Nintendo's Physical Fitness Video Game: Wii Fit
Unique Exercise Opportunities Using the TV
Dec 3, 2008
Wii Fit is like no other video game you've played before.
It uses the Balance Board, which functions as a scale and also as a pressure sensitive exercise device, wirelessly connecting to the Nintendo Wii system. It allows the game to sense the player's position as they run in place and balance during yoga poses.
Every day the player can load the game and get their body's "age." The game takes into account the player's chronological age, weight, and progress on certain balance tests to estimate the body's real age. By practicing with Wii Fit regularly, the player should see their age decrease, maybe even to an age that's under their actual age.
Wii Fit contains four modes of exercise. Most are done using the pressure sensitive balance board or the motion-sensing Wii-Mote. Each activity is one-two minutes, so the player can pick and choose which activities to do, and how long the player wants to work out.
Modes of Exercise
- Yoga - A series of real yoga poses, including Sun Salutation and Downward-Facing Dog.
- Strength Training - Push-ups, stretches, ab exercises, to name a few.
- Aerobics - Running and dancing exercises, such as running in place while your Mii takes a scenic run through the park.
- Balance Games - Activities such as skiing, walking a tightrope, and snowboarding.
Video Game Customization
If the player hasn't already created a Mii on the Wii, they should do so before playing Wii Fit. Miis are custom avatars. They can be customized as to hair color and style, face shape, eye color, and much more. Miis make appearances in certain games, and in Wii Fit the player choose your Mii as their profile.
The Mii's body shape represents the player's own. The Balance Board measures weight, and the player enters their own height, so that the game can calculate their BMI, or Body Mass Index. As weight is lost, the Mii gets thinner as well. During certain exercises the other Miis on the system will stand by cheering the player on, so it is fun to make some Miis for family members and friends so they can be seen in-game.
Exercise Progress Graphs
Wii Fit keeps track of a player's weight, BMI, age, and activity level over time. The game contains graphs so the player can look back to see their progress as you keep using the game. The more the game is played, the more features get unlocked. There will be new activities to perform, so the player has little mini-goals to work toward.
As with any exercise program, one's success depends on how well they keep up with it. Even if a player doesn't want to lose weight, the game can help them gain strength and improve flexibility. Or They can do some yoga to relax after work. Wii Fit isn't a magical weight loss device, but it is a new twist on keeping fit.
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