Wii Exercise Games: Wii Fit and Wii Pilates
Wii Exercise Games: Getting Started with Wii Fit
When you first purchase and set up your Wii, you’ll make a Mii—a virtual representation of yourself for use with Wii Fit and Wii Fitness games. Wii Fit’s main accessory is the Wii Fit balance board, which is a 12 by 20 inch flat board that acts as a scale, a piece of exercise equipment and even a virtual exercise coach.
Wii Exercise Games: Wii Fit Basics
Body Test
The first step in getting started with the Wii Fit is to do a body test. The software directs you to stand on the Wii balance board and be as still as possible as it weighs you and checks your balance, which it reports to you. Then, you’re given your BMI and weight. Your Mii will grow or shrink according to your weight. It’s important to remember that the Wii Fit does not take lean muscle mass into consideration when determining your BMI, so if you happen to have a lot of muscle mass, you will likely be told you’re overweight.
At that point, you can end the test or choose to continue on for a couple of balance tests. If you choose to take these tests, be prepared for the “Wii humor” that may ensue. For example, if you don’t do well on the test, the Wii will ask you if you have trouble walking.
Since balance is an important component of a strong core and thus a healthier body, many of the Wii Fit games and exercises focus on it. At the end of your body test, the Wii Fit calculates and informs you of your Wii Fit age.
Activities
The Wii Fit includes four activity categories, including yoga, strength training, aerobics, and balance games. When you first use your Wii Fit, each category offers just a few choices, but as you log workout time, more choices are unlocked. This feature can help the user to avoid monotony in working out.
According to Marc Franklin, Nintendo’s director of public relations, “Many Wii Fit activities are directed towards a ‘core’ workout, a popular exercise method that emphasizes slower, controlled motions.”
Even so, experts report that balance isn’t really a great indicator of physical fitness. In fact, Dr. Cedric Bryant of the American Council on Exercise (ACE) says that, “In terms of skill, balance, coordination and agility, (these things) are important for our functional capabilities, but they don’t equate to how fit a person is.”
Wii Pilates: Does it exist?
There are tons of great Wii exercise games out there, but many Wii fans want to know where they can find Wii Pilates. The answer? Apparently not in the United States.
According to Pilates blogger PalmBeach, Nintendo released a Wii Fitness series that includes Konami’s Dokodemo Wii Pilates exclusively in Japan.
“It runs you through exercises from beginner to expert with a 3D “trainer” to show you how it’s done,” PalmBeach says of the game.