Let's be honest - does the Wii & Wii fit actually make you fitter?

Soldato
Joined
6 Sep 2005
Posts
3,782
Hi guys

The Mrs has been saying about getting a Wii and Wii Fit after having a go on a friends machine.

What I'd like to know is if they *really* are able to make you fitter, healthier and more productive (and probably calm as well).

I understand the theory but remain unconvinced that a £100 thin piece of plastic can make that much of a difference.

We're not looking at a Wii for a games machine, but as an exercise aid for:
Improving fitness
Losing weight
Improving strength / core stability
Hopefully helping to cure weak and painful back problems.


So, those of you that have them, please tell me your experiences and if you would recommend them!
 
Or you could spend the £100 on about 6 months gym membership


Thanks for the thought, been there and done that though...and found that there either wasn't a lot of time, or very little motivation to go...gyms are dull, and a fair distance from us.

I am aware of the other possibilities, including running around the local park, but it's feedback on the Wii I'm interested in please.

Cheers :)
 
I understand the theory but remain unconvinced that a £100 thin piece of plastic can make that much of a difference.

We're not looking at a Wii for a games machine, but as an exercise aid for:
Improving fitness
Losing weight
Improving strength / core stability
Hopefully helping to cure weak and painful back problems.

It is actually quite a sturdy bit of kit - capable of sustaining the weight of a person up to 24 stone if i remember correctly which is enough for me to prove its build quality.

It all depends on how you use it. I use it for the muscle exercises which are actually quite strenuous, my girlfriend can't actually complete the press ups activity as it's too hard for her and she is quite a healthy girl, runs a few miles every other day. It WILL get you fit if you stick with it, but like all exercise it isn't a magic weight loss device - time, patience and dedication are needed and, if you have time, other outdoor exercise will help improve its effectiveness.

It costs the same as a budget exercise bike, while the bike will provide a more effective exercise means, Wii fit is more varied and fun which, as i'm sure you know is incredibly important when trying to get fit - if you get bored, you will stop.
 
I would like to add a summation:

Wii fit is not a stand alone tool that will get you fit, it is however a great device for monitoring your fitness and getting in some light exercise when you usually wouldn't be able to.
 
You get out of it what you put in to it.
If you find the Wii Fit will draw your interest, then there's no reason why you couldn't do an hours moderate exercise on it a few nights a week with an aim to lose some weight. Taking into consideration diet, etc.
 
Maybe start learning Tennis together? That's what my parents do. It improved their relationship, and they have also aged well and have great fitness.
 
I use it for muscle exercises and it gave me a fairly toned stomach. It can be quite strenuous as long as you put the effort in. It's not gonna help if you cheat at the exercises or only use it every other week. It's a lot more fun than going to the gym and it allows you to add outside exercises onto your time so you can see how much exercise you actually do.
It won't make you fit overnight just like anything really.
 
my girlfriend can't actually complete the press ups activity as it's too hard for her and she is quite a healthy girl, runs a few miles every other day.

I cant complete the press ups activity because the board just isnt wide enough for me :(
 
I cant complete the press ups activity because the board just isnt wide enough for me :(

That is an issue i'll admit. When doing normal press ups i can do 20-30, on the wii-fit board i'm struggling after 5 due to my hands being right under my chest. I just view it as a more intense activity than normal press ups :)
 
As previously said it is a great monitoring tool.

I like it and use it sort of regulary, broke my sternum, collar bone and arm a few months back and am using it to help. I still do not have the strength to do all of the muscle activities but the yoga is surprisingly good.

Also watching people hula is a good laugh.
 
I found that the novelty of it wore off quite quickly. If you stick with it, it could be a useful tool to supplement other exercise that you do but i found that by the time i had it all set up, i could have been cycling for 10 minutes.

I had trouble the doing press ups with my hands so close together too.
 
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