Hi wondered whether anyone is using the wii for fitness and if so which games ad of course for how long??

Have been playing tennis and am finding boxing raising my heart beat so what is everyone else doing ?

thanks for sharing

I havent got a wii yet, but I am definitely interested in this for the future. I couldnt get hold of one before Christmas so I am waiting for the rush slow down. I have tried it and I think its great. Go for it.

I'd never prise it out of my son's hands...

It is brilliant. Before I fell off the wagon at Christmas, I used it twice a day and with very little careul eating, lost a stone.

If you do use it, remember to do your stretches after, or like me, you won' be able to get out of bed the next day

Didn't they just come out with a report about using the Wii for fitness? and that it doesn't actually increase your fitness levels. Good fun though. I want one too after playing with partner's nephew's wii he got for x mas.

Anyrthing that gets people off the settee has to be a good idea. Use it to compliment more traditional methods of exercise and you are on to a winner.

Boxing is definitely the best as long as you're prepared to dance around on your toes and generally imitate a real boxer - and you don't mind not getting a good score. All the high scores on my wii have been earnt by other people sitting quietly on the sofa and doing the minimum necessary.

the wii is great BUT USE WITH CAUTION . I pulled a muscle in my shoulder and ended up spending a fortune on osteopath treatments !!!
Recommend stretching exercises before and after. javascriptaste_strinL('',3,'','','')

Best thing I have ever done as far as my daily exercise in concerned is to get a springer spaniel! I walk briskly for 2 hours a day, rain or shine through the New Forest, lost a stone in 8 months, flat tum, toned bum and legs, and hoping to lost a final stone this year, still eating well so its the exercise that makes the difference. Also I have to do more housework cos of all the dog hair etc!

A dog is just great for keeping fit and slim guys!

excellent, so do we reckon
boxing then tennis for keeping fit on the wii

<am off to find the right discs and put on the machine>

In the next couple of months the 'Wii Fit' will be launched in the uk. Its a balance board with pressure sensors which looks like bathroom scales. It will come with games like yoga and step aerobics as well as fun stuff like heading footballs and hula-hooping. Apparently loads of health and fitness companies are designing new software for it.

It will also track your weight etc. Got mine on preorder at 25quid. Need to shape up as my wife keeps beating me at boxing...

Hiya boxing is really good , tennis is good but watch out for the light fittings!!! lost a few llbs and a lot of £££s replacing damm lights. I have preordered "Wii fit" too looks good.

Hi Gordon, Where have you got it on pre-order??

Paul

Hi
Can anyone tell me were to pre order "wii fit"?

berni

Unfortunately can't tell you where to pre-order the new game, but just wanted to add that the tennis game is brilliant, particularly when you are playing against someone else.

I know you'll all hate me for this,but....get a life everyone!

Get out and play the sport for real , not on a screen.
I know you think it's good but there is no resistance and you are more likely to hurt yourselves by over-extending at the tennis etc.

My niece is a computer/game geek and has almost lost the art of social interaction as a result.

Get out and live your life before it's too late.

Here's a tip. Don't get a wii - get a life!

Val x

To be honest, I'm a bit offended by the fact that some people still believe that computers and social interaction are mutually exclusive. I have a wii. I also have an extremely busy social (and professional) life. I do very well for my self.

I maintain that some exercise is better than none, and if people feel more comfortable bouncing round their house pretending to be Roger Federer or Ricky Hatton than in lycra at the gym - then it's a good start!

Yes, it's not brilliant, nor is the wii the be-all-and-end-all of any fitness regime, but on a rainy day when you have a group of friends over it can be rather nice to whizz yourselves around the living room playing tennis doubles.

Life is about having fun. Sometimes, just sometimes, that might involve a computer for some people. Don't chastise them for it. Don't make them feel inferior for it.

Apologies for the rant (and no, I don't work in computers).

Becky x

Can't see a problem in having a wii and a life? I run / cycle (until recent accident), gym three times a week, watch derby county home matches for punishment, and when I fancy it, have a go with the kids' wii and guess what?

It's bl**dy good fun!

Couldn't agree more with Becky's post although I do work in Computers...

My post seems to have stirred a few people up.

May be I didn't make my point too clearly.
I am not saying don't use your Wii , what I was trying to say was that don't use your Wii as your only exercise.
Yes I can see that they are fun to use , but get serious and don't think that it will get you fit.
Unfortunately you need to put in a bit of effort and hard work and I don't see the Wii providing the resistance or stamina workout required.

So enjoy your Wii , but don't pretend that it is a good substitute for a proper workout or use it for an excuse not to go to the gym/run/play tennis or whatever.

Hi Doug,
Agree about not making it your only form of exercise, however, in defence of the wii, i did the boxing game for about an hour and my arms ached the next day and I'm used to doing a good amount of exercise. Have you tried using one as I'd be sceptical without experience of one but having had a thrash on one I wouldn't discount what may be achieved with the wii.
Paul

On saying that; I note there's no Wii category on the Times Exercise tracker!!!

But there is.... I spotted it when I was detailing my walk!!!

Blimey, I take that back! Does it say what game as I'd imagine only the boxing game really gets heart rate up??

Nope, Just general wii-ing. But I've found if you really get into the tennis some of the harder challenges and play a few games then you can really get the heart pumping.

Equally a few of the party games such as Rabbids and Sonic's Olympic Games can give you quite a good upper body whiz round - Just make sure you stretch before! I've pulled a couple of muscles going from cold...

I have played on a Wii , so I am speaking from experience.
They are great fun but I stand by what I said.

My concern is that as there is no actual resistance (no heavy bowling ball for instance) it would be very easy to over extend the arms and have a risk of pulling muscles or stretching ligaments/tendons.

I think that's why a lot of people ache after playing for any length of time.

But I guess waving your arms around is better than no exercise at all.

You're probably right about that, hadn't considered that. One of the wife's friends is convinced she's lost pounds doing the boxing though, admittedly it's anecdotal but there you go.

If you are interested in buying the new Wii Fit game, read Robert Crampton's piece in The Times Body&Soul section this Saturday, as he was given an exclusive sneak preview. Alternatively find the feature on the Times Health Club.

Now that they have been out for a while does anyone use their Wii for regular exercise or were they just another fad?