Wii becomes Fit

by Angela York  |  July 9, 2009

In the past years a new problem has raised the world wide attention, becoming day by day more present into our lives: Obesity. Today, only in USA almost 59 million people are considered overweight and 40 million have been declared obese and the numbers continue to grow, forecasting that in 5 years time 4 out of 10 Americans will be obese. One of the important causes which is to blame for such a problem, apart from the years of eating negligence, is the lack of sport.

Video games through their nature are helping people and especially children to become sedentary. Because of this, nowadays a new trend is expanding: "Exergaming". To wipe out the blame and to give a hand in fighting this “social disease”, Nintendo has launched in 2007 a new video game, from the Fitness Game genre, for the Wii console.

Wii Fit aims to detach itself from the classical video games – played on the couch – and with the help of the interactivity feature to make workout fun. The new game for the Wii console offers 4 types of games and implicit of exercises: balance games, aerobic exercises, yoga exercises and muscle workout. Moreover, the player can see how many calories has burned, can track his progress and BMI (Body  Mass Index) and can even set targets. With the help of the Mii avatar the player can interact with each game and can save his records and track his performances.

The tool which makes all these possible is the: Balance Board. The board has the same smooth and clean design as the Wii console and interacts with this one wirelessly. The balance board works on 4 batteries and can detect the change both in weight and pressure. Even more, it is provided with 2 anti – adherent parts for a secure and comfortable workout.

Although one can't create his own exercises program, he can choose a trainer, can benefit from encouragements and more games he plays, more games he unlocks. Some of the games imply simple movements, while other necessitate more concentration and have a higher difficulty rate – and this can only mean more calories burnt. For a habituated runner or for a person who is accustomed to exercise every day Wii Fit can be a way to warm up and have fun, for the others  - with a sedentary way of life – can be a workout while having fun.

It's true that the Wii Fit does not offer very detailed information on, for example: how one should breath - in yoga, but let's remember this is a fitness game and not a truly fitness class. Per total the reviews are very good and the sales have reached in March, 2009, 18.22 million units worldwide.

Wii Fit has succeeded to change the way one thinks about exercises, in the same way that Nintendo Wii has changed one's perception on home consoles. With the help of the “Exergames”, exercises can be regarded as fun and although this is a small step, in time it can change the way one does sports.

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