| The Nintendo Wii Fit was released to the public | | | | Training and Aerobics, all of which can be done |
| recently with much ballyhoo. If you haven't seen the | | | | without spending the $89.95 suggested retail price for |
| Nintendo Wii game system, it is the latest evolution in | | | | Wii Fit. |
| video game playing where players use the remote to | | | | Let's break down the Strength Training section as an |
| mimic real-life actions such as a tennis forehand. The | | | | example of some of the flaws in this game. The first |
| players' physical actions are then played out on the | | | | exercise is a Single Leg Extension, which is more of |
| screen. | | | | an exercise in balance than a strength training |
| The Wii Fit is a "game" that according to the | | | | exercise. Also, leg extensions do not mimic a real life |
| Nintendo website can increase your fitness levels. "By | | | | use of the leg, and the leg extension machine is |
| playing Wii Fit a little every day, you, your friends, | | | | perhaps one of the worst machines in the gym. |
| and your family can work towards personal goals of | | | | The next exercise is torso twists, which is more of a |
| better health and fitness," the site claims. While I | | | | dynamic stretch than a strength building exercise, |
| have yet to use the game at all, I can say that I am | | | | especially in the absence of any weighted bar or |
| highly skeptical that this will make a dent into | | | | dumbbells. That is followed by the push-up and side |
| America's growing obesity problem. | | | | plank. Now, I'm a big fan of both of these exercises, |
| The Wii Fit comes with a balance board that the | | | | but they are not for the de-conditioned. Most men |
| player uses to interact with the game. When you | | | | are not capable of doing pushups with correct form, |
| first start the game, the Wii Fit assesses your | | | | and women usually start out with the modified |
| balance - which is important in your overall health, but | | | | push-up until they have the strength to do regular |
| is usually not a concern to anyone who is not a | | | | form. |
| senior citizen or recovering from injury. | | | | The next exercise, jack-knifes, is for people who are |
| It then moves on to perform the Body Test, which | | | | advanced in their training. It violates one of the basic |
| is more balance assessment, followed by the | | | | principles of fitness professionals around the world - |
| calculation of Body Mass Index (or BMI). BMI is a | | | | never put a de-conditioned person on their back on |
| very flawed measure of one's fitness, as it measures | | | | the floor for anything. Lastly, the game makes the |
| the ratio of one's scale weight to one's height. So, on | | | | user perform lunges, which are great muscle builders. |
| the BMI scale, the following people are considered | | | | However, like stated before, you don't need to buy |
| Overweight or Obese: | | | | a game system to do them. |
| - Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees | | | | Overall, I give Nintendo credit for trying to make a |
| - Tom Brady of the New England Patriots | | | | game that tries to get people to be more active, |
| - Lance Armstrong of cycling fame | | | | which is more than can be said for other video game |
| - Arnold Schwarzenegger | | | | manufacturers. However, this will not do anything in |
| - Sylvester Stallone | | | | terms of chipping away at the American obesity |
| See where I'm going with this? Scale weight does | | | | problem. In fact, I'll go out on a limb and say that the |
| not account for the amount of lean body mass | | | | video game industry needs to follow the route of |
| someone is carrying. That is why body fat | | | | the tobacco and alcohol manufacturers, and state |
| percentage is the gold standard for measuring one's | | | | that excessive use of their product could lead to |
| fitness. | | | | inactivity and obesity, rather than try to make a |
| Also, measuring BMI on anyone under 19 is very | | | | half-hearted effort at increasing American activity |
| inaccurate. This already has become an issue for | | | | levels. |
| Nintendo, as a 10-year old athletic British girl was | | | | Rather than letting your kids play Wii Fit while you |
| assessed as being Fat by the game. Obesity experts | | | | watch TV in the other room, here are some things |
| jumped on Nintendo immediately, rightfully stating | | | | that you can do together: |
| that the game could cause irreparable harm to a | | | | - Go for a brisk walk |
| child's body image. Nintendo has since added a | | | | - Group session with a personal trainer |
| disclaimer that the BMI feature is meant for adults | | | | - Navigate a confidence course |
| only, but hasn't taken the step of deactivating it in | | | | - Play catch with a football or baseball |
| the game for child users. | | | | - Kick a soccer ball around |
| The game goes on to calculate a Wii Fit Age for the | | | | - One-one-one basketball |
| user based on your balance test results, actual age, | | | | - Walk and play a par 3 golf course |
| etc. Again, this is a very shaky measure of one's | | | | - Family yard work or snow shoveling! |
| fitness that could mislead people. | | | | You'll save money on electricity and form stronger |
| The Training section of the game is broken down | | | | bonds with your kids as you increase your fitness |
| into four sections: Yoga, Balance Games, Strength | | | | levels together. |