Nintendo Wii proves that video games can be good for you

by Martha Edwards (Subscribe to Martha Edwards's posts)
Jan 3rd 2007 12:38PM

Categories: Celebs & Entertainment, Reviews & Products, Nutrition & Supplements

When I was growing up, my brother and I weren't allowed to have a Nintendo. At the time, it seemed like a particularly cruel form of punishment, but in truth, my mom was really just looking out for our health. She wanted to make sure we spent more time being active outside instead of couped up in front of the TV for hours on end, until our eyes were square and our thumbs cramped into little claws. I think she was on to something -- the popularity of video games has been directly linked to the obesity epidemic.

But guess what? A new video gaming system, the Wii, actually has potential health benefits. The system involves a wireless handheld controller that mimics the players actions. The player's movements are then mimicked in the game and, depending on the activity, playing can actually be quite a workout. There are even a large number of Wii-related injuries that involve more than the thumb. Sure, the fresh air is lacking when playing Wii, but if it gives players some sort of full-body activity, that can't be a bad thing, right?

I've yet to try out the Wii and am intrigued. Is it a good workout?

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Comments (50)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Brian Arnold 1-03-2007 @ 5:28PM

I own a Wii - I camped out 11 hours in the cold at a Target to get one on release day.

I will say that the physical movements can be fun and make for a more entertaining means of play, but it's not necessarily a great workout all of the time.

The game that comes with the system, Wii Sports, uses mostly-realistic movements to control the characters on screen, but, you can also get away with minor movements. Simple flicks of the wrist are usually just as effective as full arm swings.

That being said, the movements are fun enough that most people play it all out anyways, and I've had friends get sore from too much tennis.

I've also broken a sweat boxing a friend, which was surprisingly tiring. :D

Laura Moncur 1-03-2007 @ 5:52PM

I tested the Wii with my heart rate monitor. You can see the full results at Starling Fitness:

http://www.starling-fitness.com/archives/2006/12/08/wii-would-like-to-play/

What I found was that it rarely got my heart rate into the cardio level and when it did, it was only for short amounts of time. My arms did feel sore the next day, but not nearly as much as a normal weight training routine would have done.

In the end, Wii is really fun, but not a really good workout. Maybe there will be more exercise-focused games that will be better, but for now, stick with a good run around the block.

Amy Mussay 1-07-2007 @ 1:19PM

Kids don't usually do weight training or run around the block so any video game system that gets kids on their feet moving instead of sitting on a couch using their thumbs is a step in the right direction. The great thing about the Wii is that all ages can enjoy it. My 70 year old mom and 3 year old nephew (who got 3 strikes in a row bowling) played together. That would never have happened with a traditional video game. Kudos to Nintendo for their creative insight to change and challenge the future of video games.

J P Joseph 1-07-2007 @ 8:10AM

I never was good at or liked hand held games, but I tried the bowling at my friends house and really enjoyed it. (Even though my wife beat me) I think i'll be getting a Wii, even if it doesn't promote a good workout.

amy disalvatore 1-07-2007 @ 7:55AM

I slept on the streets of manhatten in front of the Nintendo store. My sons face Christmas morning was priceless. The whole family spends hours playing with eachother.

Candis 1-07-2007 @ 8:01AM

It all depends on what your normal routine is, but for those who are couch potato's or sit and play games for hours, you will be challenged to get up off your rump and move around to play the Wii. We have had a few heated games at our house and yes some of us even broke a sweat. It's different and fun and gets everyone moving. I am looking forward to the Smooth Moves game coming out soon so I can hoola hoop.

George 1-07-2007 @ 8:57AM

The Wii is awesome I have had one sense November 19th I LOVE MY Wii

Junior 1-07-2007 @ 9:09AM

The boxing game can give you a serious workout if you jump around like you are truely boxing. The bowling is really fun. Tennis can also be played realistically if you have the room to move around.

Janice 1-07-2007 @ 9:10AM

I guess your mother hadn't read the research that shows that surgeons who played the old fashioned, hand-cramping video games have better hand/eye cooredination and are more skilled at delicate surgery than those who didn't play video games while growing up.

That was always the excuse I used for allowing my daughter to play the games.

Mary Hubbell 1-07-2007 @ 9:15AM

My 15 year old son is an avid gamer who weighs about 90 lbs. soaking wet and hardly needs to concern himself with workouts - but he has complained recently about his side and legs hurting from the "training" portion of the boxing game on the Wii Sports disk. I have played several rounds of Tennis & Bowling, and while I agree that it isn't a great cardio workout, anything that gets my fat butt up off the sofa has got to be better than the nearly comatose video game play of the past. Plus, I'm only 40 but have discovered that my Wii fitness age is 59! How embarassing. I'm motivated to exercise and keep trying to improve that. We love our Wii!

Alix Mechikoff 1-07-2007 @ 9:44AM

I own a Wii. I do think that when we are talking about that percentage of people that have health problems such as obesity due to lack of physical activity, it is a great workout. A little is so much better than none.
Now, there are other games out there that I do believe promote some better workouts. I use Guitar Hero for finger exercises when my fingers are worn from playing normal guitar, and it doesn't hurt my rhythm one bit or anything for me as a drummer as well. There is DDR which is a great work out system and I know many people who love the built in workout program. Ok so, those are music-based workouts... I can't say that I know too many gamers that are really into dancing, or even willing to play DDR, and also, I have the hardest time getting the ones I know to play Guitar Hero because well it's music and that usually comes up when they're scripting or something and want to put music up in some part of a world where they create all sorts of stuff like in Second Life. Aside from DDR, these other "motion" games have a workout, and as little as it may be, for some people it might just be enough to produce enough endorphins that they'll come back for more and play even harder. The worst is when they do absolutely nothing, miss meals, go through the day with dark circles under their eyes, bloodshot, and pale skin only comparable to something from a horror film. When you do even the smallest of workouts, your body is going to probably want some kind of nourishment, instead of going into "catatonic-gamer-mode" where eating in the game is enough stimulation to cover a meal. I have many brothers and my family are gamers, I've seen this hundreds of times.
I also know older people who can no longer play tennis or other Wii Sports sports. Even quadriplegic people can play sports on the Wii that they may not have been able to play before. This is a major thing for some of these people because it provides a way to do things that a lot of them just accepted as bold on the "can not do" list.
This topic starts off with saying that the Wii proves video games can be good for you... Since when have video games been bad for you? As far as I know for any sport or workout or anything even running marathons especially, "In order to train the body, you must first train the mind." Think about it! Ok, stop not too hard, but seriously, how do we walk?? Yes, it's a fun motion of constant falling and catching, but really, do we even think about it so much? One of the first games I played was treasure math storm or the oregon trail. I was little, and I worked on math with it, learning how to work with a simple interface. Even later on I was one of the faster typists just because I got plenty of practice playing computer games.
Let us look at today's society. Where is it going? Towards the computer and electronic side I think. What better way to learn how to use the technology and interfaces that Human Factors teams are putting together, than to turn it into a game? They design it based on what they think is user friendly. Why do we have so many "wizards" for programs and things? Because some of it is too hard for people, especially if they have no practice with it. Overall, I think every game has something to offer that's good for you. A mental workout is my favorite kind, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Stan Sekula 1-07-2007 @ 9:51AM

I have never really enjoyed video games,but I have really enjoyed this system and yes I get very sore from playing.But I do go all out in batting and bowling.
We got it for our son and the family really enjoys playing together.
Blessings

jason 1-07-2007 @ 4:12PM

I worked at a gamestop during the previous season (Nov-Jan) and I must say, getting excercise from this game is a deffinate, I haven't heard any customers complaining about injuries, but I have heard them complain about the shortage. If you have a Wii and plenty of games, good for you, take advantage of games like Red Steel, LoZ:TP(Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess), and soon to be released Wii play (it has tons of mini-games on it). If you don't have a Wii and want one, you'll be waiting, right now they are selling like hot cakes, if a store has one, grab it before someone else can.

Josh M. 1-07-2007 @ 9:58AM

I am really looking foward to getting a Wii except for the fact that Wii is sold out almost everywhere!!!

Sarah 1-07-2007 @ 10:00AM

My oldest brother got a Wii for his birthdayin November, my entire family got up to play! I think that the Wii sports game that comes with the system is a workout, especially if you're not really a gamer. The whole family was jumping around and punching and batting and we all felt it the next day. ok, you might not lose 30 pounds but i could see a good 5 or 10.... and it's so muh fun!

Tricia 1-07-2007 @ 10:11AM

I got a Wii for Christmas this year and play it quite a bit. The game that comes with the system, Wii Sports, is the best workout of the games I have seen. The boxing game made my arms sore for a couple of days, but I was REALLY getting into it and punching as hard as I would've been hitting a real person. Like Brian said, you can usually get away with sitting on the couch and flicking your wrist to control the character, but I like to stand up and play full out. I suppose it is all about how much you put into it. I have one other game for the system, Trauma Center: Second Opinion, and it has no workout benefits at all. So, not every Wii game is as physical as others.

Pat 1-07-2007 @ 10:21AM

Although playing the Wii may not be a good substitute for an hour at the gym, it certainly qualifies as a work out for the average gamer. In my own experience, I snacked less, drank more water, and stayed on my feet instead of my butt for much longer. I've never broken a sweat playing a video game before Wii sports and never felt sore muscles, aside from my back from sitting to long. All in all, there are definitely some health benefits to playing the Wii.

Lauren 1-07-2007 @ 10:29AM

You can easily sit and play all these games. With two lazy brothers, believe me, I know.

Yvonne 1-07-2007 @ 10:27AM

My son's arm are getting in great shape thanks to Wii boxing. However, my face didn't fair well when I inadvertently walked in front of him while he was playing. A fist to the face is no fun...but the Wii sure is!

Alyce Horwat 1-07-2007 @ 10:31AM

My 8 year old son loves video games and I have always been concerned about his lack of activity while playing them. We finally were able to find a Wii to purchase and he has been on his feet when playing video games ever since! He had a slightly sore arm from playing tennis but was ready to play again the next day. I feel much better about the time he spends playing video games knowing that at least he is getting some excercise while doing so.

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