Learn About the Nintendo Wii
Fit
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The Nintendo Wii, is a new type of
video game system, that has created a craze amongst children of all
ages. The name Wii sounds like “we” which is meant to suggest that the
game is for everyone. Nintendo has now released the Wii Fit,
an exercise video game for the Wii console,
consisting of activities that utilize a balance board. This game
has 48 different sub-games and activities, some of which are not
available until being unlocked by building up credits in the "Fit Bank".
You will find that the quality of the exercise instruction is great and
the ability of the balance board and controller to monitor your good
form is incredible.
At Christmas we
purchased the
Wii Fit for my 13 year old daughter and she absolutely loves it.
In fact I found it to be extremely entertaining as well. In
typical Nintendo fashion this game is difficult to get. In fact I
went to three stores before I was able to locate it and that was in
November. So if you are interested in getting it plan in advance.
Cost for the Wii Fit
The
price is approximately $90 which includes both the
Wii Fit
software and the
Wii
Balance Board. Additional accessories can be purchased with the Wii
Fit 5-in-1 Fitness Bundle. The cost is approximately $60 and it
includes a travel bag, fitness mat, jeli sleeve, USB charging cable,
rechargeable battery pack and textured foot socks. You may or may not
be interested in all of these items so you need to do a cost
evaluation. The package is certainly cheaper than buying every item
separate.
It does take four AA batteries
which are included, so the rechargeable battery may be something that
you are interested in purchasing.
How to Play the Wii Fit
Before you start the
activities you will create your own profile. The Body Test is a short
and simple set of activities used to gauge your body's performance.
After choosing a virtual caricature of yourself called a Mii, you will
use the Wii Balance Board to measure your center of balance, Body Mass
Index (BMI), and body control. Based on the results, you will be
assigned a Wii Fit Age. Once you've completed the Body Test, you can
stamp the calendar, so you can keep track of your activity while playing
the game.
Wii Fit Activity log

The Wii Fit also
allows a player to keep track of activities outside of
the game, which are then added on to the player's
activity log, but not included in the daily exercise
time. These are divided into three categories:
- Light —
guitar, piano, stretching
- Medium —
cleaning, gardening, walking, painting
- Heavy —
sports such as soccer, tennis, swimming, cycling,
and dancing
The time allotted
to these are given a multiplier to show how they should
affect the player. Light activities are multiplied by
0.5, medium activities by 1 and heavy activities by 2.
Wii Fit Exercise
Activities

You can
use more than 40 activities and exercises, including strength training,
aerobics, yoga and balance games. The Wii Fit also tracks
the activities you do the most and puts them into the Favorites
category. You will find a unique combination of exercises, workouts, and
games.
Many of these activities focus towards providing a workout that
emphasizes slower, controlled motions.
The difficulty levels vary so that there is
something for everyone. As an incentive to keep you playing, you can
unlock additional games,
exercises, and
playing levels as you proceed.
 
-
Yoga: These exercises allow you
to work on your balance and flexibility with Yoga poses and
activities. Yoga is a lot harder than it appears so you will need to
maintain focus and balance for this option. The work-out trainers
walk you through each pose before you try it. It is a great way for
someone new to yoga to learn the poses. I have never done yoga and
I enjoyed it.
-
Strength Training:
Great muscle
toning exercises including: push ups, leg extensions, lunges,
arm and leg lift, torso twists, and more. You can't take any short
cuts here because the balance board measure the distribution of your
weight, movement and timing for each of the exercises. The trainer
on the screen will help you to do the moves properly.
-
Balance Games:
This is my
favorite option. These games are just plain old fun! My daughter,
being a travel soccer player, just loves the soccer head ball game.
The fun also includes balanced-based games like a ski slalom, ski
jump, penguin game, table tilt, tight rope and many more!
-
Aerobics:
These activities will definitely get your heart-pounding while you
are having a great time.
They include the hula hoop, dance step aerobics, running, and a
rhythm boxing routine
The
Wii Fit is a lot of fun for the entire family. You must remember
just like Wii Sports which will never turn you into a tennis pro
the Wii Fit is not going to make you super-fit.
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