The Good Fortune of Wii Exercise

eldavojohn writes "While some users of the Wii complained of soreness or 'Wii elbow' when playing it too much, others are heralding its workout value. The University of Toronto is working on a 'therapeutic video game' for the Wii that is designed to help children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy exercise their weaker limb, people are claiming weight loss and in the January issue of Pediatrics the Mayo clinic is proposing that gaming systems like the Wii can combat child obesity."

I'll say!

[NeoPaladin394]

Wii Boxing is especially great for getting some exercise. It starts out easily enough, but with tougher opponents, shaking out of a knockout after swinging madly to hit them can completely wear you out. That, and I'm on a bottom floor apartment, so I usually jump around a bit while the NPC is knocked out. After an hour, I usually have to take a bath. On top of that, it's FUN!

You sort of get out of it what you put into it. It's possible to use the minimal amount of movement to trigger an in game action, or find the 'bug' movements that trick the controller, but on the same token it's just as easy to put your whole body into it.

IMHO, the system is worth the money scalped from me on eBay.

Re:Agreed

[spun]

Absolutely. The best exercise in the world is the exercise that you actually do.

Personally, I'm waiting for cyber-jacks so I can jack in and let some AI exercise my body for me while I play video games. ;)

Re:Agreed

[crossmr]

Actually in order to lose some massive weight just from walking most people would need to look at walking in the neighbourhood of 2-3 hours a day, 5 days a week. While good for stamina and general cardiovascular health, walking alone for 30-60 minutes just doesn't provide the necessary calorie deficiency for any kind of real weight loss unless you're severely obese (i.e. in the neighbourhood of 300+ lbs). I had a neighbour a few years ago who was overweight, probably in the 300+ range given his height and girth. He started walking about 2 1/2 hours a day, everyday of the week. It was about a year and a half before he started to lose weight, but then it started to pour off. Last I'd seen a picture of him I didn't even recognize him, I believe he must have been around 180lbs. While its possible to lose some weight and get in shape that way, most people I don't think have the will power (or time) to invest 3 hours a day 7 days a week for a year and half prior to seeing results before they'd give up, and then it was still about another year before he was to the point he is now.

On the other hand if you're someone who is really put off by strenuous exercise and you actually have the time to invest in that kind of exercise program its better than nothing, but if all you can commit is 30-45 minutes a day and actually want to be in shape you need to look at something that has a much higher activity level. Wii Boxing has the potential to give you that level of exercise if you don't cheat yourself and actually play it like a boxing game with full effort as demonstrated by a fellow on a blog here 2 or 3 weeks ago. Even though he was in the 180 range I think he still put off 10-15 lbs on it. Something like Dance Dance revolution would also do it if you need that kind of video game motivation.

Nutritionists will tell you that just to maintain yourself you need strenuous activity for 30 minutes 3 times a week. 5 times a week if you're looking to lose weight.

Re:Yeah, Wii isn't much of a work out...

[AKAImBatman]

Yes, the Wii makes you move, a little

Obviously, you don't play enough boxing. I'm not in the best shape, but I do walk/run home 3 miles from the train station. Wii Sports Boxing still leaves me breathing heavy and drenched in sweat. I have a hard time believing that the effect would be any different on most other video game players. At least, if you're doing it right. ;)

FWIW, the Wii may not be an acceptable replacement for exercise, but it's a sight better than getting no exercise whatsoever.

Weighted Controller?

[syukton]

Do they have a weighted controller for the Wii yet? Maybe some sort of attachment for the existing controller? Nothing extreme, just 2-5 pounds or so.

Re:Weighted Controller?

[I_HATE_THIS]

I just wear those weight wrist band when I play boxing. It works great.

the upside is variety

[Bobtree]

Every game on the Wii seems to work a different group of muscles because of the unique control movements involved. When I play something new for a couple of days, I find new sore spots. Oddly enough it's Excite Truck that keeps my heart rate up (and shoulders tense) the most while playing. It may turn out to be my favorite of the launch titles given its addictive, high adrenaline, and high replay value game style.