First look at 'Wii Fit'
Can a video game get you in shape? Nintendo says that Wii Fit will definitely point you in the right direction. With more than 40 exercises and activities, the game helps you keep track of your BMI (body mass index) over a period of time, allowing you to become more aware of your body.
While the game may not have you losing pounds left and right, it'll certainly help you improve your balance and posture--it can even make you work up a sweat.
The Wii Fit package comes with the Wii Fit software and balance board. The board is quite sensitive, with four points of measurement able to sense the slightest of movements. You'll take part in yoga, aerobic, strength training, and balance game exercises all with the help of your virtual personal trainer. The game encourages you to participate in at least one activity a day so that you can more accurately track your progress.
Wii Fit goes on sale May 19 and will retail for $90.
After you've watched our First Look with Wii Fit be sure to also check out our Q&A with Nintendo and Wii Fit mastermind Shigeru Miyamoto.
Before covering games and gear for CNET Reviews, Jeff Bakalar dabbled in film and video production. An avid writer, reader, and gamer, Jeff is also an obsessive New Jersey Devils hockey fan. Catch him live every day as the co-host of CNET's infamous podcast, The 404. 
1.) You absolutely can and will lose weight if you put in the effort and time. Even 30 minutes a day as opposed to nothing is a major, major difference. This isn't an overnight effect, it's a long-term, cumulative effect.
2.) Many people will point out that you shouldn't use Wii Fit exclusively. I agree that using the Wii Fit in conjunction with a more rigorous routine could result in results more quickly, and would be more effective for building muscle, I believe that Wii Fit can provide a solution for Beginner to Intermediate routines. I'm going to guess that most people who are saying this have not tried Wii Fit. It will absolutely help lose weight and tone muscle. Browsing various gaming boards, I've heard posts change from 'how lame, my girl wants me to buy this' to 'man, this is fun, and I'm actually sore' esque posts.
3.) The weight tracking alone is excellent motivation for lifestyle changes outside of Wii Fit. If you watch your weight every day, you will be more likely to think over that tempting candy bar or other unhealthy choices.
4.) The Wii Fit can augment even the most advanced fitness routines. I'm currently training for a high level tennis tournament (1-2 hours on court every day, 3-4 days a week lifting, 2-3 days a week sprinting/running), and the Yoga and Strength training are *excellent* activities for stretching before a good workout, and for working on flexibility.
5.) The previous points relate to the included Wii Fit software alone. Wii Fit has outsold the Playstation 3 (that's right, the console) in Japan, is massively successful in Europe, and by all accounts has sold through in America... That's one hell of a lot of accessories that would be useful as a unique input method, and many developers are already working on titles integrating the Wii Fit board (which is incredibly precise I might add), incuding an upcoming 'skate' title by EA.
If your father has a Wii, I would say this would be an excellent idea minniesco, I just called my Mom today to let her know that this would be a great present for mine.
- by Poltraxx May 29, 2008 3:52 AM PDT
- I'm a 61 year old father and got a chance to try one this last weekend. It's a wonderful device.
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(5 Comments)The exercises are not too strenuous, but I did work up a sweat with the pushups and plank form.
I've done TaiChi and Yoga before, but always had a problem with the proper distribution of my weight. This device provides a nice biofeedback display of weight distribution. The problem now is going to be where I can find a unit for sale!