Wii Fit - More reviews from Consumer Reports

Published July 24th, 2008

I finally got to try the Wii Fit last weekend in between the cookies and cupcakes at the BlogHer08 conference. I played one of the balance games - Table Tilt - and did quite well, I must say. Consumer Reports (CR) has also been busy trying out the new fitness game. I first told you about Consumer Reports’ preliminary review of the Wii Fit a few weeks ago. As promised, here are highlights from CR’s full report.

YOGA
Testers said they could get away without doing poses the right way and don’t think the Wii Fit is good for yoga beginners. But if you’re experienced, it may give you a new perspective on balance and an interesting way to practice.

STRENGTH
Panelists did push-ups, torso twists, single leg extensions, and lunges. Most of them found the activities challenging in both strength and balance, but only two of the five men found them enjoyable compared to nine out of ten of the women.

AEROBICS
Testers tried two of the four aerobic games at the basic play level: hula-hoop and basic step. Most panelists found the activities entertaining but not very demanding aerobically, but hula-hooping seemed more challenging than stepping. Half of the women who hooped felt they got at least some muscle workout.

BALANCE GAMES
These were the big hit among the panelists - they tried activities like soccer, ski slalom, ski jump, and table tilt. Nine of 10 women and four of five men felt the games challenged their balance, and everyone found them enjoyable.

BOTTOM LINE FROM CR
“There’s no question the Wii Fit provides entertainment. Whether it will enhance your fitness depends largely on how fit and active you already are and how intensely you exercise while using the Wii Fit. Each exercise lasts only one to three minutes at the basic level, and the system stops after each game for a scoring and explanation sequence; that disruption could prove vexing for serious exercisers who’d rather just keep moving. But for folks who need motivation to get off the couch, or people interested in a different, more health-oriented approach to gaming, Wii Fit definitely offers a unique and potentially appealing package.”

The Wii Fit review from Consumer Reports has more details, so check it out if you want to know more.

Anyone out there using the Wii Fit ? What do you think of it? If you haven’t tried it yet, do you want to? I would definitely do the balance games again.

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Tags: consumer reports, Exercise, fitness, hula hooping, ski jump, ski slalom, table tilt, Wii Fit, workout, yoga

9 users responded in " Wii Fit - More reviews from Consumer Reports "

workout mommy said, July 24th, 2008 at 10:34 am

I got to try the hula hooping and it was definitely a challenge! (and I hope no one videotaped me doing it because I’m sure I looked ridiculous!)

I am definitely putting a Wii Fit on my wish list, especially since it is something I could get the hubby to do.

cathy said, July 24th, 2008 at 11:19 am

We have a Wii Fit, and I LOVE it! I completely agree with Consumer Reports assessment though. Wii Fit is NOT going to get a person in shape, but it is a fun complement to a regular exercise program.

I’m a big fan of the Yoga section. I’ve always been too intimidated to take yoga classes, but the Wii Fit has been a great introduction to yoga. I’ve felt myself get stronger and better at the poses as the weeks have progressed.

I find that the aerobic activities, while fun, don’t really get my heart pumping. They are definitely not a substitute for a good, old fashioned workout, IMO! The strength exercises are challenging and enjoyable, and the balance games really test my balance.

All in all, one thing that Wii Fit has really helped me with is being more aware of my posture and balance. I think that it’s loads of fun, but while it does help with strength, balance, and posture, it doesn’t take the place of a work-out!

DR said, July 24th, 2008 at 12:19 pm

It’s the new evolution of wo(man) - From couch potato to Wii Fit addict to fitness junkie.

The Baroness said, July 24th, 2008 at 2:57 pm

As a video gamer and diet junkie, I couldn’t wait to buy Wii Fit when it came out. I will tell you that I have lost over 20 lbs since buying it, but that’s really not the full story. Here’s why it helped:
-It encourages you to weigh yourself every day and set a goal weight. Seeing your weight every morning is known to be an incredible motivator. I’ve heard that people who weigh themselves every morning lose 10 lbs more per year than people who don’t.
-There are other more effective cardio workouts that you must unlock by playing the game. The first 10 lbs that I lost, I used the 30 minute free run and 30 minute free step modes.
-I am also a member of a gym, and once I was motivated, I began working out A LOT. In fact, now Wii Fit is just more of an expensive daily weigh-in program.

Mark Salinas said, July 24th, 2008 at 3:10 pm

Very cool! Maybe replace the kid PS2?

Cynthia - Healthy Hollywood said, July 24th, 2008 at 5:29 pm

Really great review. It definitely helped me make up my mind about whether or not to get one.

cathys997 said, July 24th, 2008 at 6:41 pm

Appreciate the information. I have mixed emotions. I want to push to the next level and I’m not sure this would do it. It does look fun.

mrp55 said, July 25th, 2008 at 10:58 am

I am curious how much everyong paid for their Wii Fit. It retails for $89.99–but you can’t get them in a store or on-line. They are always out-of-stock, both places. You can get them on-line through ebay, amazon.com or another source for double the retail price. I find this crazy and refuse to pay more than it is worth.

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