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alexpoole said:

Firstly I want to reiterate that I think any games consol manufacturer of software programmer that brings out a game that get s people off their backsides and being more active is a great thing.

However, if you think that playing a video based game will get you to lose body fat and get fit then I think you are sorely mistaken…sorry.

I mean I’ve had a good look at some of the games and there are a few that will make you sweat and work relatively hard but with regards to long term fitness and physique transformation I’m afraid the answer in almost every case is – No.

As the video below shows (don’t watch it all it does get boring) you need to think about what you consume as well….

Visit my blog to see the video – http://www.alexpoole.tv

…did you see all the booze on the table! Not what the inventors had in mind I guess.

Anyway if you want a fun interactive video game that is going to make you more active then this is a great purchase (I really commend Wii for attempting this) but if you want the real information on how to get in shape for the summer, burn fat and get sexy great looking abs then you need to join the free community I’ve put together with some other fitness leaders from the UK.

It’s absolutely free and we are giving away over 20 hours of free recordings where we tell you exactly how to get there.

Visit http://www.leadbritaintowellness.ning.com

See you on the inside!!

makattack98 said:

I’ve got to agree with you Alex. Wii does deserve recognition for trying to help people out, but there is no way an hour of video gaming can compare with an hour of hardwork through cardio and resistance training.

Also, great work on the blog and website, I must commend you for doing your best to help people with their fitness problems.

lechuck said:

While I do agree with you Alex that the Wii Fit system wont help you lose weight, but what I’ve seen and heard is Wii Fit offers a complete Yoga session. It allows you to follow the virtual instructor and the Wii Remote and that Foot Pad thing allows the Wii to track how well you are doing the yoga stretch. Helps you improve your Yoga for those who don’t have the time or money for classes. That is pretty cool in my books.

I’m not sure, but another useful thing would be if it had a nutritional guide that helps you balance your food intake.

The Yoga feature is still what I’d find the most useful. Wii Fit is an interesting step towards making “video games” more than just run and gun violence.

acrosstheuniverse said:

That Yoga feature sounds pretty cool! I think it takes the aspect of purely following a video and makes it an interactive way to work out. I find that sometimes I can’t tell if I’m getting the stretches right, without an instructor physically helping you.

Alex I totally agree with you along the lines of Wii games. It would be far-fetched to believe you can get fit off of playing a round of “tennis” everyday. But it is fun, and I have to admit a lot more engaging than just sitting on the couch with a console.

alexpoole said:

Thanks for all your comments.

Yes, the Yoga feature does sound pretty good.

The other problem I have with it is that it promotes the use of BMI as a measure of your body.

BMI is the biggest load of @*&£ that the health and fitness industry has ever used to equate the sate of your body.

Pretty much every person I played professional rugby with comes out as either overweight or obese.

I once knew a gym instructor who applied to join the police. They turned him down becuase his BMI was over 30 as he was only 5ft 2”, yet he could hold himself parallel to the floor, with straight arms. He was an ex gymnast.

Anyway, enough of a rant about BMI.

makattack98 said:

I love the BMI rant. My favourite stat is that Pro-bowl linebacker, Brian Urlacher would be considered obese because he is 6’0” and 254 pounds. I dare anyone to tell him he is obese. They can find out what getting hit by a truck feels like, and I don’t mean a Chevy.

NickUtah said:

I am a forty year old male in pretty good condition but carrying about 20 lbs that I have been unable or unwilling to to loose. I bought a Wii and Wii Fit about two months ago and had fun playing on and off for a few weeks. Mostly the fun balance games and the occasional yoga pose and the hula. I saw no real results except that I could do the 10 min hula without being dying. I then challenged myself to dedicate 3 weeks at 1 hour per day to see if results were possible. My routine is 10 min hula, 90 sec Plank, 10 Boxing, 30 jackknifes, 10 Advanced Step, 10 push ups with side planks, 10 min Island lap jogging, 3 yoga poses and 3 additional strength exercises to finish up my 50 – 60 min workout. I have been impressed with the results. Starting weight 217, 4 weeks later 205. I can even see my abs! I am still using the Wii fit every day and still enjoy every workout, but the most amazing thing is that now I feel motivated to watch what I eat which should compound the results. I turn 41 in about a month and my current goal is to be under 200 lbs by then. I haven’t been under 200 lbs in 15 years!