Fat Ninja

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We got Wii Fit the day it released. I haven’t spent a ton of time with it yet, but I plan to. We spent the first day getting everyone’s body tests done. I will say that the BMI test seems a bit strict, but I don’t know what people expected from it. Once we got everyone set up we ran through some of the training exercises. The kids loved it, particularly the Balance Games and the short run event in the Aerobics section.

As for me, I didn’t really jump into it with the fervor that I expected initially. I think a lot of that was just being nervous that my substantial bulk would crush the poor Balance Board. I’ve since gotten over this fear and I’ve found myself heeding the little health tips that Wii Fit has suggested. I’ve been more conscious of my posture and the way that I distribute weight to my feet when walking. Best of all, however, I actually woke up early this morning intent on getting some Wii Fit in. I did a quick 10 minute routine of some Yoga, some Strength Training and a little Aerobics (Hula Hoop ftw!). Sure, it was only 10 minutes, but I felt a lot more awake and energized.

I completed my routine when I got home from work, and I found my enthusiasm for Wii Fit increased. So much so, that I got up early today in the hope of keeping up a trend. The thing that I like the most is the fact that the exercises are really simple to follow. I think the system is set up brilliantly and the difficulty slope is nice and gradual, building on itself and allowing you to work into it at your own pace. I really like the way that the exercises are organized. The first exercise category is Yoga, which I find is a perfect warm-up as it focuses you on breathing, posture, balance and stretching. I honestly think that as I keep up with it, all of these attributes will improve, making me more effective at the other exercise categories.

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The next category is Strength Training. The exercises here are low impact and easy to do. Some of the exercises in this section rely heavily on balance, and this is a bit of a challenge for me right now, but, again, I think this will improve as I focus on Yoga. In addition to the Lunges that I mentioned earlier, they have stuff like Leg Twists and the Push-Up To Side Plank. I think the thing I’m most impressed with about this category is that even the exercises that I didn’t think I could do, like the Push-Up To Side Plank, are actually proving to be within my reach. As you work through the exercises, you’ll unlock new routines and increased repetitions, so there’s always a strong sense of progression.

Strength Training is followed by Aerobics. I honestly haven’t devoted as much time to this category as Laura has, but that’s mainly because of the fact that it focuses on step routines and running in place. Given my weight and the fact that we occupy the second floor directly over my mother-in-law, me stomping around is something I try to avoid. The Hula Hoop routine is fun and surprisingly effective at getting my heart-rate up. I have done the beginner’s step routine and found it to be a good work-out that really tests my agility and coordination. Again, you can unlock more vigorous exercises, but I’ve only noticed this because of Laura’s progress in the Aerobics category. The Super Step routine is pretty impressive with its increased pace and additional steps. I think if I can schedule my routine at a decent time of day, I’ll be able to unlock these exercises myself.

Finally, we have the Balance Games section. As you might imagine, this portion of Wii Fit emphasizes balance. This section is really more about just having fun than anything else. There’s exercise to be had, but stuff like the Soccer Game that has you shifting left to right to head soccer balls and avoid flying soccer cleats. Given the importance of balance to all of the other categories in Wii Fit, this portion is really the foundation of everything else. That it’s fun is just a bonus.

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In closing, I think what Nintendo is doing with the Wii is fantastic. They’ve really made gaming so much more accessible to a general audience. I mean, on our trip out East my wife’s Uncle was playing Wii Sports, and this is a guy that’s as much a non-gamer as you’re apt to find. But what I love most about it (and Wii Fit only emphasizes this) I think they’ve really taken every stigma that is attached to video games and countered it with very real effect. They have made gaming an “activity” on a lot of levels. In addition to getting kids and parents off the couch, I love that practically every first-party game I’ve played employs primarily text for conveying directions and storyline. I think all of this makes gaming that much less of a passive experience.

As for Wii Fit, granted, I’m still basking in the afterglow, so my enthusiasm is at a fever pitch. Still, I’ve never really been motivated to exercise. Sure, a lot of my renewed interest is driven by the growing realization that I am 1) getting older and 2) mortal. Still, I think it’s great that Nintendo is actually making gaming healthy. Wii Fit doesn’t ask for any major lifestyle changes, but I think it might just help me enough that I’ll decide to make those changes on my own.

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