"Avatar Individualized By Physical Characteristic," is what Microsoft is claiming. "Linking the avatar to a physical characteristic of a user provides leverage to provide incentives or constraints that can encourage good behavior (e.g., healthy behaviors, virtuous behaviors, etc.)," says the patent.

So therefore, if you're fat, your avatar will be fat - or vice versa. And so Microsoft proposes that your avatar's conditioning would be reflected in its capabilities within a game, or unlocking a budgeted amount of time to play, or just making the little guy look all buff and hawt.

As a parental control, its use is quite clear. For the individual gamer, it sounds to me like an opt-in thing, whereby if you've been feeling bad about all the Hot Pockets and three-hour gaming sessions, you turn on this feature. Sort of like fridge locks, noise reminders and other (in my opinion, abusive) gadgets from the dieting craze.

How is it going to know what the real you looks like? The patent offers that Microsoft would get the info through a "third-party health data collection repository," I guess to which the player belongs and links to his or her Xbox Live account. Or, says the filing "a real-time physiological sensor (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate, blood glucose, peak flow, pedometer, etc.)" Yay! Sounds like more peripherals.

1Up, which spotted the filing, points out that Nintendo's already explored this to some extent in Wii Fit, where your Mii gets porky if the game decides you're overweight. In this case, Microsoft wants to link some sort of tangible benefit to a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

Those are honorable intentions, but given the butthurt that went up when Wii Fit started calling kids fat, I can't see this ending well. Just last night I screwed around with my avatar - which I always set to large size because, hey, I have a beer gut - and was appalled when I tried on the Vault 101 suit, which is not slimming at all. (My avatar normally wears an untucked golf shirt.) And that's with the existing body type templates. Before they do this Xbox Live should implement a "suck your gut in" button, like, click and hold the right thumbstick or something.

Microsoft Patents "Avatar Individualized By Physical Characteristic" System [1Up via HBG]

*And Sabrina the Teenage Witch — but I liked Clarissa better.

The Nintendo-funded study, led by the National Institute of Health and Nutrition in Tokyo, measured the metabolic equivalent values, or METs, generated by participating in Wii Fit and Wii Sports activities. METs are a standard way of measuring energy expenditure, with moderate intensity exercise defined as any activity with METs of 3.0 or above.

By far the most effective exercise in the study was Wii Fit's single-arm stand, which at 5.6 EMTs was just under the AHA's definition of vigorous activity, which kicks in at 6.0.

The loser? Wii Sports Golf didn't make the cut, falling in at 2.0 METs, which isn't really surprising when you consider that most of your exercise in golf comes from walking and drinking.

Here are the results as they stand:

Wii Fit Single-Arm Stand: 5.6 METs
Wii Sports Boxing: 4.5 METs
Wii Sports Tennis: 3.0 METs
Wii Sports Baseball: 3.0 METs
Wii Sports Golf: 2.0 METs

So aside from single-arm standing, the study proves that hitting imaginary people is a healthy way to spend your day. Good to know!

Nintendo Wii may provide actual exercise: study [Reuters]

I recently, briefly, tried the revised boxing game programmed into November's Wii sequel EA Sports Active More Workouts. And I was chided, kindly, by the EA trainer showing me the game.

He said I was throwing my punches like a programmer.

I wasn't jabbing and hooking, Wii Remote and Nunchuk in hands, with gusto. I was, I didn't realize, just making short moves.

Just this past spring, different EA representatives had trained me out of the bad habits of shortening my Wii-playing gestures. They did this while demoing the extra-sensitive modes of EA's latest tennis and Tiger Woods games. These modes proved how a Wii Remote enhanced with the Motion-Plus add-on, could detect the difference between a player who swung their arm fully and those who just flicked their wrist. The Wii Remote's acceleration sensors could be fooled by those two types of motion. But the position-detection in the MotionPlus could not. It could not be tricked. It would recognize a wrist-flick into a chip shot in Tiger and reserve big drives for full-arm swings.

What I learned in the spring I must have un-learned for the fall.

With no MotionPlus engaged for EA Sports Active More Workouts, I was back to my cheating ways. My punches were short. Can we say I was just trying not to hurt anyone at a public event? Apparently my EA-public-demo punching style is also the fighting style of EA programmers. Presumably this is not because they are lazy but because it is easier to test and replay a fitness game by taking a motion shortcut than by knocking oneself out throughout the day.

The new EA fitness game doesn't support the Wii add-on, but it does have a host of other features to distinguish it from its recent predecessor, June's EA Sports Active.

It includes a six-week workout program and a more interactive fitness calendar. It includes core/ab workouts, something the first game omitted. It has an overall count of 35 new exercises. Yoga-stretching has been added as well, by popular demand, EA claims — though it does cost them the talking point from the first game that EA Sports Active is the sweat-inducing Western complement to the gentler strain of Wii Fit's Eastern balance-based routine.

The new game has plenty to exercise the player who wants it. As proof, a public relations specialist working on the game answered Kotaku's challenge and demonstrated the game's new obstacle course mode. She ran (in place) until her avatar reached a lunge station. She lunged until she was prompted to run more. Then she hit another upper-body exercise. She finished, mildly winded.

There may well have been ways to cheat all the exercises I saw. But that's how it goes with games and fitness — users are pulled by the gravity to find shortcuts, be they cheat codes or less-than-complete sit-ups.

The lack of MotionPlus support may make it harder for users of the new game to resist temptations to cut their moves short and cheat, but as with the use of all fitness products, the user would just be cheating themselves. Oh, this is how it is for all kinds of fitness training, right? You need to want it.

The Cyberbike comes from European publisher Bigben Interactive, who generally deal more in video game accessories than they do full0-fledged titles, and when you get right down to it, the Cyberbike contains a lot more accessory than it does game. The game that comes packed-in places you in the role of an eco-citizen, using your head and legs to clean up the planet. You clear pollution by riding over land, sea, and air, powering your strange vehicles with your feet.

The game is due for release in January 2010, and in case you are worried about only having one game to use it with, the Cyberbike is also compatible with Mario Kart Wii, so there is that at least. I'm not seeing any word on pricing, but I'd estimate the European release will run somewhere around more than you are willing to pay.

Scroll down for a look at the bike next to a rather petite woman, as well as a screenshot of what you'll be doing with the bike once you have it.

Moore, the EA Sports honcho, was motivated to pose a 30-day EA Sports Active Challenge by Obama's recent comments to the American Medical Association. And a need to sell more EA Sports Active.

Much of Moore's post reads like a press release, but he's probably right about this: "I'd be willing to bet there are more consoles getting far more use in American homes than there is exercise equipment, so it's up to us to continue to use the platform for good."

As for Obama, he and his speechwriters need to cut it already with the tendentious mentions of video games as something fundamentally slothful. Like anyone in that audience hasn't heard it before. In fact, that's three mentions in the past 10 days. If he, a law professor and lecturer, can't make the point that things like family togetherness, parental involvement, and physical fitness are positives on their merits alone, then how is shaming and cliché going to do much better?

EA's Peter Moore Challenges Obama [GamePolitics]

As part of their ongoing campaign to promote physical fitness and Nintendo products, GameStop employees in Los Angeles were forced to don heavy fat suits and behave in a comical fashion in order to prove once and for all that fat people are hilarious. Being slightly overweight myself, I can attest to this fact. It must be glorious to be able to take off that suit at the end of the day though. *sheds a single tear*

The employees pictured are at the Empire Center in Burbank, one of two locations that had comically chubby employees rolling around while demonstrating fitness titles such as Wii Fit, My Fitness Coach, and Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum. They obviously don't get paid enough.

What I am worried about here is the poor overweight GameStop employee standing there as they were handing out the suits, reaching out his porkpie fingers with hope only to have his suit passed to someone who actually needed it. I am going to call this fictional employee Arnold Ralph, and maybe write a song about him someday.

From now until February 22nd, shoppers that spend more than $34.99 on select fitness-themed products (Wii Fit, My Fitness Coach, etc.) at GameStop will be eligible for a free 12-month subscription to one of a number of magazines traditionally marketed towards the more mature female reader. Choices include Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Redbook, Good Housekeeping, O Magazine, and more. You know, the ones they put right next to the cash registers at supermarkets in order to catch the shopper's eye.

A bit female-centric, but single guys are welcome to participate as well. After all, having women's magazines strewn about your apartment are half of the whole girlfriend experience.

Gear up for Overall Fitness in 2009
GameStop Showcases Games Designed to Shape Both Body and Mind

GRAPEVINE, Texas—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Are you looking for an alternative to working out at a gym for shaping up in the New Year? GameStop (NYSE: GME), the world's largest video game and entertainment software retailer, encourages would-be fitness enthusiasts to embrace video games in their effort to shape up in 2009. By highlighting popular gaming titles that burn calories and exercise the brain, GameStop can show anyone dreading the prospect of the gym these alternative fitness methods that are both easy to follow and fun.

With the recent surge in active video games, which require players to either mimic the actions used in sports like bowling, tennis and baseball, or to flex their most important muscle – the brain – GameStop has more than 40 fitness-oriented titles for staying in shape from head to toe. GameStop’s “Sharpen the Mind, Shape the Body” in-store promotion emphasizes the growing number of active video game options available to help reach personal goals including:

Wii Fit with Balance Board
My Fitness Coach
Jillian Michaels’ Fitness Ultimatum 2009
Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day
My Japanese Coach

As a special incentive, shoppers spending $34.99 or more on designated products from now through Feb. 22 will receive a free 12-month trial subscription to their choice of Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Redbook, Good Housekeeping, O Magazine and more.

“We know that getting in shape is one of the toughest New Year’s resolutions to stick with, especially for busy moms who often don’t have time to spare for exercise,” said Mike Hogan, Senior Vice President of Marketing, GameStop. “Today’s moms are looking for ways to incorporate exercise into their lifestyle. Active video games are a terrific way to reach your fitness goals, and as an added bonus, they can be enjoyed with your whole family.”

Studies conducted by the Mayo Clinic* have found that active gaming titles can help players lose weight and improve their motor function. GameStop’s expert store associates can help aspiring total fitness connoisseurs select the right titles for their interests and skill levels. For more information or to find a store near you, log on to www.gamestop.com.

* Mayo Clinic research study findings published in the January 2007 issue of Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Association of Pediatrics.

The Jog, or jOG in hipster screwed-up capitalization marketing speak, is a device that connects between your system's controller and the console, requiring that you run in place in order to move your character. It sounds like pure bliss, doesn't it? Well it should, dammit.

“Obesity is reaching epidemic proportions in the Western world, and many sedentary activities are being blamed, not least playing video games,” explains Brendan Ludden, Managing Director, New Concept Gaming. “jOG is a great way to banish those criticisms, and help gaming be both fun and healthy. We want to make video games good for you!”

Right now the jOG controller is only available in the UK, as exposing Americans to the product would most likely result in sarcastic blog articles, and we wouldn't want that.

NEW CONCEPT GAMING'S INNOVATIVE VIDEO GAME CONTROLLER jOG ON SALE NOW

To move in the game – you have to jOG!

Liverpool, 26 November 2008: New Concept Gaming Ltd, a company dedicated to the development and sale of ground breaking products bridging the video game and health and fitness industries, today announced that its first product, jOG™ is now on sale. Compatible with existing games consoles and games, jOG is an accessory that enables gamers to enjoy their favourite titles with a fun, immersive control mechanic at the same time benefitting from aerobic exercise – quite simply, if you want to run in the game you have to run on the spot to go.

In the basic mode of operation, the user plays their game in the normal way but with one significant difference. jOG detects when the player takes a step and only allows movement in the game while the player is jogging on the spot. Direction and all the other functions are still controlled by the standard gamepad. Using this simple approach, the team at New Concept Gaming has created a very powerful visual feedback loop bringing players deeper into the game experience and compelling them to take light exercise for the duration of game play without affecting the balance of gameplay.

jOG can be used to enhance most existing video games that feature character movement on screen –adventure games, shooters, children’s games, RPGs, sports games. Significantly, in its basic mode jOG requires no changes to any game console or software to use. Players just plug in and go.

“Obesity is reaching epidemic proportions in the Western world, and many sedentary activities are being blamed, not least playing video games,” explains Brendan Ludden, Managing Director, New Concept Gaming. “jOG is a great way to banish those criticisms, and help gaming be both fun and healthy. We want to make video games good for you!”

jOG for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system from Sony is available now from www.ncg-jog.com. A special Limited Edition jOG lite compatible with the Wii™ will also be available in December.

Proper scientists (well, 'sports scientists', but they have doctorates and everything) from the University of Derby in the UK have decided to conduct their own investigation. Researchers are monitoring groups of primary school children to see if Wii gaming helps them to lose weight.

"We hope this research will determine if playing on this equipment could actually have physical benefits for children.", said exercise physiology lecturer Dr Michael Duncan.

Nintendo Wii could help primary school pupils lose weight [Daily Telegraph]

Still, players scored well on physical health compared to the rest of the nation. They reported exercising vigorously once or twice a week, as opposed to 62 percent of American adults who don't exercise for more than 10 minutes at any time.

They also found that MMO players are on average 10 percent leaner than the average American.

Okay, so I ran the story as it was presented, now let's take a look at how we run it in reality land.

MSNBC is running an interesting story on a recent survey conducted by researchers at the University of Southern California that indicates that MMORPG players rank amongst the most apt to lie on a survey about their physical fitness to anonymous researchers in order to receive a limited-edition in-game item.

Still, players scored well on physical health compared to the rest of the nation. They reported exercising vigorously once or twice a week, as opposed to 62 percent of American adults who don't exercise for more than 10 minutes at any time.

They also found that MMO players are on average 10 percent leaner than the average American, due to the fact that they are so disconnected from their physical bodies that they have no idea what lean was and guessed low.

You cannot expect me to take a survey seriously that asks people, anonymously or not, to divulge their weight. You could have photographs of the 7,000 people on a giant scale, and I would still suspect there was cheating involved. "Please remove the helium balloons before stepping on the scale sir."

There were some interesting, if a bit expected results, such as less women than men playing, but women playing much more intensely. I've certainly noticed a trend of women I introduce to gaming getting far more into the games we play than I do.

But the weight issue? Please. This is the internet, after all, where only the very prettiest people post pictures of themselves that aren't at least five years old or severely photoshopped. Have you poked around MySpace lately? It's like a freaking time capsule from the late 90's.

Kudos to the University of Southern California for getting their hands on all that data, but I know players who would sell their children for a free in-game item and not think twice about it. Your data is severely compromised.

Video gamers are surprisingly fit, says study [MSNBC - Thanks Zach]

The Weight Watchers program is designed precisely like a role-playing dungeon crawler. That's why people love it, stick to it and have success with it. And it points to the way that we could use game design to make life's drudgery more bearable. [...] Weight Watchers' points function precisely like hit points; each bite of food does damage until you've used up your daily amount, so you sleep and start all over again. Play well and you level up — by losing weight! And the more you play it, the more you discover interesting combinations of the rules that aren't apparent at first. Hey, if I eat a fruit-granola breakfast and an egg-and-romaine lunch, I'll have enough points to survive a greasy hamburger dinner for a treat!

Not to say that his point is b.s., but many things in life can be equated to an RPG or other form of a video game. When I got going in amateur standup comedy, I really perceived my progression in terms of a video game. Start out as a novice. Play these venues. Stay within your time. Achievement unlocked: 7 minutes in a Rooster's open mike. I'm sure lots of you have seen goals and processes in your own lives in the same way.

So the fact a gaming mentality could be applied to dieting doesn't strike me as odd. The question though: does an unpleasant, difficult goal become easier if you consciously approach it as a game? (For example, nothing billed as "nutritious and delicious" ever gets eaten.) Or should its "game" aspect be more subtle?

Fun Way to Lose Weight: Turn Dieting into an RPG [Wired]

McAndrew seems to have left her Lara days behind her, though, as the announcement makes no mention of her role as one of the first Tomb Raider models. Shame, because I'd love someone to promise me I can look like Lara Croft. I mean, Nell McAndrew is pretty and all, but come on! Lara Croft!

Anyway, for those who might've been wondering what McAndrew has been up to lately, full announce after the jump.

GET FIT AND FEEL FABULOUS WITH NELL MCANDREW'S BODY FITNESSFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AMA announce the launch of Nell McAndrew's Body Fitness- a truly unique mobile lifestyle companion. This advanced application helps the user detox their lifestyle and encourages them to look at a healthier outlook by guiding them through a simple agenda and fitness plan. Initially the user is asked to complete The Fitness Plan quiz to determine what type of workout and nutrition choices will work best for them and their lifestyle. It then works with them to devise an effective workout routine from a vast exercise database, containing a wealth of different options including aerobics and cardio as well as vital warming up and cooling down techniques. The Agenda works alongside the exercises by helping the user plan their meals with handy options such as a one month diet plan and a calendar to chart progress and increase productivity. Throughout the application the user is offered detox advice and tips from Nell McAndrew. Nell McAndrew started her career modelling and is a well regarded celebrity health and fitness figure through her string of successful fitness workout releases, high-profile charity associations and modelling. She famously launched Cancer Research UK Race for Life 2008 flanked by thousands of other women in London's Regent's Park whose training outfits were painted on their bodies. Nell comments:"Environmental factors and busy hectic lifestyles mean some people haven't the time to assess how they could be leading a healthier life. Your mobile goes with you everywhere- so by using this simple application, you can have me in your pocket or bag, encouraging you to get fit and feel fantastic whilst on the go. There's no excuse now!" "We strive to deliver not only unique and interesting content to the user, but also subjects which can have a positive effect on people's demanding lives. We developed Nell McAndrew's Body Fitness to be a mobile lifestyle companion, to enhance the user's fitness and to teach them how to lead a more positive and healthier life," says Christian Guillemot, CEO of AMA. Nell McAndrew's Body Fitness is available in the UK from this month.

The event will take place at the Children’s Aid Society’s Dunlevy Milbank Center Boys & Girls Club, New York and inclide a chance to play DanceDanceRevolution UNIVERSE 2 on the Xbox 360 for free. Supermodel Christie Brinkley and health expert and physician Dr. Carlon Colker will both be on hand to kick things off.

Boys & Girls Clubs in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and Seattle will also be hosting similar Family Fitness Day events, though none of them will be getting a super model on hand.

“Making sure that my children stay active and healthy is my top priority,” Brinkley said. “My children and I love to find new and exciting ways to get up and get moving, and playing games like ‘DanceDanceRevolution’ on Xbox 360 lets my kids have fun and get fit at the same time. And I have to admit, I have a blast playing it too.”

The event is happening the week before Wii Fit takes over a part of Central Park with their own fitness expert: Ashley Borden

Hit the jump for the full Microsoft release:

Xbox 360 and Boys & Girls Clubs of America Team Up for Inaugural National Family Fitness Day
Families nationwide encouraged to join the “DanceDanceRevolution” to promote healthy living.
REDMOND, Wash. — May 6, 2008 — Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox 360 is teaming up with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) to celebrate the inaugural National Family Fitness Day on May 12. National Family Fitness Day is a free, fun-filled event designed to promote healthy and active lifestyles for children and families. The key fitness activity will be playing “DanceDanceRevolution UNIVERSE 2” on Xbox 360. To help encourage families to get involved, supermodel, health guru and mother of three Christie Brinkley and health expert and physician Dr. Carlon Colker will commence the activities at the Children’s Aid Society’s Dunlevy Milbank Center Boys & Girls Club, New York.

On National Family Fitness Day, select Boys & Girls Clubs will participate in this after-school event by playing “DanceDanceRevolution UNIVERSE 2” on Xbox 360. This activity, coupled with healthy tips provided by Dr. Colker, will showcase how families can connect with each other and exercise in a way that is fun. Also on this day will be a fun, collaborative competition among participating Boys & Girls Clubs aiming to reach the goal of 500 participants and 18,000 calories burned while playing “DanceDanceRevolution” on Xbox 360. Boys & Girls Clubs in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and Seattle will all join in to start a new revolution.

“We are proud to partner with Xbox 360 for National Family Fitness Day, which showcases the fact that getting fit can also mean having fun,” said Roxanne Spillett, president and CEO of BGCA. “Playing active games like ‘DanceDanceRevolution’ on Xbox 360 not only encourages kids to get in shape, but also helps bring families together and enhances Triple Play, our existing health and wellness program.”

“National Family Fitness Day is all about keeping kids and their parents active and healthy,” said Jeff Bell, corporate vice president of Global Marketing for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “Playing ‘DanceDanceRevolution’ on Xbox 360 is one of many ways families can get up off the couch and have fun together.”

“Making sure that my children stay active and healthy is my top priority,” Brinkley said. “My children and I love to find new and exciting ways to get up and get moving, and playing games like ‘DanceDanceRevolution’ on Xbox 360 lets my kids have fun and get fit at the same time. And I have to admit, I have a blast playing it too.”

Colker, who has trained top-tier professional athletes, recognizes the health benefits that “DanceDanceRevolution” on Xbox 360 can provide, and in addition, he offers the following health tips for families:

• Shop healthy and cook at home. Buy fresh, perishable and unpackaged foods whenever possible. If ingredient contents sound too complicated, it is probably not a healthy choice. Get the whole family involved in meal preparation. It can be fun time spent together, and it is certainly healthier than fast-food alternatives.
• Check out your local community center. Places such as Boys & Girls Clubs of America offer great physical activities for children, including soccer, baseball, swimming and physical video gaming such as “DanceDanceRevolution” on Xbox 360. The supervision is top-notch and the cost is reasonable.
• Keep tabs on your physical activities. Whether it is having a family activity list on the refrigerator, or even setting the Family Timer on your Xbox 360 so that you know when you have hit your activity goal, keep track of your activities and reward progress.
• Keep a structured bedtime. You cannot expect your kids to have an active lifestyle if they are tired all the time.
More about National Family Fitness Day, the great health benefits of playing “DanceDanceRevolution” on Xbox 360, additional healthy family tips from Dr. Colker, and information on the Xbox 360 Family Timer and parental controls can be found at http://www.Xbox.com/familyfitness.

Nintendo plans to have a slew of Wii Balance Boards on hand to do live demos and for everyone person who goes through the demo, Nintendo will make a $5 donation (up to $25,000) to the American Heart Association.

The event will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Merchants' Gate in Central Park, at the intersection of Central Park West, Central Park South, Columbus Circle and Broadway.

The Wii Fit party will also double as a celebration of National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, which happens to be in May.

These statistics are all based upon a 160 - 170lb person, so my guess is that they will be a little naturally inflated over teen stats.

Walking (4 mph) - 6.1cal/min
Bicycling (10 mph) - 7.8cal/min
Jogging (5 mph) - 11.5cal/min
Basketball (full court) - 13.2cal/min

So if you are playing on standard or above, you really aren't doing too badly.

Ace Fitness PDF [via I4U][Stats from CoolNurse]

PlaySmart

Commencing Oct. 1, 2007, PlaySmart rolls into schools all over Los Angeles County. Billed as a unique educational program from STAR Inc., PlaySmart uses existing and popular games as a means of teaching school age children skills such as problem solving, technological familiarity, objective thinking, literacy and other right and left brain exercises.

PlaySmart employs games such as Dance Dance Revolution™, Pokémon™ TCG and various other video games to enhance instruction in physical education, literacy, group dynamics, team building and positive gamesmanship.

STAR Inc., a 501 (c )(3), charitable non-profit organization's mission is to offer extended educational, recreational and enrichment programs to students; support and enhance school curriculum; improve student achievement; and expand the cultural base of young people through innovative, quality programs offered by highly qualified instructors.

We've all heard the stories about people using Wii Sports as a workout tool, but personal trainer Zander Urquhart of Glasgow, Scotland is taking Wii fitness to new a new level. He has started offering classes that utilize the Wii as a workout machine. He started off by offering the classes fro kids, but then saw the popularity quickly spread to adults as well. Up to four people can participate in each class and according to "University Studies", players could burn up to 125 calories in a fifteen minute session. Mr. Urquhart is purportedly the first person to use the Wii in this manner, but I doubt he will be the last.

Nintendo should really consider marketing a "Wii Fitness" series. Wii Pilates, Wii Aerobics, Wii Weight Lifiting. It's a potential goldmine just waiting to be tapped into. What I'm waiting for though is Wii: Sweating To The Oldies featuring a Richard Simmons Mii that barks out orders at you while wearing Dolphin shorts that are two sizes too small. Flynn De Marco

A WII WORKOUT [Daily Record - Thanks, Craig]

Ben Kuchera has an excellent article posted over at Ars Technica, in which he tackles a subject that has been on everyone's mind since the release of the Wii, that being gaming and fitness. Unlike the Wii Sports Experiment, Kuchera avoids the Wii itself, opting for more fitness oriented games like Dance Dance Revolution, Yourself Fitness, and to a lesser extent, Eyetoy Kinetic. He adjusted his diet and worked out using the games for 45 minutes a day, 4 days a week, for two months. I don't want to spoil the result, but let's just say he did not gain weight.

I'd suspect the adjusted diet has a great deal more to do with the weight loss than anything. You'd be amazed at home many calories some of things we eat and drink. I myself lost nearly 50 pounds earlier this year simply by taking a walk every day and switching to diet soda. Of course I gained half of it back after I started writing for Kotaku, but the extra weight just makes e that much more cuddly. Michael Fahey

Gaming your way into better shape [Ars Technica]

Playing Wii Sports not only helps you lose weight, but makes you shorter and your pants bigger. Suburbia at WiiNintendo.net began what he calls the "Wii Sports Experiment" in December. He blogs:

I outlined a 6 week game plan for myself, the idea being that I would continue ALL normal activity and eating habits, and simply add 30 minutes of Wii Sports to my day. For the past month and a half, I've stuck to these guidelines very strictly.

One stray Wii-mote swing and six weeks later, Suburbia ended up nine pounds lighter, lost 2 percent of his body fat and lowered his heart rate! Which games dropped the most blubber? He burned an average of 92 calories during a 15 minute round of Wii Tennis and an impressive 125 calories with Wii BoxingZ in the same period. He also achieved "Pro" status in Tennis, Bowling, and Boxing. Well done. Brian Ashcraft

Wii Diet [WiiNintendo]