Is the Wii Fit good exercise? | Exercise.com Learn: Your Fitness Business Resource

Is the Wii Fit good exercise?

Tyler Spraul is the director of UX and the head trainer for Exercise.com. He has his Bachelor of Science degree in pre-medicine and is an NSCA-certified strength and conditioning specialist. He is a former All-American soccer player and still coaches soccer today. In his free time, he enjoys reading, learning, and living the dad life. He has been featured in Shape, Healthline, HuffPost, Women's...

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UPDATED: Aug 25, 2020

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  • The Wii Fit has the potential to be a good workout tool.
  •  It is not as effective as going running or jogging would be as a way to get and stay fit.
  • The Wii Fit is better than sitting on the couch, but it is not challenging enough for a person who is interested in serious exercise.

The Wii Fit has the potential to be a good workout tool.

It is designed to be used indoors and comes with a number of exercises for consumers to perform.

https://fave.co/2HMEyvc. The Fit component includes a CD with exercises, instructions, and a balance board which measures 12 inches by 20 inches, and it is made of plastic.

The unit is similar in appearance to the steps that are used for aerobics classes. Except for running, all of the exercises for the Wii Fit are performed on the board or right next to it.

The board is equipped with smart technology to sense whether the user is positioned correctly or not. It can also be used as a scale.

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What Does It Mean to Create a Mii for the Wii Fit?

A person who buys the Wii Fit must first set up his or her own Mii. This is an avatar that is personalized with the user’s nickname. It also includes the user’s facial features and body type.

A user will enter his or her birth date, gender, and height to set up the Mii. At that point, the balance board is activated and the user is asked to weigh him or herself. The unit then announces the user’s weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), and “Wii Fit Age.”

This last number may be higher than the user’s chronological age. This number is determined by how quickly the user performs the Wii balance test.

It does not consider the user’s cardiovascular fitness or muscle strength.

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What Games Are Available for the Wii Fit Exercise Unit?

The Wii Fit includes a number of balance games. A number of them focus on providing a workout for the core muscles in the body. Users who are looking for a way of working out that includes slow, controlled motions will be pleased with this exercise option.

Balance games available with the Wii Fit include a ski jump, a ski slalom run, and a table tilt. Users can also practice head butting an onscreen soccer ball to practice their balance skills. Prospective Wii Fit customers should keep in mind that being able to stay balanced on a board does not accurately reflect a user’s true level of fitness.

The Wii Fit also has strength training, aerobics, and yoga available for users. The yoga program allows users to choose from a selection of poses. The unit provides biofeedback on how steadily the individual holds each pose, along with whether his or her weight was distributed properly while in position.

Users who choose strength training can try torso twists, lunges, push-ups, or jackknifes. The balance board counts the number of times the exercise is performed, but it doesn’t provide any feedback about whether the movements are being performed correctly.

With the aerobics option, a user can perform a basic step, hula hoop, or run. The run is performed in place and off the board with the Wiimote in the individual’s pocket. These options don’t provide an intense cardiovascular workout, but they do become a bit more challenging as the game advances.

An onscreen trainer walks the user through the demos, as well as the exercises themselves. The trainer offers encouragement while the exercises are being performed, as well as comments designed to keep the user motivated and continuing to exercise.

With each log-in, the user receives a “stamp.” The unit’s “fit bank” keeps track of how many minutes the user has logged each day. It also tracks his or her current weight and weight loss goals. It does not keep track of the number of calories burned during a workout, though.

What Is the Benefit of the Wii Fit Exercise Program?

The Wii Fit offers programs that encourage users to get up off the couch and get moving. It is not as effective as going running or jogging would be as a way to get and stay fit, though.

The game system should be considered a form of entertainment, as opposed to a way for someone to improve his or her fitness. Even the most challenging games that are available for the system (boxing and tennis) don’t burn the same amount of calories as engaging in the real thing.

The Wii Fit is better than sitting on the couch, but it is not challenging enough for a person who is interested in serious exercise.

A home workout routine performed with basic weights, or even a no-weights workout plan could be more effective. Go PRO today for access to home-based workouts, certified personal trainers, and more.

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