Wii Fit Plus: Wii Tried It

Posted on Feb 9th 2010 3:00PM by Katherine Tweed

Filed Under: Fitness, Reviews & Products

Here at That's Fit, we are no stranger to at-home workouts. One of the most exciting ways to break a sweat in your living room in recent years is the Nintendo Wii Fit. As games continue to hit the market, we will review all things Wii Fit.

After working on my Wii bowling game and fine tuning my Wii golf game, 2010 seemed like the right time to try out the plethora of Wii Fit games, which are as much about getting you in shape as they are about having fun. After about 30 minutes, I synced the balance board and I was finally ready to go with Nintendo's Wii Fit Plus (reading the directions carefully would have saved some time). A small Wii balance board on the screen talked me through the program in a high-pitched voice. I stepped on the white platform to have my body mass index and balance measured. My BMI was normal, which I knew, but my balance was just a little bit off -- to the left to be exact. That came as a surprise, but as a competent snowboarder and regular exerciser, I wasn't too concerned.

Then I did a series of balance tests that determine my "Wii Age." Despite being just under 30 in real life, my Wii character was 36! While doctors often refer to your biological age as determined by lifestyle habits, including diet, smoking and cardiovascular health, on the Wii, it all comes down to balance. Balance is especially important as we all age, especially to prevent falls. However, for those of us without an AARP membership, I was curious to see how the Wii Fit would help my overall fitness, not just my balance.

A friendly trainer walked me slowly through the different strength, yoga and aerobics moves (you can pick a male or female trainer). A little too slowly. In between moves, he told me to "keep working at it every day," or "good job, you'll get stronger the more you work out." The downtime my little red-lipped avatar had to endure in between exercises meant my heart rate never really climbed. (The red lips seemed to work for bowling, but I have to admit she looks a little gussied-up in yoga pants.)

That's not to say that Wii Fit Plus isn't a lot of fun. Hula hooping in a setting that was definitely inspired by the "Sonny & Cher" show made me downright giddy, even if I didn't break a sweat. My skateboarding skills are lacking, but I'm sticking with it until I get better. Ditto on juggling.

Level of Difficulty
Beginner

Next Day Soreness
None.

Who's It For?
The different moves, or circuits, are great for beginners or people who are looking to improve their strength and balance. A 2009 study from the University of Queensland in Australia found that women age 30 to 60 increased their balance and leg strength after using the Wii Fit twice a week for 10 weeks. They didn't, however, see a change in their weight, cardio endurance or mobility. Kids will love some of the more active games, such as hula hooping, but for adults and children alike, it shouldn't replace regular sports and exercise. It's a great replacement to just vegging out in front of the TV as a family though.

Likes
I'm much better at hula hooping on Wii Fit Plus than I am in real life! The interactivity allows you to see the small wobbles in your balance as you perform exercises, such as a single leg extension. The immediate feedback is inspiring to do the exercises again and agani until you see improvement.

Dislikes
Even if you program an entire circuit and you've done the exercises before, there's a lot of coaching and downtime in between the moves, so your blood never really gets pumping. I would have also liked some more compound movements to get a little more bang for your buck if you're only going to spend 20 or 30 minutes exercising.

Bottom Line
If you like to work out at home and you're looking for something a little more interactive (for yourself or the kids), Wii Fit Plus is great. You can track your progress and set goals. However, for more advanced exercisers, there isn't much that's new, although the aerobics games sure are fun.

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Tags: exergaming, nintendo wii, NintendoWii, wii fit, wii fit plus, wii-tried-it

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

kristen 2-09-2010 @ 3:42PM

if you do the routine it goes by a little more faster
i love it as an addition to my regular routine. The new feature telling you how many calories you have burned is great for people who keep track of that info

Brandy 2-09-2010 @ 4:02PM

wii fit plus is fun but to get a real workout you must try EA Active Personal Trainer and EA Active More workouts. Now those give you a complete full body workout that leave you dripping in sweat and sore!

JC 2-11-2010 @ 6:56AM

I agree, I recently purchase EA Active, and it does make me sweat, I love it and am able to stick with it. Next week I will get a treadmill where I can do a lot of walking, this will help tone my legs and buttocks. I am going to get the 2nd one (EA fitness) and will make myself keep this up. I'm in my forties and can't sit around anymore.

michiko147 2-10-2010 @ 1:33AM

I am seriously considering getting this. It seems very fun and, as mentioned, a great alternative to watching TV. When it comes down to it, though, I think Dance Dance Revolution would be a better choice over this for the days you happen to skip the gym.

Elizabeth 2-11-2010 @ 7:44AM

As a slightly overweight user, I usually use the combine routines. I select all and do 2-3 repetitions and that goes through much faster than trying to select each activity individually. In addition, I've added light weights to several of the activities (triceps curl, Bird's Eye flying,...)... And if you're not breaking a sweat off the hulahoop, then your not gyrating your hips fast enough... After doing the routine, I'll go back and do a couple of my 'favorite' games and play them in advanced settings. I was sore after the first time I used it.

Nicole 2-11-2010 @ 8:07AM

I agree with a lot of what was written here with one exception. Where advanced excercisers may not really get their blood pumping..the trainers to encourage you as you continue to workout, to try using weights as you get more accustomed to the workouts..they suggest hand weights or even a bottle of water in each hand to start increasing your strength..I was doing this after a week of daily workouts. I had stopped feeling the "burn", so I picked up a few hands weights...it made a huge difference! Its an awesome excercise tool especially for moms with little ones at home!

Sherri 2-11-2010 @ 9:35AM

I agree with Nicole. Like any workout, you get out of it what you put in and can advance the level of the workout in many ways. Wrist and ankle weights work great. If you have a step from step aerobics, you can put the balance board on top of it to increase the level of activity on the step exercises.

Katherine 2-11-2010 @ 9:12AM

Well, I've lost over 40 lbs using the original Wii Fit. Yes, I was not fit at all when I started but I can craft a workout that makes me sweat bullets. The key is to do 30 minutes of aerobic activity. It's deceptively effective.

For the person that is already at fitness professional level, this is not for you. But for the majority of Americans who are have obese BMIs (like me, though I'm finally on the low end), this is the perfect way to get started and gives you something you can maintain.

My husband runs because of the Wii Fit, something he never did before in 42 years of life. And it's something he will not do in public. So, thank you Wii Fit for giving us what we need.

Angiebaby 2-11-2010 @ 9:13AM

Told her she was old, huh? Eff that. I don't need some new, expensive technology exercise toy to tell me that. That's what useless husbands and mean ass kids are for....

My Wii needs to tell me I'm in better shape than I thought, everything will be high and tight again sooner than it thought, that I have the heart and lungs of a 30-year-old, and rejoice over every bit of sweat that pours out of my body like they're drops of friggin' blood.

Marihunter 2-11-2010 @ 11:40AM

As a 46 year old user - it is disappointing when it tells you that you are older than you are but it is kind of ego boosting when it tells you a younger age. My Wii fit age has ranged from 20-63 but mainly high 20's-low 30's, which gives me hope that I haven't totally ruined my body in my younger years.

Ellen 2-11-2010 @ 7:18PM

It's a real ego-booster for this 49 year old to be told she's a "Wii Fit" 32 -- especially on the days when my 14 year old ages out at "Wii Fit" 27!
Definitely better than vegging in front of the TV, Wii Fit makes me WANT to move more -- nothing wrong with that!

Susan 2-11-2010 @ 9:19AM

I am 85 years old, have been active all my life, and when our local Curves went belly up, I got a Wii Plus. I LOVE it. I've worked mostly on the balance and coordination exercises and have noticed a slow improvement. After you finish the basic stuff, there are advanced parts of most of the exercises, so you can go on to something harder after you master the lower level. My biggest problem is not to overdo it.

Tara 2-11-2010 @ 12:59PM

85?! Way to go! You are an inspiration.

Samantha 2-11-2010 @ 9:19AM

I recently purchased the Wii-Fit Plus - so recently actually, that I haven't even tried it out. The first one was a lot of fun, especially the aerobics one where you can just keep stepping on and off the board but watch tv at the same time with it just in the background.

However, I've been using the EA Active Personal Trainer since June of last year and since the first week of January 2010, the newer EA Active More Workouts. In the almost 6 weeks since I started using the latter, I've noticed lots of toning up and have dropped over an inch from my waist and thighs and an inch and a half from my hips. It really makes you sweat, even on just the low intensity workouts! Well worth a look!

For those of you like me who prefer to exercise in the comfort of your own home, any of these games are brilliant! The Wii-Fit really helps start you off.

lorie 2-11-2010 @ 9:39AM

There's no lag time between exercises if you customize your yoga and strength training by setting up your own series of exercises. I have used the Wii Fit Plus for two months and have increased my core strength and now only drive into the gym once a week. The Wii does it all.
Lorie

revans1155 2-11-2010 @ 2:40PM

I didn't know you could customize?? Is that in the instructions somewhere?? I like the system overall but agree with others that the trainer is REALLY annoying once you know the poses and exercises! It would be a much more efficient exercise tool (for me anyway) if I could turn off the trainer part. Thanks!

pd39 2-11-2010 @ 10:15AM

My Wii has told my my age as low as 27 and as high as 74. When I first began using it, naturally I was not very good. As I used it more and gained proficiency at the various contests/challenges, my Wii age came down. I enjoy the games, and usually play the bowling/golf/baseball games for about 30 minutes to warm up, then I go to the fit and do exercises for another hour or more. The boxing game is very frustrating because it seems I throw 4-5 punches for each on that the Wii picks up. a good work out, but frustration when you are challenging your previous best for points.

As far as the "age" Wii gives, I tend to be most consistently in the mid 30s, which I am quite satisfied with. Ms. Tweed would do good to establish a regular workout schedule if she is unhappy with a toy telling her she is 6 years older than her real age. Or perhaps she should not have such an egotisticaly high estimation of her own physical condition.

As I said, my Wii fluctuated between telling me I was 27 to 74, and as I grew comfortable with the exercises, pretty now consistently lists me in the mid 30s range.

My actual age? 65!

Annette 2-11-2010 @ 10:14AM

I absolutely love wii fit It keeps me motivated the rhythm boxing, rhythm kung fu are my favorite.

Mj 2-11-2010 @ 10:54AM

There are many newer and much more difficult Wii programs available. Work on this one until you are at least your real age, then get a new and more difficult program.

Get a grip, fitness can fun and still be a good workout!! And it is much cheapier and easier to make yourself go in and do the work!!

Holly 2-11-2010 @ 11:08AM

Being only 6 years older is good on the WiiFit. I'm 20 and it told me I was 44 the first time I played. Now I'm down to being actually 20 according to the WiiFit.

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