Since the initial announcement, Wii Fit has created an enormous buzz throughout entertainment and media. It is considered the first of its kind, a video game designed to help you lose weight and it is focused on this task by having you take part in a series of balance, aerobic and muscle exercises. You will also have access to twelve different Yoga poses, some more strenuous than others.

The majority of these exercises are performed on the Wii Balance Board, a device which is sensitive to both pressure and position. When the game starts, an on screen avatar will ask you to stand on the board to measure your Body Mass Index (BMI), which is based on age, height and weight. Once you've been measured, the game will tell you if you are underweight, ideal, overweight or obese based on the information it has received. It will even tell you which leg you tend to favor, based on how much you've moved during the measuring period!

You can set yourself a goal for how much weight you'd like to lose or gain, and the period of time you'd like to reach that target. The game will then create a graph from the starting point and show how you've developed over time, occasionally commenting on your progress and whether it is happy with how you're getting on.

But, the burning question is does it work?

Based on my own experience with Wii Fit, I have lost weight.

After firing the game up on Friday April 25th, and measuring my own BMI, I was told that I am ever so slightly overweight. This came as a slight surprise to me. I do not regularly workout, nor am I particularly careful with what I eat, but I do know my limits, and do try to keep active in some shape or form. Nonetheless, the game did inspire me to do more and I plunged right in, taking care to pick something from each category which suited both my strengths and weaknesses. By Monday morning, I'd lost four pounds.

Nintendo stress that Wii Fit will not help you to lose weight by itself, and that independent dieting, and activity are also essential. But they encourage you to give it a try as it can definitely help! After my time spent with Wii Fit, I can certainly re-enforce their claim.
For me, this game has also served as an introduction to Yoga. I've heard so many wonderful things on Yoga and how it has helped people with their posture, flexibility and overall relaxation, but I'd never much credited it. After playing this game, it has not only given me further interest, but I find it is the exercise I do predominantly over all others. I can even feel slight changes to my movements and less strain on certain parts of my body than before.

But aside from Yoga, the game does cater for all types of weight and fitness, giving something for everyone. Included in the activities are press-ups, hula-hooping, lunges, shadow boxing and island jogging. There is even the opportunity to go ski-jumping!
The package isn't cheap at 69.99 (An additional 179.99 if you do not own a Nintendo Wii), but with that purchase comes a personal virtual trainer that is as committed to helping you lose weight, as you are. While it is certainly not the last word in fitness, Wii Fit is a great motivational tool that can sow the seeds to a richer, healthier existence and comes highly recommended.

Learn more about this author, Ray Willmott.
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