Wii Tried It: Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010

Jogging behind Jillian Michaels I can't help but think how much I wish my butt was shaped like hers. Then I remember it's a video game. "Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010" for Nintendo Wii is sure to make you crave a digitally-perfected body, but it also offers the moves to help you sculpt a pretty solid real-world figure.

In true Michaels form, she's not going to let you off easy. The pre-programmed workouts will definitely get you sweating and your muscles burning. If you don't like the pre-set offerings, you can set up your own routine or pick any of the locations on the fictional island and take potluck on one of the moves.

This video is more about basic strength training than cardio, although similar to "30 Day Shred," Michaels incorporates cardio intervals, such as jumping jacks, to keep your heart rate up in between calisthenics.

Fans of "The Biggest Loser" trainer will recognize many of her moves, from side planks to sledgehammers. There is little that's new in the way of exercises, but they feel fresh in a video game setting and players can set resolutions and follow along on a calendar to keep on track of their progress.

Level of Difficulty
Intermediate.

Next Day Soreness
Minimal.

Who's It For?
The moves are not very complicated, but there is barely any cueing, therefore the game is not ideal for true beginners. There is an instruction booklet that gives some direction on how to do the exercises, but Michaels is surprisingly silent during the actual routines except to give basic feedback.

Likes
I like that Michaels doesn't loose her edge just on Wii. If you stop in the middle of a set she will tell you, "don't waste my time." That tough love attitude keeps you going, as does the variation of settings in the game. You can change the music, and even Michaels outfit, to suit your mood. Unlike Wii Fit Plus, the downtime in between sets is relatively short, and so you can keep your heart rate up and get in a decent workout. The pre-programmed circuits are well balanced, although it is a lot of fun to build your own.

Dislikes
For someone so vocal, there is a lot of silence during the actual exercises. While it's nice to listen to the waves crashing on the beach behind her and the rock music in the background, there could be much more cueing and checks on form. For those that already have great form on moves like a side plank or bicycle crunch, there are no advanced variations.

Working with the Wii remote is also challenging on a few moves. Even while following the directions, I never seem to hit the mark while doing oblique crunches, despite my careful form. As I started to worry about the Wii remote, my form suffered. Most exercises are well calibrated to the remote, but for some, playing the game may interfere with concentrating on getting the most out of every rep.

Bottom Line
If you're a fan of Michaels or an intermediate exerciser looking for a fun game to throw into the mix, Fitness Ultimatum 2010 is for you. While the moves are not novel, there is a reason that many of them are used by the best trainers in the world year after year: They work.

Want to know what else Jillian Michaels is up to? Check out what she has to say about her new show and upcoming yoga DVD.

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. We will review all things Wii Fit. Let us know how you like this game or any other Wii Fit game in the comments!

The Wii Fit console was sent to That's Fit by Nintendo for review purposes. Majesco Entertainment provided the software for review.