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The Good Fortune of Wii Exercise

Posted by Zonk on from the wiiberobics dept.

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."

9 of 81 comments (clear)

  1. Sad Statement by HappySqurriel · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I love my Wii, but think that people losing weight from playing Wii games is more a sad statement on how out of shape people are then the implicit greatness of the Wii.

  2. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 5, Funny

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  3. I'll say! by NeoPaladin394 · · Score: 5, Interesting
    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.

  4. More Wii Exercise Is On The Way by tmjr3353 · · Score: 4, Informative

    Konami recently announced a DDR game for the Wii that will combine the traditional DDR gameplay with motion controls. IGN article is right here.

  5. Agreed by truthsearch · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I bet if those same people walked an hour each day they'd lose the same or more weight. But at this point if it takes the games of the wii to motivate them then it's overall a good thing.

    --
    Developers: We can use your help.
    1. Re:Agreed by DotWarner · · Score: 4, Funny

      Absolutely. The workout you get from running with an exercise bike is fantastic. I mean, those things are heavy.

  6. Re:In 2010... by ZetSabre · · Score: 4, Funny

    The worst skinny nerd epidemic since the great ramen famine.

  7. I was just complaining about the Wii recently... by JoshDM · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...after using it for the last couple of weeks, my right arm seems a bit stronger and beefier than my left arm.

    I haven't had this problem since before I got married!

  8. There's more to it by Cloud+K · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I've seen people say that it's not enough exercise,
    that it's a sad state of society that it takes games to get people to move (whatever... society never is pretty),
    that one shouldn't use the Wii as a substitute for proper exercise
    etc etc.

    But that's just it. First off, for many people any exercise is good exercise. Many people these days get *none* (other than walking to the fridge) so this is a major improvement.

    Secondly - it's not about what exercise the Wii gives you. It's about getting you on track. Since getting mine I got the "fitness bug" and have been doing other exercise activities (such as a brisk walk at lunchtime) and eating far more healthily. I'm even tempted to try some of the sports in reality. All of that was inspired by the Wii, and whoever thought up this idea needs a medal.

    Thirdly - even if you only count the Wii exercise, every little helps. It may not be much on its own, but when combined with using the stairs instead of the elevator on the way to work or whatever, parking further away and walking further, etc etc... it all adds up.