Comments on: If you’re fat, Wii Fit isn’t it

By: Mathew Hennessy

Mathew Hennessy — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:37:12 +0000

I’d like to see Wii/PS3/XBox/Bluetooth/USB-enabled exercise gear, particularly rowers/ellipticals/bicycles, that would enable doing stuff like keeping long-term stats, challenges, even multiplayer exercise!

I believe high-end big dollar health club gear has some of that, but it should be pushed down to the home gym stuff.

Who knows, have soldering iron, will hack

By: drunkliterature

drunkliterature — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:36:59 +0000

Matt, Thank you for pointing out a really often over-looked distinction! I think this is all rooted in this cultural perspective that we can buy ourselves a better body, rather than work at it. That a fancy new gadget is somehow better for us than actual work. You know something’s wrong when you start hearing the excuse, “Well, I’ll start getting in shape as soon as my Wii Fit/Gazelle/Bowflex gets in!” We wait for a product to signify the start to a lifestyle change. And this is why, more often than not, four months down the road that Gazelle functions more as a laundry drying rack than an exercise machine.

I mean, I’ll admit I’ve gotten a great upper body workout using Wii boxing– and wouldn’t actually step in a ring– but let’s be honest: Wii Fit can’t replace actual exercise. Exercise is a lifestyle, Wii Fit is a product. Perhaps it’s not necessarily an issue of one being better than the other. More accurately, the prevalence of Wii Fit is testament to the cultural phenomena of consumerism.

By: calebsimpson

calebsimpson — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:41:08 +0000

This is hilarious because my sister is wanting WiiFit. However she is a dance teacher so she gets her exercise. She could get out there and run though. I think she needs to. I feel bad though, I contributed to her laziness by buying her a game for the Wii my parents got for her.

By: roseyrebecca

roseyrebecca — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:37:04 +0000

I’m like Karen, I go to the gym regularly and to spin classes and I still want the Wii Fit.But I also see where Matt is coming from and sort of agree. I want the Wii fit because it looks like something fun to do on a lazy day. But I agree that a lot of people are depending on the wii fit to morph them into excellent shape without doing much else. I LOVE working out at the gym and actually going to spinning and pilates classes because other people are there doing the same thing and that’s motivating. If you’re waiting on a video game to help you get in shape, you really need to just stop and get your butt to the gym instead.

Matt, I really like this article. It’s very well written and you argue your point effectively.

By: Karen Dukess

Karen Dukess — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 22:27:11 +0000

Why look at this in such black and white terms? I’m a regular at spinning, biking outside and when there’s snow, cross country skiing. But I like Wii fit because it’s an easy and fun way to add some strength training to the mix, especially on evenings when my husband is out and I’m here with the kids and can’t get out. It’s not a miracle maker, that’s for sure, but all the feedback is distracting and fun enough to make push-ups and sit-ups a lot less boring. Lighten up!

By: libtree09

libtree09 — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 20:41:23 +0000

I gave up running about seven years ago, the knees were done and the operation removed the spring. Tennis, squash and racquetball also sidelined however I still bowl on occasion and go to a gym. It is all quite separate from wii fit. Wii is a video game and it is quite fun…few of the activities will result in getting in shape but I agree with Mr. Cook mine brother in law who suffers from arthritis loves the bowling game and it did get him to a real bowling alley and many who get no exercise at all do find time to play fitness games and work up a small sweat. Better than nothing I say. I love the boxing games which can work up a good sweat.

If I may, exercise is also not the route for trimming unless one is working at a serious training level. Exercise provides health in generous doses and I highly recommend it for that purpose…but for weight, no junk, little sugar and salt, lots of veggies and fruit, small meals throughout the day and don’t lose more than a couple pounds a week.

By: tsieling

tsieling — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 20:40:32 +0000

> instead of having “friends” on Facebook, why not actually–gasp–go spend time with actual people

I don’t have recent numbers but I believe most Facebook relationships are mirrored in real life. People use Facebook, like Twitter, to stay aware of what is happening in each other’s lives. When they do meet up in person, they’ve already ‘caught up’ on the small happenings, and discussions tend to focus in on the most significant developments or the parts that didn’t make it into the public conversation. The result can be better conversations face to face and deeper connections over those things not openly shared.

That’s not to say there aren’t downsides to social networking tools, but to frame them as trading the real for the virtual misses a lot of the point.

By: Todd Essig

Todd Essig — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 20:34:17 +0000

And instead of having “friends” on Facebook, why not actually–gasp–go spend time with actual people.

Or do you think that goes too far?

By: Lisa Takeuchi Cullen

Lisa Takeuchi Cullen — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:39:03 +0000

Change, schmange. Hand me the fruitcake.

By: beerzie

beerzie — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:54:12 +0000

You’re right…no equipment or membership is going to make a difference by itself. However, WiiFit, used correctly, is the real deal. (I have tried it and I know.) Like anything, if it works for you, I can’t knock it.