What, Me Wii?
I haven’t really been into video games since back in the 80′s, when my parents, a.k.a. “Santa,” got an Atari 2600 for me and my brother for Christmas. Oh, the fun we had playing Pitfall and River Raid! My mom wanted to try it out, but we barely ever let her.
Fast forward to my adulthood, when I can do anything I want. Sure, I could have gotten back into video games, but who has time? (One might say, who has time to blog? Touché, I say to that one. Touché.) Even as video game technology has advanced to include incredibly realistic graphics and much more bloodshed and, to its credit, zombies, I have remained uninterested, untouched, nonplussed, etc.
That is, until I saw my family playing games on the Wii™ system by Nintendo.
Eight adults, three children. All were going nuts. The youngest child was given a remote that didn’t work, and he played along with gusto, not knowing that he wasn’t really playing. We all shrieked and hollered, and I was captured on film:
I hadn’t had that much fun with electronics since that time at the arcade in 1987 when I got to the sixth Q-Bert screen. Oh yeah, if you know what I’m talking about, then you’re as old as I am.
When I was invited to host a Wii Fit™ Plus party for Nintendo at the end of October, I accepted gladly. Not only would I get to play with the Wii again, but I would also get a preview of the new and improved Wii Fit Plus game that somehow allows one to work out using the system. At home. For an easy few minutes a day, if that’s all one can spare. Even as a family activity. On top of all that, I got to invite a bunch of my friends to play, too.
We were told to dress for yoga, and that we would indeed be put through a workout. As a fan of yoga myself (despite the shortcomings of the gym classes I attend) I was intrigued.
Once we assembled, we sat through a demo of the Wii Fit Plus game. You can enter all of your personal stats, including height and weight, and the system will track the numbers for you on a daily basis if you wish. It measures your weight when you stand on the Wii Balance Board™ that is remotely hooked up to the Wii system. It even measures your center of gravity, which it uses as the goal for many of the exercises. Personal trainer Natalie demonstrated many of the functions of Wii Fit Plus and did a little workout while we watched.
Then it was time for us to try. We paired up to go through the pre-designed yoga workout by taking turns. I have to say I was skeptical. How would an electronic system be able to tell if I was doing the poses correctly? It’s all about the center of gravity as measured by the pad. Even in warrior 2, you keep one foot on the pad, which is a bit awkward at first, but I soon forgot about that because I was so focused on keeping the red dot in the yellow zone. It was NOT easy.
Once finished with the workout, the system told us how long we’d been working and how many calories we’d burned off. There is even a function that quantifies the calories in food.
So then they gave us food. But it was healthy, and also delicious.
After a little break for eating and drinking and mingling, we headed back to the stations to play the games included in the Wii Fit Plus. Because working out doesn’t have to be all work.
There is a chicken-wing-flapping game:
There is also an obstacle course that everyone compared to the TV show “Wipeout.” I failed miserably, running off the track into the water at the first jump. I enjoyed watching my friends having fun trying to master the games:
I also remember a balance/brain exercise game that is a combination of Simon and whack-a-mole using only your hips. I was good at that one.
Then the best part and the disclosure blah blah: after providing me with an invitation platform, a party for 17 of my friends, food, and fun, all of which was free, Nintendo gave everyone there a Wii Fit Plus. Half the crowd were bloggers and half weren’t, and you could tell at that moment. Let’s be honest – as bloggers we are not strangers to getting awesome gifts when we attend an event. I’m not saying the bloggers weren’t delighted to receive it. But the non-bloggers were as happy as my brother and I on that Christmas morning over 2 decades ago when we saw our bitchin’ Atari 2600.
And then, because I didn’t already have a Wii myself, they gave me one of those, too.
Everybody say “Wii!”
I said “I’ll take ten.”
Here are some thoughts from some of the other guests at the party:
“It’s a really fun set of games that make you enjoy getting a workout, especially the obstacle course and the hip shake/count-to-ten one. Love those! Then the way you can actually customize a workout, designed specifically for your time and needs, that’s very cool. I think it’s a very cool device.” –Sarah
“Josie and I had a great time, from the delicious smoothies that started the night to the awesome games and fun that ended it. My favorite moment in particular was watching the expression on one the Nintendo guy’s face as I utterly bombed the Snowball Fight game. ‘I’m pathetic,’ I told him. He kindly demurred and explained that I needed to move from my upper body only. ‘You’re throwing your entire weight into it,’ he said. So what else is new?” –Vicki
“Of the new games, I’d say my favorite is Obstacle Course, or whatever Nintendo calls it. It’s basically like the reality TV show where people make idiots of themselves going through an obstacle course. You get to do that without actually getting wet or injured or humiliated beyond the spectators in your TV room. Two thumbs up. ” –Michael
“It was so fun and silly and it got me laughing and forgetting about all the stresses in my single parent life. For just a little while. And, most importantly it got me hopeful that I can figure out a way to get exercise back in my life without it adding more stress by trying to make it work or costing a fortune in babysitting fees and gym memberships. It will be a while to save up for the Wii itself though.” –Sandri
“I had a great time at the Wii Fit party because I was able to do Wii yoga without a 4-year-old trying to knock me over while I did the tree pose. It was such a peaceful setting to get to know other mom bloggers and find out more about Wii. It seems that most of the problems I had with my Wii Fit have been fixed and I have renewed motivation to do yoga/workout at home now that I have a new Wii Fit Plus (thanks Nintendo!).” –Yvonne
“It is nice to exercise and hear laughing instead of moaning!!” –Kate
And now for the more awesomely awesome part. If you’ve actually gotten this far, you are lucky ducks. Nintendo has given me an additional Wii and Wii Fit Plus and I am going to give them away to a lucky commenter right here on this blog! Here are the rules:
- Leave a comment here with a valid email address (no exceptions, even if I know you) and your answer to the question: “How would you fit some fit in with Wii Fit Plus?”
- Entries will be accepted until 11.59pm on May 31, 2010.
- Entrants must be 18 or older and live in the U.S
- My family members and Nintendo employees are not eligible to enter (Sorry Mom.)
- Winner will be chosen from qualified entries using random.org and announced on June 2, 2010.
- I will contact the winner by email.
Namaste
My 2 boys and I will wear each other out with Boxing!
My children go to bed pretty early so I would be able to use it in the evening.
I’d do yoga with my kids.
I’d use the Wii Fit Plus while my older kids are at school and my younger one’s napping . . . and I think it would fun to do as a family too.
WOW! This would be great to help us keep fit this summer especially on rainy days during summer vacation and even cold snowy days this winter! Fingers crossed! Thanks! senekers@comcast.net
This would be a great pick me up in the morning. I get up very, very early and would like to put the exercising behind me for the day.
Really decent post… I love it. Keep ‘em coming…
I loved your article.. You are witty and entertaining. I love the pics illustrating your story too. My one friend has already lost 20 pounds with the Wii Fit. I’m glad this system and games is around!
While it’s hot outside I will enjoy getting fit with my Wii Fit Plus.
I’d love the Wii Fit Plus–It would give me the flexibility to fit exercise into my day any time, when it fits my schedule. My family would also benefit because it looks like so much fun, I know they would want to exercise too!
I would fit some time in the evenings before dinner! I wish I could say in the morning before work but I know that would be a total fib since I can never manage to get up early! LOL
Thanks
I would start getting some “fit” into my life by using the Wii Fit for yoga. I had recent spinal surgery and have been cleared for simple yoga exercises. Thanks!
ariel36disney [at] yahoo [dot] com
I would fit in a workout after college math class before the kids got home from school but summer is here so I would workout with them!
candyclc@gmail.com
I would get up an hour earlier than usual just to get some Wii Fit in!
I would just have to do so quietly! lol
I’d love to win this!! I need to lose weight and get in shape and this would be a ball to use!
I would use the Wii Fit Plus in the morning before I go to work. i am starting a new job soon and I think the Yoga exercises would be a great way to come into the office relaxed and confident
After the kids go to bed!
My husband and I both need to lose weight. I just started a physician-monitored program, but it’s hard to find time to exercise. We have some bad elements in our neighborhood, so we’ve cut out the walks we used to take around here. We try to walk downtown (where we work), but if there’s bad weather or an errand we need to run before the store closes or something, then we head out. With the Wii and Wii Fit, we could exercise indoors no matter what the conditions are outside, we can exercise after dark, whenever we have time, we have a way besides just boring old jogging in place.
I’d love the wii and Wii Fit Plus. I have some disabilities that making using regular work out equipment challenging. This would be perfect
I would Wii Fit Plus in the morning after I take my son to school.
I am currently trying to lose weight and with 2 children, running around all day and not really having time to go to the gym, I would use this as part of my morning work out, which I hear is beneficial and so I am really crossing my fingers on this one!!
Jordan B
I could fit it in the mornings before the kids get up or at night after they go to bed.
I’d fit some fit in between my classes in my dorm
Great for getting fit during the summer!!
I would play the wii fit with my girlfriend so we could both get back into shape! Awesome!
I could really use this! I would workout on it while my girls are at school. My oldest daughter also needs to get in some exta exercise. Thanks for the giveaway!
I would use the Wii Fit before work to do yoga or boxing!
I would use it every day to get into shape for my next pool party and vacation and I would allow my mother in law to use it so we can finally sell her step machine that is taking so much room in our living room.
I would use it with my daughter. She is a skinny little thing, but likes the sit down video games better than the stand up and do things video games. This way she would get some exercise, I would get some much needed exercise, and we could spend time together at the same time!
I would like to use this..as it looks like it would make exercise more fun. If I was to win I would fit this fitness Wii program in on a daily basis, sound like fun
I could use this to get my workout in at school where I do not have exercise TV on demand like I do at home!
I would use it to get a little fitness in over the weekends. My family works so hard to keep things going and in order, and they could use the fun time. I’m so busy at school trying to get into a good university, so time over the weekends is all I really have to get in a little fun and fitness. My parents are saving up the money for me, which I am very thankful to them for, so we all could really use the time together to get fit…as a family!!!
I would use it when I get home from work. My husband would
use it during the day. He had a stroke and he needs to be
able to exercise at home. Thanks so much
I would use the Wii Fitness to work on my core training in the privacy of my living room.
my son needs this to help him move more we have moved a lot and has no friends so he needs new things
I’d use the wii-fit to motivate my family into getting into shape, not to mention it would be a wonderful new game for my little nephew to enjoy, since he’s already showing signs of becoming overweight~
I need the Wii Fit to get me back in workout mode.
I have a sun allergy and can not go out much during the day.My evenings are busy with my 4 kids and hubby so I do not have time to go out and exercise.I would love to be able to use this during the day when I have my free time to get in some exercise.I am overweight and have diabetes so I really need to lose weight.My oldest is also borderline diabetic and overweight.She played this at a friends house and had so much fun.I think this could really benefit my entire family.Thanks!
lstanziani(at)yahoo(dot)com
I’d be able to fit in some fun exercise time on my normal rest/recovery days, and it’ll be a fun way to pass the time until football season begins.
I would compete in Wii Fit activities with my fiance instead of sitting on our butts watching TV.
I would use this when I got home from work because I heard that exercising in the evening is better for you. I’d use it at least 3 times a week. Probably with my hubby.
I’m sweating when I get done playing Wii Sports with my grandson so I would look forward to getting exercise with the Wii fit with my grandchildren. Thanks so much for this offer. camsgram@kc.rr.com
I would fit some fit in with Wii Fit Plus by waking up early and making exercise a priority.
I’d use the Wii Fit Plus later at night when my children are in bed
I’d use it with my kids! I think we’d all have fun doing it together.
I have done yoga for years and the yoga game on this wii system would be cool to try out. Thanks for the chance and good luck to all who enter, and happy summer!!!!
I imagine I would get up allot of mornings and play a game or two of bowling. My own private bowling alley in my own home. VERY COOOOOOLLLLL!!!
I’m an “empty-nester” and the grandmother of two (soon to be three!) I’ve found that having too much time on my hands add up to putting on the pounds. When you have little ones to care for, you have no time to eat and are constantly active! I used to be 115 lbs. after 2 children, but now have a tough time losing the weight. I’d make an appointment with myself daily to have “me time” for a Wii Workout!
Days are so very hectic, it’s hard to “fit in” fitness. I would love to use a Wii and the Wii Fit to incorporate a convenient way to stay healthier
kimbly at g mail dot com
I would set it up upstairs and do yoga