Are Video Games the New Frontiers of Weight Loss?
Wii-Fit is looking to get YOU fit! Nintendo's latest offering will combine a motion-sensing controller with an interactive balance board to create workouts. Available since December 1st in Japan, Wii fit is set for a North American launch in mid-May. Here's the concept:
The sumo wrestler-inspired balance board senses weight and motion and is the centerpiece for many, but not all of the exercise programs offered by Wii Fit. This will include yoga, strength training, aerobics and balance games - with as many as 10 activities for each. The controller is used for activities such as running on the spot, where it acts like a pedometer (a far cry indeed from my Nintendo Entertainment System, circa 1988 - Duck Hunt, anyone?) 
Wii Fit also includes access to the interactive Wii Fit Channel, where users can check their fitness progress on a daily basis, including weight and BMI. According to Michael Gartenberg, an analyst with Jupiter Research, Wii Fit is a "by-product of the whole Wii plan for getting people off the couch". The systems retails for about $100.
My Weight Loss Coach
Also on the healthy gaming front, Ubisoft - one of the world's largest video game publishers, announced that it will publish My Weight Loss Coach for the Nintendo DS system. Developed under the guidance both a fitness coach and nutritionist, My Weight Loss coach creates customized coaching sessions based on skill level. The game will include a pedometer, and feature tracking of activity and nutritional intake. Look for this one to be launched in the summer.
Will it Work?
I have to say I'm heavily in favor of anything that gets children and teens moving. The questions is, will the active gaming concept have the staying power required to keep kids moving? My instinct is that Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft will have to stay on the cutting edge to keep these kids interested, lest the novelty wear off and they park themselves back on the couch.
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We didn't need this kind of thing when I was younger, had to get out the house and run about and play football ride my bike, we had pong in my day that was as far as the technology went.
Replyyeh, but we need it now. not all of us, but some do. kids these days are way too fat and sedentary, atleast the wii is challenging them when they play video games.
ReplyIt looks quite fun, though like Mark, I think I prefer my exercise more low-tech! If it encourages kids to see physical activity as something enjoyable -- play, rather than work -- though, it's definitely a step in the right direction.
Ali
ReplyIf it gets kids moving, wooohoo!
ReplyAgree... my kids are shut-ins during the winter... if this has them moving, then i'm in!
ReplyIt does not look to me as if Nintendo is marketing this to kids. I think they are looking to broaden their 30+ market. Get adults to buy the set for fitness and they will probably buy a few games, too. If it motivates some to get off their rumps - why not? The cynic in me thinks it will start collecting dust soon enough.
ReplyWe managed to avoid the whole game system thing for years but finally decided to get our kids a wii this year, because it does encourage some activity. We haven't tried the wii fitness yet though. But if the kids want to play with me I always ask if we can do the tennis or boxing or the winter olympics activities or something active. It does get you moving a bit. Sure, I prefer my exercise the old fashioned way, but I think we have to be realistic and realize that that these younger generations will be presented with new high-tech ways to get active. It's not much different than our grandparents thinking that machines in gyms are a bizarre way to get exercise.
That said, we have always insisted that our kids limit their 2-D activities (computer, tv, game system) and balance it with some "3-D" activities - which in our house means get outside and get active!!
ReplyWhat a joke. This will never come close to going to the gym or playing a sport.
People need to stop kidding themselves, and making the video game industry rich. This is as stupid as McDonald's selling processed "health food".
Forget it! I want the real thing.
ReplyActual Reality PSA (I remembered this from years ago!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsE0EpqSuL0
ReplyI think it's a great idea. If you can't change the mindset of kids, you might as well join them and integrate fitness activities that kids can relate to. My only concern is like with any video game, eventually the kids will get bored with the game and go out and buy a new one. If Nintendo can't keep pace with releasing new games, then I don't think the concept will stick.
ReplyI don't think people should criticize this out of the gate just because it isn't a traditional sport or fitness activity. It just seems like jock snobbery to me! (Spoken in a (mostly) teasing manner, as a former band geek who always hated gym class.)
When I started working out (at 265 lbs) I didn't want to be seen, so I started at home with Dance Dance Revolution. As my fitness level (and confidence) increased, I made my way to the gym, but I doubt I would have gotten there without my hour on DDR each day for a month or two! This is just another tool to get to the same goal-get moving, however you can.
ReplyExactly! People have to find something they love and then they'll try more. Telling people, "sorry this doesn't count" just reeks of elitism and is only going to leave people more discouraged and in their chairs. My little brother was mortified of working out and thought he hated it... started playing DDR-- after a while of this, his confidence was up, and he approached me to help design him a comprehensive fitness program. (I'm a personal trainer.)
There's an interesting article put out by the American Council on Exercise about the benefits these games can have for the previously sedentary.
It is so annoying when someone acts as if they are better than someone else because of some arbitrary measure-- and especially if the one person is taking steps in the right direction! It is immature and counter-effective! It makes me wonder if these people really want change and improvement in other's lives, or just to ensure they have someone to feel superior to.
ReplyI've also read people in sites like this tell others (even when these others are morbidly obese/elderly/suffering from arthritis) that walking isn't "real exercise" and that only running will get them results. Or tell people that happily invested in some dumbbells for the first time cause they are too self-conscious/short on time that lifting weights not at a gym, with all the expensive machinery, will do them no good.
It gets frustrating. Thanks for being a fitness pro with a different opinion, Heather.
ReplyI was looking for dance-dance revolution yesterday. My sister (age 42) told me she played it at a party with a group of friends once and she was just pooped afterwards. Said it was lots of fun. Apparently they sold it for a very short time and then it disappeared from the shelves?
ReplyI spend about 3-4 hours a day doing cardio, resistance and weight training 5 days a week. But at the end of my day I play nintendo wii tennis and set the timer for an hour. I run side to side and back and forth playing this game and Im drenched in sweat when I'm done. and if it gives me a pretty good workout then people who dont exercise should get a very good workout playing the tennis game. Im looking forward to wii fit, why not if keeps me moving and its fun, Im all for it. Oh Im 43 and my husband bought this for me for christmas but now he is into too. Oh and my nephew lost 60 lbs in 1 year and all he changed was he got a wii and started playing, He did not go on a diet. So I think this game is great for kids and adults. try it and you will be hooked.
ReplyYeah but don't pretend it's the Wii that got you fit. It was the 3-4 hours of exercise 5 days/week that did it. The Wii is just for fun. Heck, I'd like the tennis game myself.
ReplyIm not saying wii keeps me fit. I know that's all the hours I spend working out. I'm just saying its fun and it may get some people up and moving . Its better than nothing. I cant believe how critical and mean some of you are. You may not think wii is a workout, I dont think it is either. Im just saying its better than nothing. Theres no need to get so nasty. People have to make a choice to begin a healthy lifestyle. Lets face it, I'd rather not workout and eat pizza and icecream all the time, but I choose not to. But I do enjoy pizza every once in awhile and icecream, well I work out hard and once a week I may a trip to my favorite icecream parlor. No way Im giving that up.
ReplyThis does nothing for weight lifting. It's better then nothing for lazy idiots who can't bother to do real exercise. However, this is not the solution. After all, they do 1 hour of DDR and then pig out on a pizza. People who do this are usually ignorant about diet.
ReplyNot necessarily. There are days when it is absolutely too nasty outside to run and the gym is closed. Days like those, using the Wii or playing DDR would be something rather than nothing. A partial solution is better in this realm than no solution at all.
ReplyHow often is the gym closed? You're talking about the northern climes like Dakotas, Minnesota?
ReplyI go to the gym at my university and this quarter they have cut back on their hours. Thus there are times when based on my schedule and that schedule, I'm available only when it's closed. So I can't go. And I'm in Ohio right now; while they might not be too far north to run outside in the winter for some people, it is for me. I'm always cold and I would slip and fall on the snow because I'm just that coordinated and unused to running outside right now.
And when my friends and I would get together to play DDR in high school, we never "pigged out" on pizza afterwards. I think the worst that happened was...soda? Or if we were there late enough, some sort of real food that my friend's mother had made. Not the best, but I can think of worse things.
ReplyIt's interesting you say "gets children and teens moving". I doubt either children or teens will play Wii fitness, while it is a family game, it's marketed towards adults and I doubt kids would be interested in a fitness game.
I don't think I've heard of anyone buying this game for their kids (yet), though I do know several people who bought or will buy it for themselves.
ReplyBasically Americans are fat, lazy pigs who can't be bothered with anything.
ReplyObesity is a worldwide problem, to say all americans are fat lazy pigs is ridiculous. Its makes me wonder why you have such a problem with this topic. Name calling helps no one and the fact that you so easily condemn a whole country is outrageous, calm down and take a few breaths, maybe try yoga for your anger. Im not going to get into any further discussion with you about this. It only takes away the good that this forum can do.
ReplyI'm American and I work up to 60 hours a week, attend college, and make time to work out daily. I'd hardly call myself a fat lazy pig. I fall into the middle of the healthy weight range for my height.
ReplyI hate to be snarky but the first thing I thought when I read your comment was "Yes, some Americans even eat bananas in the middle of the morning! Don't they know a banana is a special treat after a long workout session?"
We get it. You are more committed to fitness and eating right than everyone else, ever.
ReplyPersonally I think working on your personality, intelligence, people skills and compassion are equally as important as physical fitness and health. Being in love with yourself to the point of arrogance has got to be one of the biggest turn-offs. Too often unfortunately, this seems to be a by-product of too much time in the gym.eg: Fitness_Fanatic
ReplyWhat happened to playing outside or in the park throwing Frisbees and shit?
ReplyIf you are gonna be mugged in the park while throwing your Frisbee, it simply isn't an option. Or if the nearest park to you is a 40m bus or car trip from your home.
ReplyEh, I don't understand the cynics in the comments. Every thread on this blog Kaliesh (sp?) and Fitness_Fanatic rant about how dumb is and how people should "just stop eating so much and do real exercise". LOL, 2/3 of America is overweight, telling them that has not and will not work, get over it.
ReplyMy 2 cents here.....
ReplyWhere I live, in the winter. we get terrible inversions where warm air gets trapped on top of cold air, and it pushes the smog into the city. Some days it's so bad we can't see half a mile out for the smog-fog layer. My boyfriend has terrible asthma and CANNOT work out aerobically outside at all i
The rest of my comment got deleted. Never mind.
ReplyThese games definitely have strong staying power. Have any one of you guys tried dance dance revolution? There was a diet-blog article about a year ago. You should look it up. Its the game you see at the arcade with the arrows the light up when you step on them. It came out almost a decade ago when I was starting college and you still see kids shoving dollar after dollar in that same game at the arcade.
I lost 25 pounds in 4 months after buying that game. Reason?? It had the addictive qualities of a video game. Only instead of using a hand held controller, you use your feet. I'd play this game for hours on end, sweat would be pouring down all over... but I didn't care. All I wanted to do was play and then play again and then play some more. This is in sharp contrast to being at the gym; all I can think about at the gym is my endpoint when I can stop exercising. I did change my diet as well, but only by a little. I think I was eating just under 2000 calories a day.
Sadly, I had to stop playing when I moved to a third floor apartment because of all the stomping the game entailed. I gained all the weight back. Lately I've been trying to make it to the gym a few times a week, but its not nearly as effective because its not nearly as fun. I'm actually thinking about moving again to a ground floor apartment for this very reason.
ReplyOne thing... dance dance revolution was not marketed as a fitness game, at least not initially. Kids played it because it was fun and because arrows lit up when you stepped on them, not because they were health conscious.
I recently introduced this game to several classmates (that are not incredibly active people) at the grad school I'm attending. Initially they were skeptical and embarassed but now they're completely hooked, even the shy introverted ones :D One girl just bought a play station solely for this purpose. A powerful workout tool that I highly highly recommend to anyone. There's even a workout mode that keeps track of calories burned for you!
ReplyI just read some of the above comments... So I'm a lazy idiot for trying to eat right and doing video game cardio (some pretty intense cardio for that matter) when I get home after a 12 hour day at school. I see. I hope all this bashing makes you feel like a bigger person because it sure as heck isn't helping anyone else.
ReplyHow much room do you need to get a decent work out with the Wii? It sounds like it could be fun but it also sounds like you would have to move your furniture out of the way, otherwise you would be standing in one spot vs. sitting on the couch. I have never played Wii, but it doesn't mean I wouldn't try it. I get my exercise the old fashioned way at the gym.
Replywww.orb24.com
If you have room enough to swing your arms around, take a step forwards or back, you have enough room - it's less that what you would need for most exercise videos. A pretty small area will cover it.
ReplyI think video game-type exercise has its place in the world, but they will never take the place of true sports because they are just simulations. There's a huge difference between swinging a 2 ounce Wii controller and a heavier tennis raquet that's making contact with a speeding tennis ball. It's better than nothing, I guess. And I know that kids these days have shorter attention spans and need sports/activities to be super-addictive to keep them involved, so maybe this could at least help combat childhood obesity. The best-case scenario would be that parents only let their kids play video games like Wii, where they can be physically active, and ALSO make them play outdoors or on sports teams so they get the best of both worlds.
ReplyYou can separately purchase nerf extensions for the Wii controller that include a tennis raquet, golf club and baseball bat. (I gave these to the kids for valentine's day instead of a box of chocolates!) I'm not saying the weight is equivalent to a real raquet/bat/club, just that it adds a little weight and makes the games a little more fun and realistic. (I got my husband the Tiger Woods golf game at the same time and it's at least a slight improvement over watching him sit glued to his computer screen - he spends more time playing with the kids now, and he is at least getting a little more activity, playing different sports on the Wii with them.)
ReplyFunny, I also mentioned this on my health blog. :) I think Wii Fitness is an amazing idea.. especially for those who don't like the traditional methods of exercise. It is a nice alternative once in a while. I live in New England so it is painful to get to the gym when there is a blizzard outside. Great way to burn some calories inside!
Heather
Replywww.healthhasnofury.com
Y'know, I just don't think this is an either-or-thing, most things just aren't. There is a time and place for most of these things. Kids hopefully will have some outdoor time, with old-fashioned play-based exercise, and sports. My kids have two outdoor recesses a day, race around playing with their buddies for an hour or more after school in the park - all that is what I would call unstructured exercise. They have daily phys ed, they belong to a sports club and play badminton, squash, shinny hockey and swim. In the spring they play baseball or soccer outside. All that is what I'd call structured exercise activities. And like most kids they have some unstructured, down time at home when they are going to read, or watch tv or use the computer or play video games - again, what in our house we call 2-D time and we limit it. And when they are playing video games, I like the idea that they now have some more active options. It doesn't replace the unstructured or structured exercise they get. It's just about balance.
On days that I have some time, or I want to do something different, a few games of Wii tennis or whatever is a fun way to pass some time, and it's more active than some other things that I could choose - (like hanging out on the computer!!). It's something we can enjoy as a family. I also like to play Brain Academy with the kids, where we get together to exercise a different muscle. But it hasn't stopped me from enhancing my brain through reading. The principle is comparable.
ReplyDon't bash it until you've tried it. I've never been a fan of video games, but I have had a few chances to try the wii, and it has a very different feel to it.
Just curious -- those of you who are bashing the wii and ddr for fitness, do you have the same problem with workout videos and even aerobics classes at the gym? Why is going to the gym better than exercising at home?
And so what that the wii has no weight training -- neither does a treadmill. We need weight training AND cardio. If you want to lift weights, you lift weights. You don't have to get all your exercise in one place.
ReplyI am a terrible dancer, but I have to confess I hijack the Britney-like DDR "Dancing with Britney" game from my niece and nephew (they are preteens now and too cool for it anyway) when I'm at their home. It is incredibly fun.
Another fun thing to hijack from kids is a trampoline! I love it when I go to a kid's birthday party and they rented a large trampoline. I'm in there jumping with the kiddies.
As a proud owner of a hula hoop, I think these types of fun physical activities should be encouraged. I'm a cardio hater, I'd rather hula hoop around, DDR (one day I swear I'm buying my own gaming console, just for that! I wouldn't mind owning a trampoline either, if I didn't live in a townhouse), or jump like a mad woman on a trampoline than "go for a run".
ReplyThe rest of my comment got deleted. Never mind
ReplyI'm a bit late on this post, but Wii fit has been coming more and more into my "realm of attention."
I agree that anything that gets people up and moving is incredible. Making fitness fun is motivating, and motivation is a huge key to long term success.
You do bring up a great point about the novelty factor though... people might get bored and stop, you're right.
But anything to spice up your fitness program is "A-OK" with me.
-Sean
ReplyAnother fun thing to hijack from kids is a trampoline! I love it when I go to a kid's birthday party and they rented a large trampoline. I'm in there jumping with the kiddies.
Replypeople might get bored and stop, you're right.
Reply