<p>For the past 19 years, we avoided buying Nintendo or similar video game equipment for our D. Last week, she texted that she wanted a Wii Fit becuase she used it at a friend’s house and liked it. Being interested in her fitmess as well as our own, I read some reviews (mostly quite positive) and decided to buy one on the theory that we could return it if we did not like it or if my D didn’t really use it. My D is not yet home for the summer, so my H and I have been using it. And, it is great fun. It is something we can do together and we both enjoy the competition aspect. I do an aroebic workout at the gym three times a week but gave up my personal trainer as soon as the economy started turning for the worse and my work dried up somewhat. Has anyone actually experienced any fitness bendfit from the Wii Fit? I do see how it can improve balance, but do the cardiac and stength training actually accomplish anything? (I am not complainging about having a bit of childish fun, but I am looking to get something more out of it.) Thanks for your input.</p>
<p>Like most exercise equipment, the benefit will depend on how much and how you use it–and on your beginning level of fitness. For an on-and-off-again exerciser like I am, the Wii Fit got me into the habit of exercising. Because of my low level of fitness to begin with, the aerobic exercises work for me. My teenage athlete son used the strength training which were too difficult for me. At nearly 60, the balance exercises are really good for me. I just bought the newly released personal trainer with the bands but haven’t tried it yet. After an extended absence, I am not looking forward to that little voice telling me that he/she missed me and that I need to exercise regularly. Am I weird that I can be intimidated by a game!!!</p>
<p>There’s a new EA active game coming out that looks like it may be good. I know that my mom who is in her 60’s enjoys her wii alot and gets a good workout doing the yoga and hula hoop exercises. She even does the jogging part. I mostly just use it for fun, but some of those games really make you work up a sweat! (like some of the Rayman Raving Rabids games)</p>
<p>lotsofquests, when my D got on the Wii after being away at college for the semester, it pretended it didn’t remember her name. I use the Wii for some of the yoga and core exercises, and like that it tracks my weight for me. I don’t use the running or stepping exercises much.</p>
<p>My S and I used it a lot last summer but we both stopped when school started and have done other exercising. I was amused when the game told S to be sure to remember to wish me a “Happy Birthday” the day before my birthday and a month later reminded me before his birthday.</p>
<p>I know a teacher at my 9 yr. old’s school that lost 30 pounds doing wii fit. I’m thinking about buying it.</p>
<p>My older D really likes it. Its a great workout buddy when you’re by yourself, fun to use when guests come over, and gets the whole family together and exercising. I recommend it!</p>
<p>After five days, I am favorably impressed. The fun keeps me coming back and that is probably the most important thing. Even over the five days, new more challenging exercises have opened up for me, and I believe the Wii does/can provide a real workout. In fact, my stomach muscles are sore from all the jackknives I did yesterday. I think it is a keeper. (My H, tho, is unhappy because he is so unskilled at most the challenges, which may keep him from using it. I keep telling him to use it in order to improve. We’ll see.)</p>
<p>thank you for starting this thread…
I too am interested in the Wii for working out… and I think the underlying advantage is that it allows someone who hasn’t been working out, a chance to begin to build a fitness regime…</p>
<p>I think the balance aspect has me interested because it affects core, right? helps build core? </p>
<p>How much physical space does one need to actually use these programs? </p>
<p>Does anyone have a specific CD/game that they recommend? the new EA Active with the bands? Or the original Sports? </p>
<p>What do you have and how are you using it?</p>
<p>Thanks for any insight…</p>
<p>Although my husband thoroughly enjoys his Wii Fit, I am afraid that it has not held up well for him. I would not recommend it for anyone over 200 pounds. For those less than that, I think it is great. Ours is currently missing the legs since my husband had to remove them to get the sensors to work. We hope this will add a few months to its life. The sensors wouldn’t recognize whether or not someone was standing on the board with the legs on. Whatever you do, don’t buy any accessories for it not made by Nintendo or you will void the warranty.</p>
<p>Do you have to put it on a hard surface floor (tile or wood)?</p>
<p>What games are enjoyable?</p>
<p>Went shopping with a friend who bought one today. You first need to buy the wii ($249), then the Wii fit components (not sure, think about $100), then there was a whole big store isle of wii fit games each costing about $50. Then there were all the batteries with the salesman advising that a normal battery would only last a few hours so rechargeables needed. Then they recommended extended warranty as “they get back a lot of broken ones”. Everything she bought came to about $600. She thought she was going shopping for a $100 product! If it keeps her interested it will be worth it.</p>
<p>I have used the EA active game for two days and need my heating pad or maybe a massage; I am sore but I also feel like I have more energy already. I am starting with the lowest level which burns about 100-130 calories in about 30 minutes. The personal trainer demonstrates each exercise and somehow the remote/nunchuk position tells the machine if you are doing it correctly. I did cheat a little on the lunges (bad knees) but if you don’t make a good attempt, it doesn’t seem to give you credit so you can move on. My son who just finished 4 months of varsity volleyball worked up a good sweat on the highest level. He skipped over most of the exercises but tried the volleyball section which looked like it was a lot of fun. Not sure if his coach would like him doing the virtual hits/serves or not. You can do the EA active without the balance board so it might be a good way to start exercising and you can add on the balance board later. I replaced batteries on the balance board today but I don’t think that I have used that many batteries in the board or the remote. I do have to admit that I broke a remote when I didn’t have the wrist band attached properlyand tried to bowl 100+ pins in one of the bowling exercises.</p>
<p>I have enjoyed all the various programs that come on the Wii Fit DVD that comes with the Board. The arobic, strength training and yoga provide a good workout and are fun. I have begun limiting my time on the balance games because they are so much fun that I get compulsive about improving my scores. I have been using the Wii for about 5 or 6 days and I feel more energetic and happier. I am slender and in reasonably good shape but this device will definitely get me more toned. I even look forward to exercising, and I can’t ask for anything more than that! I also bought the Wii My Personal Trainer for $29. It also provides a good training program but it is not interactive like Wii Fit. On the other hand, it provides a varied workout and is thus much better than the standard “exercise video.” The Wii Fit board is also a scale. I am not scale phobic but I tend to treat the scale like my investment portfolio–if I think I won’t be happy with what I am going to see, I avoid it. I am less inclined to do so with the Wii.</p>