I love my Wii. It has helped with my almost five year old son's coordination. I am also looking forward to the Wii Fit. Should be interesting.

However, I would not replace the Wii with my daily exercise. I just think it's something fun to use.

I agree. Working out on a regular basis is very important and if the Wii is going to help people get up and moving I'm all for it! I come from a family of people who are traditionally sedentary and this is the first time I have seen them excited about moving around. It's giving them a tool to get them moving and motivated to get out and do things but I would definately not replace my workout schedule with it.

My son had a Wii and now has xbox 360 and plays the sports games and music games on them. They encourage more movement than other types, but not a heart-rate increase! It does not replace aerobic exercise! My son is involved in football, basketball and track for exercise and plays the games for fun.

I love the Wii because it is one of many ways I interact and exercise with my children of different ages. It helps with hand-eye coordination and we play while standing up. I remember the day after Christmas when we played the Wii for hours all of my children complained of muscle soreness although they are no longer sore from Wii use. I agree with the other commentator that it should not REPLACE regular exercise but it is a fun way to get off the couch and be more active.

I think there is a place for the Wii. It gets people up and moveing and that is a good thing. Sure those who are deconditioned might even work up a sweat but it is no substitute for an actual structured exercise program.

The Wii does not even begin to cover the fitness needs of children. They should be getting plenty of regular exercise, and like any video game, if they're getting plenty, then they can play as a reward.

Of any game system out there, it is my personal preferred system though. Kids don't slip into drooling lethargy like they do on other systems. It's just not an answer to the epidemic of children's obesity.

Neither are treadmills or fixed plane machines! I'm surprised that those are even considered options for children. They aren't miniature adults. They need to be able to run, jump, change directions, climb, etc. All of those need the best machine they could ever use... Their own bodies!

The idea of a game gym isn't bad if they are actually doing functional development movements, but I am naturally skeptical.

i personally like dance dance revolution and my daughter is way better at it than i but as far as the wii being a workout it could be if the person is sedentary but what about fresh air and just going outside to play way better of a workout

It's no worse than the nonsense most "so-called" personal trainers and the fitness media try to pass off as exercise.

The Wii may be great entertainment, but if you want exercise - real exercise - go pick up a barbell.

I've only played baseball on the Wii, but I have played DDR on my PS2. GREAT aerobic workout. Provided you use it on the workout setting. It also requires coordination, unlike many other popular cardiovascular workouts: jogging, spinning, cycling, etc. Now, I like getting outside as much as everyone else that's reading this, but these games are a fantastic alternative for kids whose idea of playing has become sitting on a couch for hours at a time. The only downside I can see is all the "Wii injuries" that we hear about in the news these days. Of course the question must be asked, is it the game, or the complete lack of conditioning in the people getting injured?

I have a Wii and I love it. While you can get a workout from some of the games, it should not be a replacement for a daily regimented exercise plan. I can say from experience that after playing the Wii Sports (specifically the boxing), my arms, shoulders, and back were sore for days as though I had worked out in the gym. My sister played it with us over Christmas and while she was driving home the next day, she said her arms hurt pretty badly and she had trouble holding them on the wheel. She works out daily and is not unfit! Again, in the name of getting off the couch, the Wii does its job. As far as a "workout" or getting exercise goes, a video game can only take you so far. We still need to encourage people (and especially children) to get off of the video games and outside to run around and use their imaginations, or in the gym to pump some iron!

I heard a radio news item about this issue & think it offers an avenue. The gist was that for physically challenged folk in need of an initial mild therapeutic intervention, this Wii workout concept could be worthwhile. But otherwise, put down the remote & back away from the TV.

anything that gets kids moving without them thinking about it is definitely good in my book

Trash sold to the lazy people looking for that miracle, and/or the easy way out.

it's a great concept...but...shouldn't we be getting the the kids away from the tv with controlers in their hands? whatever happen to going outside to play? we are hanging on to this "comfort zone" in front of the television.

Pure hype, completely useless as exercise, and an attempt to perpetuate the myth that vegetating in front of a console flicking your wrist is somehow educational and healthy.

Take a walk, throw a ball with your kids in the yard, go to the community pool, or pressure your school system to bring back mandatory PE 5 hours a week. Put down the electronic junk and go DO SOMETHING REAL!

The Wii is nothing more than a marketing ploy to sell electronics and justify "gaming" as beneficial. Numerous studies point to gaming and electronic stimulation as a major cause of the increase in ADD and ADHD in children. How many kids today have the attention span to sit quietly without any stimulation and read a book for 2 hours?

The bigger concern is the increasing incidence of re-classifying destructive children's behavior as acceptable. Used to be that kids who watched 40 hours of TV a week or played video games incessantly were accurately characterized as lazy, anti-social, slackers. Bring back PE, stop making excuses for parents and kids, and encourage everyone to leave the virtual world and come back to the real one.

As a college health and PE educator I applaud anything that will get people to move - at any age. My caveat would be lack of exposure to sunshine and vitamin D. How about getting PE back into schools - at all levels? Whatever happened to recess? Twice a day plus lunchtime. People have a lifetime to hit the books and learning takes place when a healthy mind is kept health in a heathy body.

Before I experienced the Wii myself as a trainer, my kid & adult clients said the were actually sore from using their sport Wii program. Then my husband I tried it and I completely agree that you cannot replace your fitness program for a video game like this. It should be supplemental to a balanced cardiovascular and strength training program instead of regular video games that just use the hands. I am curious to see how the Wii Fit turns out.

I think the Wii sports games and Playstation Dance Revolution are good games for those who may not subscribe to an exercise program. I have found that the Wii boxing and tennis games actually do raise your heartrate and cause muscle use. If you set the games at a faster pace, it does provide a workout.

The Wii is an excellent way to GET UP! In no way does it replace real physical exercise/activity, but it certainly beats having someone sit in front of a computer screen or 'vegging out' to yet another reality TV show.

Come on, we all know we've got to hit the gym or head outside for a jog/walk/game of catch, etc. but you also have to recognize (and be realistic) that the Wii has motivated a lot of people to at least get off the couch and that can't be such a bad thing, right?

Isn't the real question about moderation?

There's a place for the Wii especially in the sedentary population who won't exercise in any other way.

I think the games are fun. They do get kids up and moving. But, kids should be outdoors getting some good old fashioned exercise! If they can't, than this is better than no exercise at all. But parents can try to encourage both . That means they need to be up exercising also!

Sure, it's good for just basic movement and getting people up and at least moving. I have not personally used one and do not have any interest although it is a start for a deconditioned, sedentary person and hopefully will lead them to seek more along the lines of incorporating all elements that are involved in having a REAL fitness lifestyle.

If you saw my 8 year old sweating after about 10 minutes boxing the Wii opponent . . .
I think he's getting a great cardio workout.
Sure they should be outdoors, but with 12-14 inches of snow and temps around zero, withor without windchill, I take this now and riding his bike running around ouside when he can.

THESE WII WORKOUTS ARE GREAT. I HAVE STOPPED DOING RESISTANCE TRAINING AND STARTED DOING ONLY WII WORKOUTS. MY RESULTS? NOTHING SHORT OF UNBELIEVABLE. I HAVE LOST 5 INCHES FROM MY WAIST, GAINED 25 LB'S ON MY BENCH PRESS AND MY ABS ARE STRONGER THAN THEY HAVE EVER BEEN IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. THANK GOODNESS FOR THIS MIRACLE THEY CALL WII. WITH RESULTS LIKE THIS I MINE AS WELL CONTINUE ON THE WII PROGRAM. I'LL KEEP YOU ALL POSTED.

It's great for those coach potatoes, but there comes a point where the body will plateau. You constantly have to challenge the muscles and the heart for the body to continue making progress and the WII help those people at the beginning. To stop weight training is the wrong thing to do and this would really be considered more anaerobic than aerobic.

It's a good start from the video game industry.

It's a great way to get some physical activity back into our kids lives. They need to get off their butts and get active and this toy helps.

It is just another form of artifical exercise, kind of like "light tobacco". We are trying to blend exercise with bad habits to make it "appear" like the real thing...In other words, it's just a sales pitch to guilty parents of kids who are underactive..

I have not yet experienced the Wii. I am sure that any workout is better than no workout (if done correctly). For those who do not have access or affordability to a gym, this may be a great option. Personally, I prefer the gym, not only for the variety, but the social interaction with the rest of the members. PLUS, it keeps us trainers in business!!

It is a good supplemental activity, but there I still prefer exercise activities that does not involve the television. Simulation is nothing compared to actual real life activities such as biking, running, basketball, swimming and other sporting activities. One's functional speed, agility, and strength cannot develop well with computer games.

I would not replace the Wii with my regular exercise program. The Olympics games are great for short bursts of intense movement. Relay especially. I think if you are not an exerciser this would be a good place to start, Beats sitting around and watching tv and snacking.

Its makes more sense than running on a treadmill thats takes you out of your natural gait cycle. It is a heck of alot better than using a EFX by precor, or any other low inpact crosstrainer, where 95% of the users stay on their fore foot and skip a crucial part of their gait process. Open chain cardio and open chain strength are doing more damage than good. These are observations of mine. America is in trouble period. We are a nation of wearing out verses working out. The fitness industry should not be a buisness it should be a service. To many companys are trying to get richer at any cost. Alcohal and loose living is are biggest problems. We are truely a nation of spoiled bratts. NEVER QUIT!

I don't have a Wii, but after reading the Washington Post and other articles, I can't imagine it being a safe way to exercise without being properly taught about bio mechanics and more. We are living in such a fast paced technological world that, I personally would like to see it slow down. For couch potatoes, this may be a helpful start and that's all. Enjoy our outdoors as much as possible if a gym or group fitness is not in the picture! If people are using Wii vigorously, I hope they have a doctors approval. Not that's another chapter.

AS a Fitness Professional I never like to
encourage people to sit in front of a t.v.
or play video games. But if kids are at least
being active and moving I think it is a movement
in the right direction.
However, I think it does contribute to how our society
has become lonlier, and more isolated - couldn't the same objective be acheived by enrolling in a dance class? Or the forementioned activitiy that Wii games produce? Similar to guitar hero - why not take lessons to learn real guitar or learn guitar through video games? Seems like a bigger issue than one can answer in a small box

In a sedentary society like ours where two thirds of the people are overweight and one third is obese Nintendo’s Wii fitness and other interactive video games maybe one way to get some of these people off the couch and into exercise. Most Americans already spend too much time watching television or playing video games why not then take advantage of this fact and develop interactive games that will get people moving. I think this is a great idea, of course that I still prefer to go out and play tennis, go bowling or dancing on a Friday night and I rather get my workout everyday at the gym, however, for those people who live very sedentary lives, who have no intention of ever joining a gym and whose exercise would come exclusively from Nintendo then they would benefit from it. In addition a lot of children are spending more time playing video games, watching TV or chatting on the web while physical education programs are being cut down in their schools. These children and teens might also benefit from playing some of the virtual reality games that are being offered. I still have some reservations thought and they are as follows:
• Are the exercises being demonstrated by the video game biomechanically sound?
• Are there instructions included with each game that describe or demonstrate proper form for each sport or activity introduced?
• Are there warnings about overuse injuries encouraging participants to exercise restraint?

I believe that as long as people are healthy enough to exercise, use proper form, listen to their bodies, progress slowly and gradually as they would if they were just starting an exercise program the Wii work outs, dance and other exercise programs would be beneficial to them. In addition, it might encourage some of these people to actually try the real thing and get out of the house and away from the screen.

Sergio Villamizar, Fitness Center Coordinator
New Jersey City University
2039 Kennedy Blvd
Jersey City, NJ 07305
svillamizar@njcu.edu

There's nothing like old school games. Our parents didn't have to force us to go outside. We stayed outsided until the street lights came on, or our mother called for us to come in the house. I can't see playing Wii for 60 minutes straight. It's not, in my opinion, beneficial for our children to get the proper activity they need.

as a fitness trainer in a senior center, I think it's great. I see ,many seniors that would have been playing cards getting up from their seats for each turn moving around as if playing the game (eg bowling) and jumping up and down when they, or friend does well... it's great for fitness and fun.

Some people still prefers the old school way of working out and training. Wii is not just your average game with workout enhancement equipment. It also facilitate movement coordination since it simulates the real and functional movement of the body.

I think the Wii provides many of us a quicker and more fun way to get some exercise into our busy schedule. I have the Wii Fit and it has great toning exercises. I also have Wii Cheer which provides a ton of different dance routines plus a workout routine and I do work up a sweat if I do a couple of the dances in a row. I don't think the Wii should be a substitute for regular exercise but its a nice little addition to my workouts.

Marketing BS. The wii is nothing more than a toy cleverly marketed as a "health" and "fitness" solution - absolutely useless for exercise because it gives the illusion of activity. It also encourages isolation instead of real community activities.

Senior centers? Right. And whatever happened to the regular dances and socials that seniors love? Don't get duped by the hype - the wii will encourage a new generation of simulated fitness.

i have a wii system and use it often... i dissagree with those who say that it doent replace an excercise. have you not played the wii fittness? Or the strength exercises at that? Well when you do than i am sure that your opinion will change. for as a matter of a fact the push-ups will kick your bottom. what os the difference between movement in boxing and the movement with the wii remotes?