Wii Fit....is....simply breathtaking! (quite literally)

[capoeirista]

Is it just me....

...or is this just a massive case of 'emperors new clothes'

This is what £70? (amazon had it at £110ish) Which is about $140. What a waste of money.

Now I love games (I post here a lot), and I love sport. If you need to lose weight, this is NOT going to help you. It is a huge marketing GIMMICK. Go outside and have a nice walk. Your Wii Fit board will end up in the cupboard collecting dust next to your Super-Scope.

Now I appreciate that lots of people posting here are like me and enjoy 'proper' exercise. These comments are clearly not aimed at them. It is aimed at anyone who needs to spend that much money in order to do push ups, which are FREE. Jeez if need be, go to a toy shop and buy a Hula hoop! You can have the same experience, for less money, burn some fat and save some electricity!

Just turn it off. Go and walk your dog, cycle to the shops, whatever. I am going to walk round the campus lake in my lunch break.

(Normally I am very calm, but this thing boils my blood sooo much! )

 

[0098386]

LOL you're mad!

I'm seeing people who don't normally exercise using this as it combines games as well as minor exercise.

Hell anything that helps turn the UK away from obesity is fine by me, if it helps 1 person then it's a pretty good idea (especially since Nintendo can afford that now).

Also I help out people with agoraphobia and people who haven't gone outside in years who have really gotten into this game. Which is just as well as running machines cost an awful lot and a very expensive to run.

Doesn't fit your criteria (or mine) but it apparently does for many other people

 

[capoeirista]

I'm seeing people who don't normally exercise using this as it combines games as well as minor exercise.

Hell anything that helps turn the UK away from obesity is fine by me

Very valid points. However to combat obesity, minor exercise isn't going to help. We need a complete reassessment of lifestyles in the UK. 10 minutes of Wii Fit + sitting back down on the sofa to eat KFC = no gain.

Flippant example from Penny Arcade

if it helps 1 person then it's a pretty good idea (especially since Nintendo can afford that now).

But the 100,000s of people it doesn't benefit in any way could have spent the £££/$$$ on something they'd have got more use out of.

Also I help out people with agoraphobia and people who haven't gone outside in years who have really gotten into this game. Which is just as well as running machines cost an awful lot and a very expensive to run.

Absolutely no problem with it in this situation! I also hear that the Wii is very popular in old peoples homes. Stuff like that is a perfect example of how a good idea, under the right circumstances can lead to benefit.

Overweight kids who don't do enough exercise due to poor diets/education/lack of sports opportunities on schools/whatever, need something more substantial than a small rectangular piece of white plastic.


[/RANT]

Goodness I am getting rather riled up by this aren't I! I probably should go back to work!

 

[0098386]

Of course they do, Wiifit isn't going to fix the nation. It'll likely have a smaller impact than Jamie Oliver did with his healthy school dinners. But I do see the psychological benefits, combining games and exercise might break down taboos with kids wanting to keep fit. Might not work since vegetables have been through colour changes and the likes to get kids interested which didn't really work!

 

[Jovian9]

I had read a lot about this game over the weekend and it had sparked my interest. I'm pretty sure I'll go pick this up sometime this week now. One question for those who may have it:

Does the board work well on carpet? My Wii is in the living room, which is carpeted (thick carpet) so I'm curious if this will "mess up" the readings from the board.

Thanks!

 

[ButtUglyJeff]

This is another case of Americans getting screwed over by Nintendo.

Mario Kart Wii and now Wii Fit.

Anywho, I will be getting Wii Fit...but maybe later in the year. I have too much other stuff on my plate right now. And have a regular gym I go too...so, it doesn't suit me yet.

Say hello to the weak US dollar............

 

[GFLPraxis]

This is another case of Americans getting screwed over by Nintendo.

Mario Kart Wii and now Wii Fit.

Anywho, I will be getting Wii Fit...but maybe later in the year. I have too much other stuff on my plate right now. And have a regular gym I go too...so, it doesn't suit me yet.

Take consolation in that we aren't getting it nearly as bad as Europe or Australia. Neither of which even have Brawl yet.

At least we got the actual Wii first, Zelda: Twilight Princess first, and Metroid Prime 3 first.

Europe got Mario Strikers, Mario Kart, and Wii Fit first. Fair trade. Makes sense, since the Europeans like soccer and cars more than us (in general). They're probably healthier/not as fat as us, too, hence Wii Fit

 

[twoodcc]

i might end up getting this game sometime. not sure though. i am interested in it though

 

[MRU]

Does the board work well on carpet? My Wii is in the living room, which is carpeted (thick carpet) so I'm curious if this will "mess up" the readings from the board.

Thanks!

Buy an exercise mat from one of the sports shops. £12 or so! It will benefit you, especially if you do some of the muscle exercises to stop you slipping or getting carpet burn

 

[GFLPraxis]

Just turn it off. Go and walk your dog, cycle to the shops, whatever. I am going to walk round the campus lake in my lunch break.

The difference with Wii Fit is that it can give you something of a routine, and way to track your progress.

And having played it, it can actually be fun.

(Normally I am very calm, but this thing boils my blood sooo much! )

Don't get so mad. It's not good for your health

 

[MRU]

We need a complete reassessment of lifestyles in the UK. 10 minutes of Wii Fit + sitting back down on the sofa to eat KFC = no gain.

True, but it's not Wii Fits fault. I see fat people go into the gym, work out for 5 minutes, sit in the jacuzzi for 60 and then say they are going to stop for a kebab or burger on the way home. So it's no different really.

And in regards to health/fitness, then yes it is a lifestyle. Hence I do not use the term diet anymore as it's a falicy. You can not just give up junk food and eat and exercise properly for a small period of time, and then go back to your old self. A person has to change their habits for life not for a short period.

That being said Wii Fit may just get someone's interest up enough in the muscle / yoga side of it enough that they make that conscious choice to go to a gym or a class.

But if you think that Wii Fit is bad, then please could you also apply your tirade at all the other gimmicky lose weight products advertised on those stupid TV channels like QVC (electro belts, 6 second abs, step craptacularrrr and such).

As for £70 ? Go to Tesco's its around £55 there

 

[mrgreen4242]

I'd be interested in Wii Fit if it wasn't $80 (or is it $90?). That's just too much for a system that is supposed to be "cheap enough for everyone". Maybe I'll pick up a used one someday, but it's touch to justify a nearly $100 game/peripheral to me.

 

[Sky Blue]

...or is this just a massive case of 'emperors new clothes'

This is what £70? (amazon had it at £110ish) Which is about $140. What a waste of money.

Now I love games (I post here a lot), and I love sport. If you need to lose weight, this is NOT going to help you. It is a huge marketing GIMMICK. Go outside and have a nice walk. Your Wii Fit board will end up in the cupboard collecting dust next to your Super-Scope.

Now I appreciate that lots of people posting here are like me and enjoy 'proper' exercise. These comments are clearly not aimed at them. It is aimed at anyone who needs to spend that much money in order to do push ups, which are FREE. Jeez if need be, go to a toy shop and buy a Hula hoop! You can have the same experience, for less money, burn some fat and save some electricity!

Just turn it off. Go and walk your dog, cycle to the shops, whatever. I am going to walk round the campus lake in my lunch break.

(Normally I am very calm, but this thing boils my blood sooo much! )

I'm surprised we got to page 2 without a post like this. It's wii fit, not wii drop 30 lbs or wii muscle builder.
I don't have the room in my apartment for a bunch of gym equipment. I like to go for a run every other day now the weather is nice, but the weather's not always nice! sometimes it rains! sometimes it snows!
If there's a counter on the TV telling me how many push ups I've done and can track my progress, I'm far more likely to continue doing the proper amount.

Sure, some people will buy it hoping for miracles but if people stick at they're going to see some slight improvment in health.

Here's a guy who has actually played it! Shock, Horror!

In conclusion, Wii Fit works. But like any exercise it only works if the person using it is willing to put in the effort. I could have achieved the same results simply by doing sit-ups and push-ups everyday, and going for a run. In fact, that may have let me obtain even better results. However I don’t realistically believe that I would have had enough motivation to do that.

Wii Fit works because it shows me everyday how much I weigh, how much time I’ve invested, and how well I am doing on my exercises. It also keeps fantastic records that I can look back on and it makes charts showing my progress (or lack thereof).

"Just go for a walk" is like "all those nasty video games corrupt our children" to me. People who don't know what they're talking about.

And that "boils my blood"

 

[AJsAWiz]

I'd be interested in Wii Fit if it wasn't $80 (or is it $90?). That's just too much for a system that is supposed to be "cheap enough for everyone". Maybe I'll pick up a used one someday, but it's touch to justify a nearly $100 game/peripheral to me.

Initially I thought the same thing but then I realized that you are paying for both the controller (Wii Fit board) and software. When I considered that I thought it wasn't too shabby of a deal.

 

[AJsAWiz]

Of course they do, Wiifit isn't going to fix the nation. It'll likely have a smaller impact than Jamie Oliver did with his healthy school dinners. But I do see the psychological benefits, combining games and exercise might break down taboos with kids wanting to keep fit. Might not work since vegetables have been through colour changes and the likes to get kids interested which didn't really work!

I couldn't agree more

One needs to have a healthy diet (not a weight loss diet but consuming nutritious foods daily) and regular exercise. I see this (Wii Fit) as a supplement rather than a "cure all" answer for poor health.

End of sermon

 

[capoeirista]

Ok my turn

I don't have the room in my apartment for a bunch of gym equipment.

me neither

If there's a counter on the TV telling me how many push ups I've done and can track my progress, I'm far more likely to continue doing the proper amount.

You don't need the television on to help you count, if you did 20 yesterday, you need to do 21 today.

"Just go for a walk" is like "all those nasty video games corrupt our children" to me. People who don't know what they're talking about.

That's just trolling. I mean seriously!? You're suggesting that I'm anti videogaming? If so why would I spend my time and effort to write on the game section of MacRumors? Admittedly I'm 'old school' (broke) so haven't got into this generation of consoles, but I'm still keeping it real (been on a pilot wings retrospective recently) This is just my opinion on this particular peripheral. If anyone is still using this in a matter of months I, frankly, will be amazed. I refer you again to the Nintendo SuperScope....

And having played it, it can actually be fun.

This I don't doubt. Really!

But if you think that Wii Fit is bad, then please could you also apply your tirade at all the other gimmicky lose weight products advertised on those stupid TV channels like QVC (electro belts, 6 second abs, step craptacularrrr and such).

I couldn't agree more. But I think that the important phrase here is 'gimmicky lose weight products'. That, for me, is all this is. Or at least what people will believe it is.

Just my opinion...

As for £70 ? Go to Tesco's its around £55 there

Thanks for the tip

 

[Sky Blue]

That's just trolling. I mean seriously!? You're suggesting that I'm anti videogaming? If so why would I spend my time and effort to write on the game section of MacRumors? Admittedly I'm 'old school' (broke) so haven't got into this generation of consoles, but I'm still keeping it real (been on a pilot wings retrospective recently) This is just my opinion on this particular peripheral. If anyone is still using this in a matter of months I, frankly, will be amazed. I refer you again to the Nintendo SuperScope....

Yes, I agree, you are just trolling. I'm suggesting you're just as bad as people who dismiss games in general.
Why use a computer when all your tasks and calculations could be done by hand? Grab a pen and paper, and a newspaper, and go sit outside in the sunshine with all the rainbows and butterflies.

But I think that the important phrase here is 'gimmicky lose weight products'

i'm looking at the Wii Fit box and nintendo PR... I can't find this phrase. Whereabouts is it?

 

[MRU]

Yes, I agree, you are just trolling.

That's not fair. He is entitled to his opinion, however it would be a more balanced opinion if he had actually tried it for himself admitedly and that's where his argument loses merit.

Don't judge a book by it's cover and that applies to capoeirista too

 

[twoodcc]

sorry to interrupt the debate going on (and i do like debates, but i'll stay out of this one).

so the Wii Fit is out in Europe, but won't be out in the US for another month, correct?

also, it comes with the board. are there other accessories that you need to buy? or could buy?

based on what people have said, i think i really want to get it. not b/c i'm out of shape or anything (i'm a runner), but i like how it can log your info (according to some posts on here)

 

[capoeirista]

That's not fair. He is entitled to his opinion, however it would be a more balanced opinion if he had actually tried it for himself admitedly and that's where his argument loses merit.

Don't judge a book by it's cover and that applies to capoeirista too

MRU that's a fair comment. And thanks. I promise guys that if I ever get to give it a go I'll let you all know how I get on!

And that's pretty much all I have to say on the matter (I think my POV is fairly clear now)

 

[MRU]

also, it comes with the board. are there other accessories that you need to buy? or could buy?

You don't really need anything to make it work. However like I mentioned earlier I would suggest an exercise mat if you plan on doing the squats and push ups etc..

 

[twoodcc]

You don't really need anything to make it work. However like I mentioned earlier I would suggest an exercise mat if you plan on doing the squats and push ups etc..

oh ok. push-ups and all are not a big deal to me (easy). now yoga might be a different story.

anyways, are there any Wii accessories that go with it besides the board?

 

[MRU]

anyways, are there any Wii accessories that go with it besides the board?

Well you need to use a wii remote anyway... And with my gamestop pre-order I got a Wii Fit Official 1 litre exercise/water bottle. It's a water bottle in the shape of a weight so you can use it pilate style with some of the exercises. Though I think these were only with gamestop here.

 

[twoodcc]

Well you need to use a wii remote anyway... And with my gamestop pre-order I got a Wii Fit Official 1 litre exercise/water bottle. It's a water bottle in the shape of a weight so you can use it pilate style with some of the exercises. Though I think these were only with gamestop here.

oh ok. so nothing else to buy for it. thanks

 

[Sky Blue]

it's out this weeeeeeeeeeeekkkkkk

wednesday right?