Wii Fit -- What do you think?

    • Gold Top Dog

    Wii Fit -- What do you think?

    BF likes video games, and owns an Xbox 360 (has owned others in the past, but currently just has this one) but we do not have a wii.

    Then the Wii fit came out and my interest was sparked. I have recently started an exercise routine that I hope to stick with. I told myself that if I stuck with it until christmas I would buy a wii and a wii fit.

    So does anyone own and use the wii fit? I have gotten and read a variety of reviews about it. Some love it, others say it won't do much for you, physically and workout wise, others say its fun and something is better than nothing, that its designed to get you off the couch.

    What do you guys have to say about the wii fit?

    • Gold Top Dog

    I don't personally have one.  But, a friend at work uses it and really likes it.  BUT, she's a big girl and has a lot of weight to loose.  I get the impression from her that if you are already at a certain level of fitness it won't be very challenging for you.  But, that's what I hear second hand I've never tried it myself. 

    • Gold Top Dog

     I worked a promotion for Wii and also have a Wii Fit. Wii Fit is specifically designed to get people of any age off the couch and moving around. No you shouldn't use it as an actual workout because it will not alone get you fit. For something as a little extra to add to your workout routine or for a day when you just don't or can't get up the energy to have a full workout, sure its fine.

    That being said, its fun for awhile, then it loses interest, at least for me it did. I spent $90 and its seriously just sitting there. The games are short, and I wish they were longer. The yoga and strength training become annoying because you go through one pose, then have to stop and get to another one. It's definitely no substitute for a yoga or aerobics class.

    My opinion, its alright but its nothing special. At first I was all excited about it but after playing a few times I'm over it.

    • Gold Top Dog
    Great! Thanks for the review, it is very helpful, and is in line with some other things I've read...
    • Gold Top Dog

    We have the Wii fit, and got it the day it came out.  I like it and it definitely is a workout, but if you're already pretty fit it would be more for fun than any thing else.  The boxing and hula hoop are the only things that got me working up to a sweat (the "advanced" times) but only maybe the first time or two and now it doesn't do as much for me.  But, it does get me moving more than I might otherwise.  It's no replacement for a gym or anything, but I don't have access to a cheap gym that's close by and I'm not motivated enough to drive somewhere every day or every few days ANd pay for it. 

    More than anything, I like following my weight and tracking it.  DH and I compete over things like the ski jump, but again we like the balance games the most and they don't do very much in terms of a workout -- it's just fun and maybe helps your "core" muscles or something. 

    I'm not skilled in yoga so many of the poses I can't do properly or long enough or something and I'm not sure I'm into yoga enough to keep at it.  Maybe.  And the strength training is good but there's only so much you can do without weights.  And the ones where you put your forearms on the balance board just hurt my arms, and push ups hurt my wrists, so it's not as fun for me. 

    Running in place also gets old quickly. Its a nice feature and we like to run against each other, but its a totally different movement than actual running.

    All in all, I'm glad we have it since it's still more than we would do sometimes (though DH goes to the gym as well) but now that we've unlocked everything it's not as interesting.  We actually sometimes go a week or two... or three, unfortunately, without really using it. I know I should but to do 30 min of exercise it's about 45-60 minutes depending on how much time you need to switch between things.  It's not horribly hard to get to something new, but sometimes they explain things or stop in the boxing to show you the new move or something. 

     So, that's my opinion.  Yes I like it, but yes I'm glad it was a gift!  It's good for people who aren't going to pay for a gym or need something to do while watching TV (you can do step aerobics but it tells you through the wii mote what to do so you can watch TV) or as a casual addition to a good workout, but if you are looking to actually lose weight it probably won't happen.  Perhaps burn some calories and get more mobile but not really a hard core weight loss.

    • Gold Top Dog

     I have it, and I like it. However, I do not think it is a replacement for any other form of exercise. I bought it purely for the fun factor. If I get some actual benefit from it, that's excellent too.

    • Gold Top Dog

    The competition in it is great.  I am constantly trying to beat DH's latest score.  The yoga and strength could use a bit more length to them.  But overall I really like it.  It's fun.  DH actually lost about 20 pounds since we've had it, but I think that's more because he is tracking his weight and it is right there in his face.