Wii Fit: Overrated Benefits?

Since the Nintendo Wii was introduced in 2006, it has soared past Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's Playstation 3 in sales. What makes the Wii such a popular buy? Many people report that, although the Wii doesn't have as many well-developed or popular games as the Xbox 360 and PS3, they like it because it is interactive, good for parties, and is more healthy that other systems which require little activity.

One of the newest additions to the Wii lineup is the Wii Fit system. The system, now down to $89 in price, is highly popular in the Wii community. Those who choose to purchase this gadget will get a balance board, which doesn't look very exciting at all but has many features. The board recognizes weight and weight distribution. Users can use it in many different ways: they can enter their height to calculate their Body Mass Index (BMI), keep a chart of their weight changes, or perfect their stance by finding their center of balance.

The Wii Fit also has many exercise plans built into the standard game. Users can practice various yoga stances, aerobics, strength training, and balance training. The game's built-in fitness instructors will help the user perfect the stretch by pointing out if they're distributing their weight incorrectly. They cheer users on and work right along with them, counting every stretch or pose. Users can even blend different poses, stretches, and games into a customized plan based on their needs, (weight loss, cardio, etc.)

Many people purchase this product with the sole hope that it will help them get healthy, but are the benefits really as good as users think? Many health professionals say no, the Wii is not a good exchange for actual exercise. But what about those die-hard couch potatoes who haven't seen the track since high school gym class? Well, first off, the balance board has a maximum weight limit of 300-330 pounds so not everyone can use it. Also, users don't get all the benefits that they might get from going outside or hitting the gym. The Wii has limited capabilities. Users are pretty much limited to what they can do within the room and on the board. The system is great for things like stretching, but jogging isn't as good as it could be. Also, there is a limit to strength training. Users can use their own weights while doing curls, but it isn't really a suggestion made by the game. Ten bicep curls a day only goes so far. It would take someone who is dedicated to a fitness plan to get the most out of these games, as we could very easy choose only the lowest setting and see no benefits.

There have been some medical issues related to the Wii Fit, but these are all common sense issues that could be avoided. Some issues attributed to the Wii Fit are lower back pain, tendinitis (tennis elbow), and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, according to an article from Scottsdale Community College. These are typically attributed to overuse. I know firsthand that, when you first purchase this system, it's hard to stop playing. The games are fun and interactive, and players automatically feel the benefits in the form of a sweaty and worn-out body. This is all good until the next morning when it's almost impossible to get out of bed.

Like any other exercise program, it's important to do things in moderation. Users should start slow and be sure to stretch before working. Repetitive actions should be minimal, as these could lead to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Overall, users would benefit from a light start that builds into more intense workouts later on to avoid a dangerous dive into a killer fitness plan. Of course, there are also other injuries that could occur, including eye damage caused by staring at the television for hours on end, especially for those of us who primarily play at night so our relatives don't giggle at our hula-hooping. Other injuries often include flying remotes, despite Nintendo's plea for users to use the wrist straps on every start up.

As far as family fun, the Wii Fit board does fall behind the system's usually standards. Only one board can be used at a time, so for multi-player games, players can't really do head-on challenges. It would seem that if there were more group oriented uses for the balance board, it would continue to grow in popularity, as the rest of the Wii lineup has.This is a little disappointing, but fully understandable as the balance board is a new addition and will surely see many upgrades in the near future.

In short, the Wii Fit would be a fantastic addition to the couch potato's nightly lineup. For those of us who are less than physically fit, the Wii does work to make us stretch, work, and sweat, even if we do cheat now and then and fib about our jog time. For everyone else, it might be a fun addition to the household, even if it's not as useful as your current fitness plan.

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/health/2008/06/more-from-our-w.html
http://www.scccampusnews.com/wii-fit-injuries-1.1222484