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Kimaroo - 100% Pure Natural Kitteh

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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I have a Wii but not the Wii Fit.. and I'm amazed with how much of a workout the boxing seems to really be. You really get into it because you want to beat the crap out of the other player.. and before you know it you're huffing and puffing and sweating.

Or atleast that's how it goes at my house.

I'm sure it's not a workout at all for someone who is already in shape though.

I figure it's better than doing aerobics with the freaky chicks with ponytails already on the TV.

11 replies

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@Kimaroo - Fortified with Kittydus Purrularis: It would be if you could box the freaky chicks with ponytails...

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anduin1

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@Kimaroo - Fortified with Kittydus Purrularis:
totally, first night we got our wii we did the boxing for like 2 hours not knowing that you don't really have to flail your arms around like a ninja. Long story short, at the end of the 2 hours me and my brother were on the floor passed out from exhaustion, drenched in sweat.

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Dyscord

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@Kimaroo - Fortified with Kittydus Purrularis: I think it's mostly the fact that the controls in boxing are rather unresponsive compared to tennis and baseball.

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@Dyscord: Yeah I don't use much strategy when I box, just swing fiercely and wildly. Usually that's enough for a KO.

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@Kimaroo - Fortified with Kittydus Purrularis: It's a workout for those of us who get into it. BF the game programmer, who is too well informed, explained to me how the wiimotes are just accelerometers, and that you don't actually have to throw punches. you just have to flick your wrists.

So I'm throwing punches and trying to beat the snot out of him, he's giving these effeminate little flicks of the wrist and damned if he doesn't win every time - because his recover time is faster.

But, if we're ever in a dark alley and have to box our way out, I am SO on.

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jhuang

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@subtlefrog: definitely all about the wrist flicks. I win (almost) every time. But I still work up a sweat even with the flicks!

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johnmc

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@subtlefrog: Yeah, I figured out that the running game in WiiFit only measures up/down movements. Clearly boys have an advantage in this case, being well practiced in that particular motion.

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Kimaroo - 100% Pure Natural Kitteh

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@subtlefrog: LOL. It. Is. On.

Word.

PS. Imagining his effeminate wrist flicks when playing Wii boxing is HILLARIOUS. And you can tell him I said so.

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PsiCop

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@Kimaroo - Fortified with Kittydus Purrularis: +1 on the regular Wii Boxing providing a workout. Ditto with some of the other games; the baseball and tennis really get me going in addition to the boxing.

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@PsiCop: The boxing is awesome! I'm definitely working up a sweat after a few rounds.

Also even though the game itself isn't that physically exerting, the bowling gets me huffy and puffy with all the cheering and trash talk involved.

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@Kimaroo - Fortified with Kittydus Purrularis:

I'm embarrassed to admit my arms/shoulders were sore for like 3 days after we got a Wii at work...I consider myself to be in shape and the boxing IS a workout!

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Etoiles

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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A lot of it is in what you do. If you're just doing the balance games, of course you're not getting much exercise. On the other hand, after an hour of the rhythm boxing, free step, and \"running\" courses, your heart is definitely pounding.

2 replies

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@Etoiles: I think the point is that if you're doing the real stuff, your heart is pounding within 5-10 minutes.

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Etoiles

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@floraposte: I didn't mean that it takes an hour to get to that point; rather, that after an hour with it on the aerobic activities, I'm pretty worn out.

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smonk

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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I agree that it helps lose weight, or keep it in check because of the guilt it gives when you gain and by showing your mii become a fatty.

I actually lost 8lbs from the wii fit. I was doing the exercises, which probably helped me lose a few, but it motivated me to run a bit with my dog and eat better.

So whatever works, works. Right?

3 replies

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@smonk: Hey smonk, maybe you should run your \"8lbs loss\" over to wii fit and get an endorsement. Money talks!

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Cocotte

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@smonk: My work-from-home job keeps me chained to the laptop and on-call for most of the day... at least with the wii fit I get to do something sweaty while being able to keep an ear on my inbox.

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hotdogsunrise

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@smonk: It's true. If it is getting someone up and active, then it's great. For some people, Wii Fit may be the motivation to engage in even more activity, just like you said.

As long as people realize that Wii Fit is not the end all to all exercise programs, it's all good. There's always my kickboxing class. ;-)

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msbask

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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I imagine that it's better than nothing (for someone that does no exercise), but besides that...... IT'S FUN!

1 replies

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@msbask: It's so much fun! And yeah, I'm one of those people that does not exercise and am definitely a fat ass, but I love my Wii Fit. The yoga can kiss my ass, but stuff like the step thing, the hula hooping (tell me you don't feel that in your thighs!) and the rhythm boxing are awesome. I'd keep it just for the boxing alone, but it turns out it's actually helped me lose some weight so I've kept up with it. It helped me get better at the Wii Sports boxing too.

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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Wait, you mean I'd burn more calories by going for a walk? Or spending a weekend backpacking? Or biking to work every day? My Wii Fit is just a, a . . . video game?!

NooOOooooOOO!

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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Wii Fit provides a low-impact workout that introduces otherwise sedentary people to exercise (and everyone else to a change of pace). Anyone who thinks they will get in shape with Wii Fit alone is misguided, but it will improve your balance if you perform the yoga exercises correctly.

3 replies

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The Porkchop Express

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@AstroPig7: I don't know that we needed research to tell us that the Wii fit isn't the greatest work out ever, but it has to beat just sitting there playing Halo.

Waste of money this research was. If it gets people to actually move in some way, its better than nothing at all.

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P=mv

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@AstroPig7: I use the wii fit for the balance and yoga games as a sort of warm up and stretch routine before exercise. I'm terrible with doing this on my own. And the shaming thing when you gain weight works too. *wince*

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@AshCatScram: The shame factor is funny to me, because my BMI is borderline overweight, even though I’m actually healthy (6'1\" and 180 lb). My weight can fluctuate by four pounds in a given week, so I frequently go over and under the dreaded 25.0 mark. Essentially, the game is shaming me for being a healthy weight.

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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My wife uses the Wii Fit every morning.
She would not do ANYTHING if the Wii Fit was not there. What is good about it is that there is the \"coaching\" aspect which helps a great deal, plus the automatic recording of data over time.

No, it is not as good as a \"proper\" exercise regime, but if it gets my wife to \"work out\" for 15 minutes a day and she feels good about it, it is good enough.

I should also point out that the Wii Fit and Wii Sports is great for older people to get them to do ROM (Range Of Motion) excercises which are simply exercises to keep your joints from atrophying. Even Patients/Residents that are wheelchair bound can do these things. Every little bit helps.

2 replies

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@microcars: Sure, but they can also do that with On Demand or a ten-buck video, which is a lot cheaper.

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Rectilinear Propagation

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@floraposte: Does the on demand thing record data on your exercise too?

(Serious question 'cause I don't know)

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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Who said that it is as good as traditional exercise? I don't recall Nintendo ever making those claims. What it does do is to get people that won't exercise AT ALL off of there asses.

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larrymac thinks testing should have occurred

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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Consumerists Conclude That Researchers Have No Concept of \"Fun\".

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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I've got both Wii Fit and EA Active Fitness. I used Wii Fit by itself for about a year and lost 20lbs (down to 180) and then switched to EA Active Fitness when it came out for the more intensive exercise and circuit based training. With it I've maintained my weight and gained muscle mass.

I still use Wii Fit (and now Wii Fit Plus) mainly for some of the games (Snowball Fight and Rhythm Kung Fu are fun) and the yoga moves (about 10 minutes of that usually cures my lower back pain without needing aspirin).

5 replies

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@elganador: Another EA Active testimonial. I did the 30 day challenge, lost a little weight but toned up a *lot*.

I love the customizable workouts and being able to opt out of certain exercises but I wish they'd let you swap another exercise instead. Running triggers my asthma, but I can cardiobox just fine.

The only annoying things are the resistance band provides hardly any resistance (remedied by buying another one) and the nunchuck cord is super-annoying for the bent-over rows.

Oh, and someone needs to make a proper Wii step aerobics game STAT (yes, I know Wii Fit has one, but it's pretty lame).

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@smirkette: my issue is as a step, the wii fit is too low. I used to do steps with my stepstool and I felt it was a lot more effective, but it unfortunately doesn't count for me or make clicky noises. :(

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@elganador: EA fitness kicks my ass. It's *so* much harder than the normal Wii Fit game (jump lunges = EVIL), so I wonder why they looked at just the original game and not everything else you can do with it.

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dadelus

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@TheWillow: Totally agree. Additionally, jump squats followed by rollerblading made me realize some of the programmers as EA are just sadistic @$$holes!!!

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@elganador: I never really got much use out of the Wii Fit, but I used EA Active diligently and really felt and saw a difference (when I combined it with a healthier way of eating). Of course, then I stopped doing both and now I'm back in my fat pants.

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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I'm overweight but very flexible & balanced so Wii Fit always makes me feel really good about myself. I really like the new abilities of Wii Fit Plus too. I think to get a lot, or anything out of Wii Fit you have to put it in. It's pretty easy to half ass if you want to, but you can push yourself for more.

I like using it as a supplement, my 30+ minutes of Wii Fit are better than the no+ minutes I would be doing most days after work.

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james

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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The ACE is not about to be fooled by weasel words like \"the game introduces sedentary (or are they really 'sedimentary'?) people to exercise\", as so would a more vigorous exercise choice, like taking the stairs rather than the elevator. Simple stair climbing is not far away from the sort of aerobic exercise that ACE suggests as \"optimal\". If it does not make you huff and puff, you simply are not getting much from the time you are putting in.

If it makes you feel any better, nearly every one of the fitness devices you see being sold on TV are useless crud, most of them having \"abs\" in the name, but being devices that merely work the hip flexors, and not the abs.

The PX-90 tapes and DVDs are decent intros, but nothing beats getting a trainer to teach you proper \"form\", as a workout helps very little if you are \"doing it wrong\".

2 replies

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hotdogsunrise

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@james: I have to disagree on one point. There is nothing introductory about P90X. It's a very difficult workout program for advanced exercisers. But most DVDs are for beginners and as such, are introductory in nature.

But I completely agree that nothing is better than a trainer for showing you proper form. As long as they know what they are doing, as well.

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Etoiles

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@james: That's part of why so many of us prefer the Wii -- it at least can tell something about what you're doing, vs. a DVD that gives no feedback at all. And FYI, those of us with no cartilage in our knees benefit from doing things that aren't stair-climbing. ;)

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diasdiem

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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You know what works even better? Getting some sort of exercise machine and taking advantage of your wireless controllers by exercising while you play.

1 replies

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@diasdiem:
Playing mario kart while riding an exercise bike is the best.

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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The Wii Fit is not a weight loss tool. It's silly to treat it as one when Miyamoto himself said, \"I don't think Wii Fit's purpose is to make you fit; what it's actually aiming to do is make you aware of your body.\"

It's a glorified bathroom scale with fun minigames, and that's all.

3 replies

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Rectilinear Propagation

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@Pink Puppet: I guess Wii Body Awareness wasn't catchy enough.

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@Pink Puppet: Yeah,,you're basically right but if it helps folks to lose weight who don't like the gym, more power to them. I love the gym, others don't. I say there is something for everyone these days.

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@Pink Puppet: The memory/charting feature is fantastic. I enjoy the games, but I use it mostly to keep track of my weight history (screw you Weight Watchers!).
My wife and I usually play together, if the Wii Fit's player to player transition was smoother, we would definitely play more.
It probably shouldn't be a person's only fitness activity, but I like it as a complimentary device/program.

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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I didn't know Wii Fit passive-aggressively scolded you when you gain weight, but it does do it when you don't bother playing with it for a while. I love mine, but I play it infrequently, when I'm not getting much exercise. It will tell me it can't remember my name, or otherwise insult me. Then all is right with the world when it realizes I made my goal not weight maintenance, and it will let me on with my day. Sometimes, I'd kind of like to tell it its role in my life...

4 replies

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Rectilinear Propagation

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@subtlefrog, @The Porkchop Express, @Kimaroo - Fortified with Kittydus Purrularis: OMG, seriously? That's hysterical!

Why hasn't this ended up on passiveaggressivenotes.com yet?

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lemur

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@subtlefrog: Insult me because I'm not moving enough? I've got a wife for that.

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Kimaroo - 100% Pure Natural Kitteh

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@subtlefrog: I have a Nintendo DS Lite, and I have \"Brain Age\" on it.. it does the same thing, like the lil guy will act like he's sleeping and \"Ohh.. I didn't see you there. Who are you again?!\"

He will also tattle on others by saying, \"You know, I haven't seen Mr. Aroo for a while. I get lonley when people don't come around anymore.\"

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The Porkchop Express

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@subtlefrog: After a little bit of time not using it, did it call you the wrong name? mine did, the little, flat bastard.

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Loias calls you out if you can't RTFA

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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Did anyone really think a glorified scale/mat was going to do a better job than traditional exercise techniques?

1 replies

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@Loias:
It can if they make it more like a tiebo video.

It is too slow and they need to make it fast paced and high intensity otherwise it is a waste of time.

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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I have Wii Fit as well and noticed that it seems to put too much emphasis on balance.

But at the very least, it's SOME exercise and it's fun. It's probably caused a lot of people to get way more exercise than they were before and I don't see that as a bad thing at all.

1 replies

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The Porkchop Express

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@pot_roast: I don't know if the wii fit will do it, but balance and balance based workouts can work your core/stabilizers pretty well

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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This is sort of old news. Which isn't to take anything away from this story, but I think it's been known for awhile that Wii Fit really doesn't do much. But it's fun.

I personally had better results playing DDR. Yeah...

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justsomeotherguy

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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I love how some people just miss the point... WII fit gets ppl to exercise who otherwise might not. Sure, its not as good as 'a real work out program\" but it is clearly better than sitting on yer couch.

Reminds me... I need to start jumping rope again...

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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Wait, does this mean Wii Golf won't improve my drive?

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kaceetheconsumer

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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Wii Fit gives us a family-friendly (even for my very little kid) way to play a non-sedentary game during the blasting heat of Austin summer. Wish we had one in the infernal-hell-fire-heat of Vegas when we lived there.

Furthermore, after my foot surgery, the balance games have been highly valuable to me in retraining my foot to support that side of my body. For instance, when I was first able to put any pressure on the bad foot at all, it felt like I was standing at about 50-50, but on the balance board with the tests I could see that I was really more like only 10% on the bad foot.

I was able to utilize my self-competitive mindset to nudge me into putting more pressure on the bad foot than I wanted to (which is important to do and what physical therapy forces). I had been excellent at the ball-table-game-thingy before the surgery so I pushed myself to get back to a decent point on that.

I've also been able to use it to report back to my podiatrist that I'm having trouble pushing to the upper outside corner on that side, which is something I wouldn't really know without the sensitivity of the board.

If you don't assume that it's equal to real exercise (and only a fool would), it's still something that can be a lot of fun and have unexpected value elsewhere. Frankly, I think physical therapy offices should all have one!

Now if they'd only come out with more very-little-kid-friendly games for the balance board...4-year-old hands can't adequately grasp the remote to press all the buttons.

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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I want a Wii Fit b/c it's so fun, not so that I can get exercise. If I want that, I'll take a nice long walk.

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H3ion

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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Researchers seem to agree that it has a thinning effect on your wallet.

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gcas

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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NOW they tell me! I just ordered Wii Fit last week!

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duncanblackthorne

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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Want to get fit and lose excess fat? Here's how:

1. PUT DOWN THE VIDEO GAME
2. GO OUTSIDE
3. MOVE MORE
4. EAT LESS
5. ????
6. PROFIT!

..all for the low, low price of: ESSENTIALLY FREE. Running shoes optional.

5 replies

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Rectilinear Propagation

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@duncanblackthorne: You're wasting a lot of breath shouting like that.

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@duncanblackthorne: If you have to put down the Wii Fit, you're playing it wrong.

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sqlrob

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@duncanblackthorne:
Go outside?

The summer temp here is usually over 100, with high humidity, and at night might, if we're lucky, drop to 80?

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duncanblackthorne

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@sqlrob: Suck it up. :-)

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Etoiles

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@sqlrob: We have the opposite problem: black ice and uncleared snow from sidewalks. Also, no street lights and sunset is ~4:30.

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Ronin-Democrat

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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any excersize is better than none.
If the fun nature of the fit makes people move around great.
plus you have to figure that not everyone one has access to a boxing gym or tennis courts due to cost or location.

So move your lard asses and get a fit or pass me a pizza

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cmdrsass

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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All around the country, class action lawyers are twirling their waxed mustaches.

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Ratty

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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It's a nice tokenist gesture and it gets lazy people moving, but... just go running. or use an elliptical if you have joint issues. It's not that hard for someone to get up to burning 500+ kCal an hour. That number even assumes you're not over 150.

Get a small MP3 player if you don't have one already, load it with motivational music, and get to it. If you want to be serious about your health at least. WiiFit might be SOME activity, but it's not going to be a truly eworthwhile cardio workout.

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jonquil

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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A counterexample: the Wii Fit nagging actually made me *less* likely to exercise. Guilt is a demotivator for me, and there's no way to turn the damn thing off!

A friend told me that *her* Wii actually started nagging her about the other member of the household's not exercising, but I hope that's an urban legend....

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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I tried Wii fit. The problem is it is not high intensity.
They need to make as intense as a kickboxing or aerobics class otherwise it is worthless.

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Spotz

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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Try the advanced Hula Hoop game and then get back to me...

1 replies

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TemporaryAphasia

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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@Spotz: @jonquil: No, it's not. Mine routinely says, \"Have you seen Jimbob lately? I haven't.\" Jimbob being a Mii profile my other half made just to test, used once, and never again. It'll also ask you how you think other people are looking, health/weight-wise. I -do- wish you could turn that crap off though - it was really disheartening to have mine nagging me about weight gain when there was no \"I'm pregnant, you stupid thing!\" option. Ideally I'd like several options - nagging, encouraging, or not saying a dang thing and just tracking my weight without any commentary.

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November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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I've never lost so much weight as when I spent a winter playing DDR 4x a week and eating nothing but pasta with tomato sauce. I always wondered how you could trim down with a game that doesn't require you to *move*.

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MoonstarGem

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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I know prolly everyone else already thought of this, but if someone wants a game to do exercise with, Get the really good DDR pad, not the cheap vinyl/foam ones, those fall apart on anything above easy mode. Once you work your way up to the higher difficulties, you'll be breaking a sweat.

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TemporaryAphasia

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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I like my Wii Fit. I can get active in my living room, in whatever I'm wearing, at any time of day no matter the weather. I have a young son and it's convenient to be able to jump on and do 20 minutes of hula hooping when he's napping - which is 20 minutes more than I'd have been doing otherwise. It may not be as good as a proper gym workout or going for a long run, but for me neither of those is gonna happen, so -something- is better than nothing, and it's fun. So there. :P

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ninepeoplesfavorite

November 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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We bought the Wii specifically for the WiiFit a few months back. It's now a part of our everyday routine. My partner and I both work out with it 5-7 times a week, when previously we worked out none.

I got it for the motivation factors of being able to have a work out routine at home. I hate the gym. I'm overly self-conscious and it really turns me off. I'd go if I could work out with my partner, but we keep opposite schedules a lot and so we discovered that wasn't going to work, and our midsections have taken note too.

Well, we've both lost weight. He's lost 8-10 lbs, and I've lost 5-7 lbs. I've built up noticeable muscles in my legs and thighs, triceps, pecs & shoulders, abs (!!) and definitely am slimming down and becoming decidedly less pear-shaped.

We both try to do a 1-2 hour workout every day. My typical workout includes almost all of the yoga poses, and most of the strength exercises (with expert level repitions,) including the Jacknife exercise/30 reps/twice each workout. I've even added some free weights to the Rowing Squats and Lunges to make it more difficult and work out more muscles. Add the super hula hoop for 10 minutes, plus a 30 minute run (while catching up on The Daily Show/Colbert Report on DVR) and 2 hours have flown and I'm completely drenched in sweat.

Once or twice a week, I do about half the yoga/strength exercises paired with the Hula Hoop and Run, but it's the everyday full routine, and the intensity of the workout that helps me burn calories and slim down.

As others have noted, if you just do the balance exercises or a few yoga poses, you're not burning many calories. I do the yoga because it safely warms up/stretches my body for the intense hula hooping and running later in the workout, and really lets me relax and get into the idea of working out -- something I have ALWAYS been loathe to do. But the Wii can give you a serious workout if you can commit to it. I actually look forward to working out and running, which my adolescent (and slimmer) self would have laughed at 15 years ago -- I seriously never thought I'd enjoy a fitness routine, but I'm a convert now.

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