Wii Fit was finally released to the Canadian public on the morning of May 21. The frenzy nearly rivaled the original Wii release, as online stores sold out of pre-orders and police were present at some of the larger department stores to prevent scuffles between eager consumers. My significant other arrived at Best Buy right at the 10:00am opening to discover people already exiting the store with the game. By the time she got inline to pay (approximately 10:15am) there were only 6 units left. Apparently, the store was full of cops, nerds and pushy mothers – the latter two representing the target market for Nintendo’s exercise-driven video game.
Wii Fit’s initial fitness evaluations are similar to those of a real gym – users initially stand on the balance board while the squeaky-voiced, online characterization of the board measures weight and BMI. If your BMI is well above the prescribed 22 then the character makes an audible and condescending gasp. Assuming you’re not totally gutted by that point, Wii Fit presents a menu with several categories of activities:
- Yoga (includes deep breathing, tree and shoulder stand)
- Strength (includes rowing squat, single arm stand and jackknife challenge)
- Balance Games (includes ski jump, slalom and tightrope walking)
- Aerobic (includes jogging, step aerobics and rhythm boxing)
Each of the categories provides a few initial games, leaving the rest to be “unlocked” via the Fit Credits earned for each minute of physical activity. Some of the activities require the user to mimic the actions of a gender-selectable trainer while others are contests similar to the training section of Wii Sports. The objective is to perform several of the activities daily, accumulating Fit Credits until new activities can be added. Difficulty for each activity can be increased when the default settings become too easy.
The real question is: does Wii Fit work? I’ve only had the game for a couple days but the aerobic activities will break a sweat after a few minute. Some of the strength training exercises are quite difficult on the upper body, except perhaps to someone who trains with the Cirque du Soleil. Truthfully, all the tools and metrics required to systematically get in shape are present if you’re willing to put in the time. Wii Fit allows you to set goals and track your progress from week to week. High scores for many activities are maintained so you can compete with your mates. Miis are supported and certain games allow two to play at once.
For regular exercisers, Wii Fit is a convenient addendum unlikely to cause mass membership cancellations at the local gym (my personal trainer sneered I’d be disowned for even entertaining the thought). For one, a context-free BMI measurement is at best imperfect, being hugely biased against muscular or voluptuous builds. Moreover, there are obvious limits to any exercise program requiring movement only within a 4 foot radius. Regardless, for those whose physical regimen consists of walking up the driveway to their cars and lifting Big Macs, Wii Fit would be a nice start on the path to better health.
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