Can the Wii Fit get you in Shape?
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Can the Wii Fit get you in Shape?

John Smith
| March 23, 2020 Last Updated 2020-03-23T16:44:04Z


You may have heard about the arrival of home-based exercise video games and wondered how and if they really work. Designed by Nintendo, the Wii Fit is an exercise video game for the Wii game console that comes with a Wii balance board peripheral used for several activities in the game. This peripheral board is not mobile but tracks the user’s movements by determining their centre of balance. The games feature activities such as strength training, aerobics, balance games and yoga. These popular exercises have finally been incorporated into video games due to the advancements in technology and the huge market base for video games. With up to 48 activities in this game, Wii Fit has managed to make exercising easier, more fun and tech-friendly which is quite necessary in this day and age.

How does the Wii Fit work to get you in shape?

When setting up for the first time, the game requires you to create a “Mii” avatar that mimics your facial features and body type using a “wiimote”. A player then enters their date of birth, height, gender and steps onto the balance board to get their weight. The player then receives a notification of their weight, body mass index and a calculated Wii Fit age. Once done setting up, a player can start their fitness journey with Wii Fit. The player can now interact with Wii exercise games in different categories such as aerobic games, balance games, yoga and strength training. This article will look at each category and how they can get you in shape.

The games personal trainer will walk you through demos for each exercise before leading you through the actual exercise. The hands on trainer will even tell you to get back on in case you fall off or step off the board mid exercise. The game also records your consistency of playing and will give the player a report about it. By giving high scores in each game it enables players keep record of their progress. Trying to improve these high scores builds consistency. The game keeps pulling players back and builds a consistency and persistence that is necessary for exercise getting them in shape the more they play. The trainer also offers encouragement and motivation by using phrases such as, “Good job” and “You’re strong”.

Balance games and fitness

In this game category balance is key. Some of the included balance games include a ski jump, tight rope walking, a table tilt, soccer “heading” and a ski slalom run. This part of the game is a big hit with kids and is popular at social gatherings. Wii Fit activities are mostly directed to work out the core while giving an almost realistic experience of the workout from the comfort of your living room. It is argued that balance does not reflect fitness despite this game being centred on balance. However, balance is an important skill in any sport and shouldn’t be overlooked. This being a game with Japanese origin, it values balance just as most of their sports do.

Can the Aerobic games category get you in shape

Aerobic exercises are well known for their efficiency in getting people in shape. This bit of the game starts with activities that require low level cardio activity such as a basic step on and off the board, hula hooping or jogging in place with the “wiimote” in your pocket. This bit of the game starts easy and encourages players to put more repetitions in. Just like with a personal trainer or a gym trainer, beginners start off with light exercises and over time progressively move to higher level activity and more demanding exercises with higher repetitions. Just like with balance games the game keeps record of the player’s progress and scores their performance. A player striving to beat their own high score will inadvertently end up doing more reps and working out in the process.

Wii Fit Yoga

This part of the game gives a player options such as the tree pose, deep breathing, the warrior pose or a half moon. This part of the game comes with a really impressive biofeedback mechanism that takes note of your steadiness with each pose and proper weight distribution. This helps the game ensure the player is doing the correct thing to ensure maximum gains. People are usually sceptical about starting yoga but this game makes it simple and easy.

Wii Fit Strength training

The Strength training category comes with activities such as lunges, jack-knifes, torso twists, single leg extensions, push ups and side planks. The only downside to this category is that the board cannot determine or tell you if you are doing the exercises correctly. It can only tell when you touch it and in doing so only count your repetitions and offer suggestions. These strength exercises are however more physical and can get you in shape quicker. They require more energy and exertion but Wii Fits interactive technology makes it more fun and exciting to keep the player going.

Will you get in shape?

Yes, the Wii Fit can get you in better shape. Wii Fit, just like a real personal trainer keeps track of your progress and gives a lot of motivation and positive feedback. Like regular exercising, you can only get in shape if you stick to a regular exercising routine. This game is enticing and addictive and has been proven to make people who wouldn’t initially want to work out consistent in their exercise. Regular play will improve your fitness level while making it fun and exciting. The games scoring system makes players want to be better and tis pushes them to keep playing, thus exercising. However, too much play can also be dangerous. It has been reported that some people have sustained repetitive strain injuries due to prolonged play. This has even been named Wii-itis. Moderation in play is thus necessary to avoid injury.

Conclusion

Video games have often been blamed for poor lifestyles and unfitness as they encourage long sitting hours and little physical activity. This game is an almost perfect incorporation of a fun lifestyle of video games with fitness. With the consistency and a constant quest for improvement it bring out in players, this game could be your personal home trainer and push you to a better level of fitness. The Wii Fit if used correctly and regularly could be a lifestyle changer as it people to get in shape from the comfort of their homes. Why not take advantage of this technology to get you in shape?
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