Wii Fit Review + Day 1

For $89.99 I was a little hesitant about Wii Fit. Was it going to just be a gimmick? Was it going to have any lasting power? And maybe the most important question, will there be use of the balance board beyond the Wii Fit game?

I was pleasantly surprised minutes into the game. It's very accurate. If your balance is just a bit off, it's going to know. And the games (workouts) are also nicely varied in skill and movements. I went through all the yoga and most of the others (aerobics, strength training, and balance) and worked up a bit of a sweat.

Before I get into the individual activities (and before you have a chance to if you boot up the game for the first time), you need to weigh in. Here your center of balance, Body Mass Index (BMI) and weight are all measured. Finally, you're given a basic balance test and then provided your Wii Fit age. My center of balance was off by .8 and I received a 30 on my basic balance test, but I believe was average/below average. My BMI as "normal" at 23.51 and my weight at 164 lbs. My Wii Fit age was 36, 14 years too high.

After this is all given to you, you set a goal for yourself. How much do you want to lose and in how much time. Your goal can be changed every 2 weeks in case you're falling behind or maybe ahead of schedule. I went with the game's suggestion of getting my BMI to 22, which would require me to lose 10 lbs. I gave myself a month to do it. This is where the biggest problem with the game comes into play though. It doesn't account for muscle. If you're a muscular guy or gal, those extra pounds (and remember muscle > fat) will be considered fat. Furthermore, say I focused on the strength training exercises, would it look like I was gaining weight? I'm not 100% sure, but I want to say yes. So this game seems to be best fit for those looking to slim down, not bulk up.

The way it tracks your progress is also very motivating. Not only to use the Wii Fit game, but to exercise and make healthy choices outside of the game. While the game tracks what time of activities you do inside the game, it also lets you add in activities from the real world. So if you go for a run or a walk, you can add it to your list.

Now you can get started. I have no prior experience in yoga, but from what I can tell the game stays true to what you'd experience in a class. There's only 4 poses available when you start the game, but there's plenty of difficulty even then. The tree pose (check this video to see it in action) is the last and most difficult one available at first. The game is definitely more demanding than say a video because your balance is moving on the screen.

The balance games are neat little mini games that are aimed to improve your balance. I tried out soccer heading and the ski jump. I don't imagine a ton of improve in either balance or health is accomplished by these mini games, but they are one of the most fun. The ski jump is great and paves the way for a more in-depth skiing or snowboarding game.

The strength training took me by surprise. I did the single leg extensions and the push-up/side plank exercises. The push-up/side plank was great. You put your hands on the balance board and it makes sure you're doing the reps on time. This is one of the more difficult exercises I came across so far and had me working up a nice sweat.

Lastly, we have the aerobics. Another good section of mini games like the hula hoop and a DDR-light-esque basic step. This is where the running happens too. As you run the other Miis you've created will be seen in the park. The scenery is nice and seeing your Miis run or just hangout is a plus, but the lack of music makes the running a tad boring after a couple times through. It is a nice workout though. I did the short distance run with the Wiimote in my pocket (you can hold it in your hand too) and I went on for quite a while. Who would have thought running in place in your living room would be relatively draining?

I guess I'll wrap this up. Wii Fit, despite it's price, is a solid video game and a pretty good way of exercising. I don't think this is going to solve America's obesity problem, but it will definitely help. Those who need a different kind of kick in the ass or those getting off the couch for the first time in a while will find this to be a refreshing way to get that heart beating. For those of you who are already workout warriors will probably find it interesting, but I'm not sure if the appeal will last.

I plan on weighing in every week. So feel free to join me as I check my progress and really put the Wii Fit to the test.

Day 1, June 3
BMI: 23.51
Weight: 164 lbs
Center of Balance: 49.2% / 50.8%
Basic Balance Test: 30
Wii Fit Age: 36