Wii, a gimmick or good tool for fitness?

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pa.press.net has submitted an article to many online news channels on January 29, 2008 that downplays the benefit of using the Nintendo Wii for health and exercise. The article uses the word "gimmick" while referring to using the Wii as a fitness tool. Read the full article Here.

"Pupils would be far better doing serious competitive sports and games than this sort of thing.

"It looks like another gimmick. It's pandering to the views of the physically idle."
If we were all to live by this logic, then 24 Hour Fitness would be a gimmick also. Home gyms would be a gimmick. Yoga would be a gimmick. Pilates, step aerobics, spinning, etc, etc, etc are all gimmicks. Do these gimmicks work for improving fitness? Absolutely. The greatest benefit is that all these indoor activites can be done alone and can be done year round.

The goal of using the Wii for fitness needs is to get you interested and entertained while getting a workout. This is a better alternative to the classic games where no physical activity is required. Using this gimmick can bud a lifestyle change in the participant by being the "first step" in improving their physical fitness and health.

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Sadly parents in today's age have a tendency to give their kids game consoles and handhelds. It keeps them quiet, keeps them close by, etc. But the drawback is that kids get fat from lack of excercise. I'm all about getting the kid to be active and if combining 2 things, both gaming and excercise, I'm all for it.

Blame the parents for their kids being fat lil pigs or psychos, not the game industry.
 
and if you and anyone else believes the wii will help you lose weight ive got a plot of land in atlantis thats up for sale to the highest bidder. prime seaside property with an amazing view of the ocean..................
 
[quote name='lokizz']and if you and anyone else believes the wii will help you lose weight ive got a plot of land in atlantis thats up for sale to the highest bidder. prime seaside property with an amazing view of the ocean..................[/quote]

WiiFit has the potential to do that, so keep that for sale sign up for a tad :bouncy:
 
Definitely a gimick a far as being a fitness tool goes. You just can't burn enough calories, get your heart rate up enough by just waving your arms around, standing on a balance board with Wiifit etc. for it to be taken as serious fitness.

Is it at least better than playing regular games lounging on the coach? Sure. Is it remotely a substitue for real excercise? Of course not.
 
I'll wait to actually see the game before I judge.

All I'm expecting is a way to hook you on old staple exercises and to measure progress. If it does that, mission accomplised.
 
Not only will Wii Fit be available that specifically uses the Wii for fitness needs, but also Wii health is slated to be released. If this trend continues, I see a large number of fitness based Wii games on the way.
 
[quote name='CriscoKidd']
All I'm expecting is a way to hook you on old staple exercises and to measure progress. If it does that, mission accomplised.[/QUOTE]

I will admit that it depends on what a person considers as good fitness. I assume by staple excersies you mean things like stretching, pushups, situps, maybe some step aerobics etc. as that's about all I could see you doing with the Wii.

And I'll concede that could be done, and I guess doing those basic things is better than nothing.

I'm just kind of snobbish when it comes to excercise since I'm a gym rat. :D
 
[quote name='dmaul1114']Definitely a gimick a far as being a fitness tool goes. You just can't burn enough calories, get your heart rate up enough by just waving your arms around, standing on a balance board with Wiifit etc. for it to be taken as serious fitness.

Is it at least better than playing regular games lounging on the coach? Sure. Is it remotely a substitue for real excercise? Of course not.[/QUOTE]

Yes.
 
[quote name='Nephlabobo']Gimmick. No doubt.[/QUOTE]

It would probably help if you defined "gimmick" -- weight loss has been substantiated in a number of cases, so if you're arguing "it just doesn't happen," you're flat out wrong.

Is it as good as or better than traditional exercise? No. But can it supplement them? Can it work as a good step towards more intense activity? Can it be significantly less sedentary than traditional gaming if you want? Absolutely. Remember, not every exercise is a marathon or powerlift. Just getting outside and walking for twenty minutes a day makes a difference. You'd better believe a vigorous Wii Tennis session of comparable length could do the same.

My evidence is obviously anecdotal, but I'll happily let one of my friends -- a kung fu sifu who incorporated Wii Boxing into his workout for months -- hijack my account and post whatever details anyone would like.
 
The Wiimote is just a different control scheme, nothing more or nothing less.
Sure if you actually get up and jump around while playing Wii Sports it's pretty much exercise, but the vast majority of Wii games only work with you just sitting in front of the TV like you would with a normal controller.

Of course, Wii Fit seems to be a pretty good exercise tool, but then again it doesn't use the Wiimote.
 
[quote name='Kaijufan']The Wiimote is just a different control scheme, nothing more or nothing less.
Sure if you actually get up and jump around while playing Wii Sports it's pretty much exercise, but the vast majority of Wii games only work with you just sitting in front of the TV like you would with a normal controller.

Of course, Wii Fit seems to be a pretty good exercise tool, but then again it doesn't use the Wiimote.[/QUOTE]

Also true. It's game dependent. Not gonna feel much burn with Puzzle Quest.
 
[quote name='cuco33']Sadly parents in today's age have a tendency to give their kids game consoles and handhelds. It keeps them quiet, keeps them close by, etc. But the drawback is that kids get fat from lack of excercise. I'm all about getting the kid to be active and if combining 2 things, both gaming and excercise, I'm all for it.

Blame the parents for their kids being fat lil pigs or psychos, not the game industry.[/QUOTE]

It's the easy thing to blame parents today. But, why not look at why many parents (not all) do it. Many families have to work 50-60 hours a week, both parents. It's easy to say have one quit. But, if you want to live in a decent neighborhood (one where you don't have obvious crack houses on your block), many have to. Not everyone has family that will babysit the kids for free either.

Also, what do you want kids to do. You say, well, we played outside. Ok, many parks aren't there that use to be. Sure, you can go to a school to play, sometimes. But, if you go to play baseball, basketball, soccer, etc at a school, get ready to be kicked out when they prep the fields for "league" play (which is usually beer league softball or something like that), hours beforehand. Kids can't skateboard lots of places, because they fear liability.

It's fine if you have $100's of dollars to keep your kids in activiites. Many families just don't have that.

It's easy to blame video games and parents. But, it's a much deeper society issue.
 
[quote name='trq']It would probably help if you defined "gimmick" -- weight loss has been substantiated in a number of cases, so if you're arguing "it just doesn't happen," you're flat out wrong.

Is it as good as or better than traditional exercise? No. But can it supplement them? Can it work as a good step towards more intense activity? Can it be significantly less sedentary than traditional gaming if you want? Absolutely. Remember, not every exercise is a marathon or powerlift. Just getting outside and walking for twenty minutes a day makes a difference. You'd better believe a vigorous Wii Tennis session of comparable length could do the same.
[/QUOTE]

I'd agree with that. Like I said, I'm a bit of a health snob, so I'm going to turn my nose up at people calling walking for 20 minute exercise just the same as someone WiiFit or WiiSports.

Like I said, those are better than doing nothign, and could be a step toward getting more active as you said.

It's just not going to get someone out of shape in shape, much less change and overweight person's body etc. to any great degree.

Thus I call it a gimmick as it's not a substitute for real, rigorous excercise and a good diet.
 
[quote name='lordxixor101']It's the easy thing to blame parents today. But, why not look at why many parents (not all) do it. Many families have to work 50-60 hours a week, both parents. It's easy to say have one quit. But, if you want to live in a decent neighborhood (one where you don't have obvious crack houses on your block), many have to. Not everyone has family that will babysit the kids for free either.

Also, what do you want kids to do. You say, well, we played outside. Ok, many parks aren't there that use to be. Sure, you can go to a school to play, sometimes. But, if you go to play baseball, basketball, soccer, etc at a school, get ready to be kicked out when they prep the fields for "league" play (which is usually beer league softball or something like that), hours beforehand. Kids can't skateboard lots of places, because they fear liability.

It's fine if you have $100's of dollars to keep your kids in activiites. Many families just don't have that.

It's easy to blame video games and parents. But, it's a much deeper society issue.[/QUOTE]

I see the point, but where there's a will, there's a way. I've been working 60+ hours a week lately and still managed to get to the gym at least 4 times a week over this period.

Busy parents can still find time to take their kids for hikes on the weekend/evening. Go to a park and run around playing frisbee or something (don't need a field for that, any open area will do) etc. etc.

And most of all, regardless of time people can eat healthy. It generally doesn't take anymore time to cook a healthy meal than one full of fat. And obviously the same amount of time to pick up healthier carry out on the way home.

People are just too lazy to even take care of themselves in many cases, much less to also make sure their kids take care of themselves.
 
Don't forget larger portion sizes haven't helped obesity.

You need to get your heart rate into a fat burning zone, which the Wii just can't do.
 
it's probably better than nothing but then again it's just another excuse for not doing a real workout. i will say that i am assuming it's not as good going to be intense. if it's like a real aerobics workout then i'll concede my post.

it's become more and more obvious that people will look for any excuse so they don't have to blame themselves. if you are too lazy to go out for a run, go to the gym (you could afford it if you can afford a wii) or hike/basketball/etc. then by playing wii fit you are giving yourself an excuse on why you don't have to put the effort into a real workout.

we're all wasting time on this message board as it is. we also all have some sort of leisurely money that can be spent on a cheap stationary bike/weight set/etc. which will probably be much more beneficial then wii fitness. and if we say we have to deal with kids/job/obligations then why would we have time to play wii fitness? an exercise bike is pretty quiet and cheap. hell, you could even play a fun game while riding it! only difference is you might lose your breath once in a while which means it's working!

the thing is nintendo and the whole exercise industry knows that people want to make excuses for themselves and make things as easy as possible. it's just good business for them to market these gimmicks as equal alternatives to putting in real time and effort.
 
Well said (missing capitalization aside) pewing33ny.

That's pretty much a more elaborated version of why I think it's a gimmick as an "excercise" tool.
 
[quote name='dmaul1114']I'd agree with that. Like I said, I'm a bit of a health snob, so I'm going to turn my nose up at people calling walking for 20 minute exercise just the same as someone WiiFit or WiiSports.

Like I said, those are better than doing nothign, and could be a step toward getting more active as you said.

It's just not going to get someone out of shape in shape, much less change and overweight person's body etc. to any great degree.

Thus I call it a gimmick as it's not a substitute for real, rigorous excercise and a good diet.[/QUOTE]

Well ... yes and no. I don't disagree, but there are degrees of exercise. It's not a binary option, where you're Mr. Universe on one hand, or so big you're grafted to your couch on the other. The Wii ain't giving anyone a six pack, but that 20 minutes of walking, minor as it is to already reasonably fit folks, can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease.

[quote name='seanr1221']You need to get your heart rate into a fat burning zone, which the Wii just can't do.[/QUOTE]

I'll admit I haven't actually measured it myself, so you might be right, but Wii Boxing is basically shadowboxing with some built-in score keeping, and shadow boxing can absolutely get your heart rate into weight-loss levels. I think logic would dictate that if an exercise can do it, the same exercise while holding a wiimote wouldn't deliver significantly different results.

[quote name='pewing33ny']the thing is nintendo and the whole exercise industry knows that people want to make excuses for themselves and make things as easy as possible. it's just good business for them to market these gimmicks as equal alternatives to putting in real time and effort.[/QUOTE]

Or having a system that makes something most people don't look forward to into something fun is a good thing and should be encouraged. Besides, nobody is marketing anything as EQUAL; there are just studies saying there's a measurable effect. Just because surgeons who warm up on the Wii or who play games in general perform better at certain operations doesn't mean they're marketing consoles as a replacement for medical school.
 
[quote name='trq']Well ... yes and no. I don't disagree, but there are degrees of exercise. It's not a binary option, where you're Mr. Universe on one hand, or so big you're grafted to your couch on the other. The Wii ain't giving anyone a six pack, but that 20 minutes of walking, minor as it is to already reasonably fit folks, can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease.[/quote]

That I can agree with. But like I said, I'm a fitness snob to some degree and don't think anyone should set a goal of just doing a little walking to reduce the risk of heart disease.

People should all make an effort to eat right and exercise to be as healthy as possible and look their best. Now I'm not saying people need six packs, ripped biceps etc., just that everyone should strive to at least be in decent cardio-vascular shape and keep their body fat % at healthy levels.

Maintaining one's health should be everyone's top priority. Without your health, nothing else matters.
 
[quote name='dmaul1114']That I can agree with. But like I said, I'm a fitness snob to some degree and don't think anyone should set a goal of just doing a little walking to reduce the risk of heart disease.

People should all make an effort to eat right and exercise to be as healthy as possible and look their best. Now I'm not saying people need six packs, ripped biceps etc., just that everyone should strive to at least be in decent cardio-vascular shape and keep their body fat % at healthy levels.

Maintaining one's health should be everyone's top priority. Without your health, nothing else matters.[/QUOTE]

Fair enough. On a slightly different note, anyone notice that the primary article critical of the idea (which is to use the Wii as a first step towards fitness, not to replace it) is most prominent on, well, MSN? You know; the internet news portal that still directs me to some I'm-sure-it's-randomly-chosen-wink-wink Halo 3 tidbit whenever I log on?
 
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