M

ResedaMerenda

ResedaMerenda

ReevesCachai

Anyone thinking this would replace a gym workout, etc. would be dreaming - I think it will be a bit of fun, and maybe improve my balance (based on a nintendo video I saw of it).

polarwarp

SteveVenezia

L_K_M

Reuptake

Jenstar

zingbot

We want to see what a 5' 11" 177 lb 'fat man' looks like.

brundlefly76

jack_d

CaptainMurphy

miffy495

I'll be honest, I'm not all that sure I'm buying this - not really my thing (hell, I ADORE my Wii but I think I've only ever played Wii Sports at friends' houses and the first week I had it) until at least a test-run, but I'll tell ya what: Am I the only one looking forward to a year's worth of "video games making your kid healthy" stories shoving "video games making your kid a sociopath" stories off the news?

moviebob

I'm not sure I'd be interested in sharing my results with others.

One of the main points is to track your weight. That's something you do for yourself, not as a competition with others.

Marlor

Oh well by itself, it's sheer gold. I see it selling at least 2 million units within the US alone this year and that's holding back.

Foxstar Sixtail

It's brilliant, quite simply.

Aimless

drbrownt0wn

Mongoosekun

eastx

ara

Zyzex_Remix

I want to get around to 175 pounds — 170, if I'm lucky. That's my goal, something I still have yet to achieve. :(

Brian Ashcraft

The BMI index is actually a relatively poor indicator of whether you are overweight or not, for the same reasons as a couple of people have stated in here, that it doesn't take into account the amount of muscle mass you have.

I'm 5'8", around 165lbs. According to the BMI index, I'm on the verge of being very overweight. But guess what? I go to the gym almost everyday, I eat quite clean compared to most people, and I look very lean compared to those who are the same height and weight but do not eat good or exercise.

Wii Fit as a fitness tool will only help you lose weight up to a point. Losing weight for most people is synonymous with losing "fat", and people mis-leading believe that by doing cardio and toning type exercises, it will help them reach their goals.

Wii Fit's limitation is that it doesn't allow a user to develop a whole lot of muscle, it's only limited to what resistance you can provide with your body weight, which isn't a whole lot. Without gaining muscle, your basal metabolic rate or BMR (aka the amount of calories you burn while resting) will never go up, which is one of the keys to permanent fat loss.

But since there's a huge problem of obesity in America (lack of exercise and high calorie foods), Wii Fit is better than nothing...

Wii Fit's program should be coupled with a Wii Eat Healthy game.

mahjustin

There will never be a more healthy subsitute for solid running/jogging/stair sprints, or any other real "outside" exercise. It annoys me that these gimmicks want you to believe otherwise.

fecalchaos

ssh83

Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out.

@ BASHCRAFT

Great article! I know the damn things gimmicky, but I think that I'll get one. thanks to your writeup!

dead_red_eyes

JayDiggler

That's exactly what I was thinking...

I'm 5'9 almost 5'10 and I'd kill to be 177.

THX5334

pyropetey

Seriously though, it does look like fun, but the knee thing scares me. I'm still recovering from a knee injury I got doing Sumo Kendo. Fell on the teacher and almost pulled his hakama off.

Billkwando

ohayou_kun

Whats odd is that when Sony put out an excercise game, it was largely ignored, where as Nintendo got massive press for theirs.

mrantimatter

Power_Wrist

Note for the internet illiterate, that's what we call sarcasm.

All joking aside, i guess it's good for those kids who do nothing but sit in their room and play games all day. Maybe their parents can trick them into exercising eh?

Xlom3000

iNime

stromasdragon

I think this is hilarious, considering Nintendo shoved Sudoku into the US version of Brain Age... because it's popular.

creid

TiKiMaN1

crazyorloco

SSJPabs

Ashcraft mentioned that it would be great if the product "did more." Those games will come. Nintendo has reasserted itself as being a first-mover on ideas and innovation. It wouldn't make sense to add another year of development to this product to add feature after feature, especially because most consumers are not going to use those features. Online? Maybe 25% of Wii Fit purchasers will use that feature. So maybe in the next version.

Eventually we will see Sony and Microsoft (and other companies) start to push into the new markets Nintendo has opened up, and we'll see more feature-heavy versions of these games. But while Nintendo is taking these risks, let's be glad that they're providing such polished titles and look forward to the future.

Huckleberry

Ninja-Z

Calicomarie

my spoon is too big

tincow

ryohazuki

stonefry

Ha - I feel like I'm in a Kotaku version of Oprah's Book Club... and yes that would make you Oprah, Brian.

rawg

I'm 5'8" and 200lbs, and I, yes I would consider myself being fat, but in no way very fat. Hell when I look at pics of myself when I was 18 and 150 lbs, I think I looked sickly as hell.

bodmodkub

Case in point: My wife (who is Japanese) is a healthy 125 pounds or so. Her whole life she got teased for being "fat". So in her mind, 125 pounds is "fat" to her, no matter how much I try to tell her otherwise.

Incidentally, she's really interested in Wii Fit. I'll probably pick it up.

PissedPS3Fan

DaiMacculate

SAGA

yeah. 177 would mean I was on the verge of death. But I'm 6'6".

I've tried various approaches to the sedentary at-home workout, and, frankly, it just doesn't do it. For me, at least, I need a babysitter, and a place to go and do something--and it's usually weights, because I like spending alot of effort over short timescales, rather then endlessly plodding along. Of course, I can't fit into a japanese baby-T, so YMMV.

deathbunny

Spaceboy

ElektroDragon

But it can't replace gym, that's for sure.

HobbaHobba

MidnightScott17

I Know we mexicans get screwed on everything pricewise. But 80-100 bucks for a year membership in a GYM that's incredibly cheap.

Anyway, i also do a lot of exersize lately, on an increidbly expensive gym apparently, but i do it on the afternoons/nights, so i think Wii Fit may be a cool adition for an out of bed warm up. And it looks like fun for me.

Falsoman

I hope I'll be able to try it when it launches. Then I might actually buy it.

TrekVogel

MidnightScott17

Rebelphoenix83

ckhapa

This was probably the best Wii Fit article / review I've read. Very in-depth and informative.

Like all exercise 'gimmicks' or 'accessories', the money spent on them typically leads to more useage and a stricter regimen than simply going for a 'free' jog or trip to the public pool or university gym.

Also, I'd imagine the Wii Fit "workout" is fairly easy compared to a jog or other high impact workout, making it much more appealing the general public.

Still, I won't be spending $80-100 on a scale when that's my gym membership fee for a year, but I can see the appeal of this for some people. I think it will end up a novelty though, wheeled out when company comes over, much like how my Wii Sports ended up being. "Hey, look, you can do Tennish with real motions or boxing!" except this time, it'll just be the odd yoga or snowboarding example and then back in the closet.

KirbyMorph

wearafrown

Megan Fox iz Hot ^-^ -ph15h

CarbonatedWater

Benjo

I don't think Wii Fit can offer me the kind of rewarding experience I get from playing music though, so most likely I'll take a pass on this one.

CaptLtrl

eduardjm

Lemming

If you are getting fitter, you don't lose alot of weight. the flab turns to muscle. The best way to tell is if your clothes fit looser. Your overall weight doesn't drop a lot unless you are really overweight.

Lemming

Kimchi

Anyway...this article has me genuinely excited about Wii Fit indeed. I think Nintendo probably realizes that some of their wackier ideas take some time to grow on the user, but they know that eventually, there will be a pay off. I think the DS was a good example of that (I remember thinking the whole dual screen thing was a giant WTF, but now I love it) and same with the Wii, though I liked that whole idea nearly right out of the gate. The name, however, took some time. But look how even THAT ended up working out pretty well!

Robotube

Note to self, when you quit smoking start working out more.

CaptLtrl

nox

Before people dismiss this, do they realise how important the groundbreaking casual appeal of Wii Sports has been in pushing millions of units of Wii around the world ?

zztopp

OT79

Lavastine

To date, she only somewhat enjoys rock band.
...And cooking mama.

Setzer IIDX

It also doesn't seem like the type of thing that would do well in an apartment. I've got neighbors under me.

Do Kesubei

GhaleonUnlimited

NO SHIT SHERLOCK.

Anyone with a 1st grade education if not lesser could have concluded to that.

Exercise has a huge variety of things. Not just football, basketball, baseball, running, etc. Stuff like Yoga, dance *not that DDR shit*, Pilates, etc. Are also parts of the mix.

Wii Fit to me still looks dull, and at the same time looks like something you can do for over half of what you'd pay Nintendo. You have to pay $250 for Wii, $70 or $80 for the actual game and board. You can get a freaking DVD for $10 and get a better workout then you'd get with that.

I have exercise steps, with step aerobic workout tapes that I use, plus a there's a bunch of other tapes in the house, a abs flex machine from the rockin 90s, and I still have my yoga routine I did back in High School that I do.

Does Wii Fit work? I'm sure it does, but I don't get this miraculous honor that it's been getting, when Eye Toy Kinetics has been out since late 2005, and offers the same if not more of what Wii Fit does at a lower price *I got mine at launch for $49 and it came with a Eye Toy*.

Wii Healthy would show that people are ineffectual. Being Healthy is one of the simplest things to do. Eat right, exercise at most an hour a day, and take care of yourself and BADABOOM your healthy!

Sailorcancer

jp182

acez2087

I don't think using the board will make you fit but I think using this will get some people motivated to be more active; and for MANY Americans, I think it'll be worth it.

jp182

GamerBunny

brent_w

Have you tried acupuncture? I was having the same problem (one hand completely dead -- I could hit it on a table and not feel a thing).

Since my sessions (only 3-5 of them) it has been nearly eliminated (though I use a Wacom tablet instead of a mouse just for safety's sake).

PM me if you'd like to talk more about it, there are many solutions.

Be well

topaz420

RanChan03

Odin

interesting article, i sympathise with the 'pre-wii' sentiment, and can see myself enjoying some wii-fit. but for how long?

comedy

KM91

Grumpz®

You were 5'11 and 177? Wow, that makes me feel really bad. I'm 5'11 and 250. :-/

edb87

ThisCharmingMan

Plus, I'm sure my gf will probably use it too... since she is into that kind of stuff.

The more I think about it... Day 1 purchase for me.

DerrickDS

[en.wikipedia.org]

SpootCaz

To be fair swimming does have some impact on your joints, it is just minimal compared to running. But yes, swimming is a much more effective exercise than running, especially in heated pools. Best part about swimming: Tones you down and builds lean muscle. Running can actually reduce muscle mass.

Thanks for the review Bash, it was interesting to read your take on WiiFit. I think I may just buy it for the muscle exercises and the yoga part.

NeoAkira

No, but he's right. It is slightly overweight. The beer, though. The beer.

vanderblade

Cruithne

go where old folks swim if you dont want kids bothering you. hospital where i work has a rehab pool so i just swim there :)

last tim ei swam in a public pool the place had to close cause some idiot took her baby in the pool and it dumped all over X_X i was out of the water though so.

hungry_for_worms

Disappointing!

TheEternalCowboy

Why are you here?

SHiZZAM

Im more interested on '1080 Snowboarding Wii', tought (if they ever make it). 'SSX Blur' is one mighty fine game, too.

Shiryu

baked ham

wisconsinista

greeble

@Setzer IIDX:
I know. I don't understand the Wii Fit craze. I always though DDR would be WAY better for losing weight.

gamadaya

Cool, thanks for the input bud.
I like swimming a lot anyway, but I never do it anymore cause the damn kids at the local pool piss me off.

I guess its time to go to the local rec center and pay for a more civilized swimming experience!

Tyber_Zann

kingclip

On the other hand, possible good title- "SSX: Wii R Tricky" a remake of the classic for the Wii and balance board compatible is a possibility. Use the board to steer/change speed and the wiimote for tricks.

Setzer IIDX

sugarbear

[upload.wikimedia.org]

[upload.wikimedia.org]

Shiryu

Playstation

Like your knee pain, Bash, I've never been able to play my DS for more than about an hour or so. Anything longer than that, and BOTH hands suddenly go numb for a considerable period of time. I've basically retired the thing as I'm worried about some sort of carpal tunnel setting in.

tslothrop

@Archaotic:

You've never seen a Sumo Wrestler?

romBox

NotAZombie

Sundermania

I used to be a vegetarian and a bigtime exercise fanatic. Then my life got incredibly busy and I didn't have time to cook, so I just eat whatever my wife serves me, which is invariably unhealthy but delicious. I also rarely exercise anymore, and I'd like to get back into it, so it'd be cool to have this as a record of my progress, and some of it indeed sounds kind of fun, which is of course a bonus.

baked ham

...come to think of it, I've never seen a fat Japanese person.

Archaotic

nxp3

Shiryu

go swimming instead of walking

swimming has now impact on the joints(walking does) and you burn way more calories swimming. better for your knees.

hungry_for_worms

Sounds like good fun -- too bad I sold my Wii a while back.

The only gaming exercise I get these days is PumpItUp-PC, and playing Rock Band drums with weighted drum sticks.

Went from 225 to 165 in one year (6'1") -- I miss food.

topaz420

Hey Witz, another sacrifice to the banhammer. IT CRAVES BLOOD!

Great write up Bash! I still don't own a Wii yet, but I'd love to get this when I do.

I'm tired of being overweight and exhausted all the time, and I'm about to take up powerwalking myself. With a previous torn ACL, its about all I can do :(

Tyber_Zann

InEffectMode

InEffectMode

will

I just still don't get it. I have a scale in my house, I don't need a balance board to do yoga, and if I want video game exercise fun, I'll get DDR. Or even Wii DDR to work out my arms.

To me, this will always be the biggest consumer trap I've ever seen. Unless they come out with new games for it, then I MAY change my mind.

Setzer IIDX

liked the review, and in depth analysis reflective of the time you put into it, and the satisfaction there in. i liked the quotes. excellent entry!

thanks.

shadymilkman

it depends. if theres no/very little muscle mass then yes the person may be "fat"

with some muscle mass thats about the right weight for that height

hungry_for_worms

dinosaur

i know my workout routine can never be replicated by the wii(alternating days of 5 mile swim in a pool, heavy weights low rep, low weight high reps then a 1 day break to recover)

hungry_for_worms

Hitokiri151

Absent Blue

sqwarlock

Yeah Bashcraft..little things like this are astonishing.

ManjiKengo

crazyrabbits

Day #1 Purchase (Even at 90 €uros...)

Shiryu

smitty1123

Cheezburgerz