a new set of Network Walkmen waiting in the wings that pack a pedometer right into the players themselves, eliminating the need for a separate kit and expensive pair of sneakers. Although it doesn't sound like the cigar-shaped, 2GB NW-S205F and 1GB NW-S203F will offer the same online experience as you'd find at the Nikeplus website, you're still getting calorie, step, and distance counter functionality right out of the box, along with a stopwatch and FM tuner -- plus an armband to keep everything secure. The nano still holds the edge in screen quality -- and capacity, obviously -- as the new Sonys sport but a one-line OLED display. Pricing here is pretty attractive, with the black S205F and silver S203F going for $150 and $120, respectively, when they hit stores in either September or October.
Use the Nike + iPod Sport Kit on any shoe with help from a Nike accessory
Now don't think we're just trying to pimp Nike's stuff here because we're getting hookups or something (we have to run out and buy our own kits like anyone else), but TUAW reader Mr. Gaskell recommended a tip that could allow you to use the new iPod Sport Kit with any shoes, without the need for awkward lace tying or unsightly duct tape: Nike makes a small wallet accessory (pictured) called 'Nike Run Shoe Wallet S05' for $10 that attaches to the top of any shoe. It's designed to hold small personal items for a run, such as change, but (as I remember) it's too small even for something like a driver's license, but it should be a perfect fit for the shoe sensor. I'd link to it, but I can't find it anywhere at the Niketown site; I've only seen it in a brick and mortar Niketown store. I'm sure they're also available elsewhere on the web, such as eBay or in similar forms from competitors. I have no idea if the kit is still accurate when attaching it with an accessory like this, but we're receiving reports that people are having success with jury-rigging the sensor to their shoes with the aforementioned unique lace tying and duct taping techniques; using something like this wallet doesn't sound like your results should be any different. Any readers out there try this yet?
All your workouts are belong to Nikeplus
We're not sure how a one-sentence support document made it into Apple's support knowledgebase, but this strange doc somehow snuck past the velvet rope. It simply states: "There is no way to remove workout data from the nikeplus website", with a 'stay tuned for more info' bit at the end to finish off what is probably the shortest support document we have ever seen. Getting to the topic, however: it seems just a bit strange that there is no way to remove workout information from this supposedly revolutionary new service/iPod accessory. It's not like we're suddenly terrified about Nike's trampling of user privacy, but we wouldn't be surprised if a few tin foil hat fashion aficionados raised at least some sort of a flag over this.
Apple patents workout music matching
It seems that Apple may have plans for incorporating the iPod into your workout other than just the integration with Nike sneakers, as a newly released patent shows that the company has invented a method of adjusting the pace and style of music playback while you exercise. Incorporated into a model called the iPod Sport, perhaps, this technology would use an accelerometer to gauge the pace of a person's workout, and encourage them to "take it to the max" by either increasing the tempo of a particular song (though hopefully not to the point where all your tunes sound like Alvin and the Chipmunks) or automatically changing to a faster-paced track. This is all well and good, but how about throwing in some Bluetooth while you're at it, cause the wire dangling from that runner's head in the illustration has got to go.[Via Unwired View]
Cheesesteaks vs. PlayStation showdown
Will frequent use of the PlayStation EyeToy:Kinetic game chisel my formless flab (left) into a sleek, muscular, body-ideal (right)? Following our poll that asked readers to rank themselves on a scale of skinny to obese, I'm conducting an experiment to assess the potential for games to have a positive influence on a gamer's health. I'll be using an EyeToy: Kinetic for the PlayStation 2. The marketing hype for the product promises a "Body by PlayStation" via a "full-body fitness program like no other." I'm testing that premise with a $500 wager. Read on for details.
