How effective is Wii when it comes to exercise?
Let’s face it. One of the biggest challenges and hurdles that game companies and their employees face is the fact that many people believe that obsessive gaming can have some MAJOR effects on a person’s health. Due to the lethargic habits that most people tend to develop when they become freakishly obsessed when it comes to gaming, their health takes a huge toll from the lack of physical exercise (and no, exercising through flicking the remote does not qualify as a form of exercise). Well, we can never under estimate gaming moguls (or moguls to generalize) when it comes to sniffing out money.
A multi million (or perhaps billion) dollar industry has emerged because of this lack of exercise our nation has developed. And the gaming industry is no turtle when it comes to the money making from exercise race. No doubt, Wii is leaving its competition way behind.
But… How effective is playing a Wii when it comes to exercise anyway? I mean let’s face it, yeah you do need to move around when you exercise, but does the movements that Wii games require you to do really help you get healthier while playing games at the same time (thus, avoiding those weird looking spandex wearing exercise gurus)?
From IGN.com: “The title features upward of 40 different exercises and mini-games designed to get players moving, including aerobics, strength-training and yoga-based challenges…” This excerpt pertains to the certain (and yet another) hyped up game that Nintendo will release for Wii gamers. The games included are obviously based on what’s in and what’s out on the physical gyms out there today. A woman in a green track suit can even be seen happily jumping while using a Wii, which of course, only made the campaign a little bit cheesier than it already was.
And from medpagetoday.com: “For Project Gotham Racing 3, the mean energy expenditure was 125.5 kJ/kg/min.
For Wii Sports bowling, it was 190.6 kJ/kg/min.
For Wii Sports boxing, it was 198.1 kJ/kg/min.
For Wii Sports tennis, it was 202.5 kJ/kg/min.”
Not much effect there, obviously.
But, some people have argued, it is better than not doing anything at all. Probably, its time that someone also point out that people can still exercise without having to open a game console.
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Hmm, thats funny. Becuase if i remember correctly, exercising is repetition. If you swing your arm 800 times in an hour, of course it is a form of exercise. Intense wii Boxing matches have left me sweating, and im in shape. Just like lifting a one pound weight, its repetion. Of course you can exercise without opening a game console! You can lose weight by not eating at all, instead of eating healthy. It’s about time someone pointed that out! Of course. This doesn’t mean you stick with an alternative. So if some kid wants to play boxing rather than sit and play WOW, it is a mild form of exercise, accept it.
Well, as much as I see where you’re coming from Bob, I do not think it should be treated as an alternative to exercise…which you did not say it was, but I know there are people who think it is. Not everyone gets into the games as much as others, so depending on who you are watching, the exercise could be light or moderate. I’m not saying it’s not a good thing…
Let’s say an overweight child plays Wii Boxing for an hour per day. That’s most likely moderate activity for 60 minutes, which exceeds the Surgeon General’s recommendation by 30 minutes. May not be as vigorous as the guidelines would like, but it’s a start.
I can see Nintendo making a game that involves more vigorous exercise in the future. Just think of what Dance Dance Revolution did.
the wii is fun but the games are expensive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don’t think you can see the Wii as a replacement for you’re daily reccomendation’s of sports. Ofcourse it’s better then some kid playing WoW, but if we see it like that, LOTS of things are better.
And the idea of somekind of a dance dance revolution for Wii, would be fun. It would be something that involves the girly childs, into Wii’ing. Because, if I see it now, I don’t think alot of 13 year old girl’s are playing the Wii, they just need something they are interested in(like dancing).
Ok i will admit i own a ps3, but before you say anything i would like to point out that many of my friends have Wii’s. When we play on the games like Wii sports, i get knackered, and i’m pretty fit. I think the wii encourages the people to enjoy physical activity rather than find it strenuous.It’s more fun than going down to the gym!!!
we love Wii Fit at our house … I have noticed improvement in my strength already. The aerobics (hulahooping) really get you going ! We have PS3 and Xbox in the house also but we all love the Wii FIT ! It’s working ..
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Asside from the actual activities offered… The nice little bells and whistles that can make the Wii Fit effective for a lot of people are the daily weight log and translated visual graph. Most people find simple daily awareness of their weight/BMI to be a good motivation to watch portion control and take the stairs at work.
I think of the Wii Fit as a motivational tool that can be used to promote daily awareness. Most people complain that they can’t find the regular time slot to exercise but this gadget may inspire them to rework the schedule for the fun. And, a few weeks of mild activity on the Wii could be just the thing to get a person to take the next step to dedicate that 30-60 minute time slot they’re using to then do more serious exercise.
And, even though the voice/comments can come accross as a little condescending some people might find the positive (albiet mechanical) daily encouragement a motivation as well.
All in all I think the system is a good idea for people starting out and trying to find the inspiration to get healthier… not so much for the avid exercise enthusiast who probably won’t go and buy this for themselves anyway.