Wii Fit absolutely amazing if you can squeeze it into your life

November 29, 2008 by vongsundara · Leave a Comment 

What a crazy morning. I woke up at 6:00 a.m. today to stand in line at the local Toys R Us store to pick up a copy of Wii Fit, which is a fitness training program by the wizards at Nintendo. Wii Fit has actually been out for a few months now, and I’ve seen it around until the recent holiday rush. Now Wii Fit is very difficult to find and is going for more than double its retail price on eBay. Unlike most of my reviews, it will be difficult to give Wii Fit a score, as its true test will be how it incorporates itself into my life and the results I gain from using it.

Over the past few years, I have gained around 20 pounds following a period of little to no physical activity due to a major vehicle accident. I’ve been trying several different ways to get back into shape including playing sports nearly five times a week and hiring a personal trainer this summer. Nothing has really seemed to work, though I have stopped the downward spiral that landed me near 160 pounds. I am now closer to 150 pounds at the start of my Wii Fit experience.

My initial impression of the Wii Balance Board that came with the game is that it is very sturdy (this is Nintendo after all) and does an amazing job of detecting balance. There are four core training areas included: Yoga, Strength, Aerobic and Balance Games. I have taken Yoga in the past and have also had minor strength and aerobic training. The Balance Games are a nice touch as well and the four games unlocked so far have gotten me off the couch and into physical activity.

For me, the most powerful piece of Wii Fit may just be its tracking ability. Today I am listed at 151.7 lbs. with a BMI of 24.38, which is in the normal range, though it’s closely bordering on overweight. My Wii Fit age, which is a measure of my current age with my weight and fitness abilities taken into account, is currently at 42 years old, which is rather terrible.

Wii Fit comes with 40 exercises and activities total, though only a few are available at the start. While some reviewers have faulted Wii Fit for this omission, I think it’s actually one of the better design choices. Harder exercises aren’t unlocked until gamers show they have advanced to that level. Even the easier exercises restrict the number of reps until you show you can handle more. I look forward to advancing and unlocking more and more activities.

Thus far, I LOVE the Yoga included. Even at a real Yoga class, the instructor is not able to so accurately pinpoint my balance deficiencies. Strength training exercises are rather difficult, and this is me performing the exercises without weights. Once I am more proficient and add weights, I am sure to get even more benefit.

I’m not really sure how I will document my time with Wii Fit as yet. I’ll see how my time holds up. For now, I will submit this review and at the very least write a follow-up review on how I am doing in regards to my goals (I have to lose 14.28 pounds in two months).

Thus far, I think Wii Fit is absolutely brilliant and the below score reflects my current feelings, though this score may change as I use the program more and more.

Review Score: ★★★★★ 

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