Wii Fit and Other Active Video Entertainment
We always lament the increasing amount of “screen time” that adults, and especially children, are getting these days. One of the real pushes from the Obesity Prevention Foundation is to limit screen time for youngsters to no more than an hour a day. It is believed that too much screen time (whether it’s television or computer screen, video game or handheld gaming device) means just that many more hours that are not spent being active outdoors getting exercise. And because the TV shows, movies, computer games and internet options are so much more interesting and entertaining, we seem to be losing the battle with kids spending more time in front of the screen and less time outdoors using their muscles.
But one exciting and positive development is the Wii Fit and some other games and entertainment systems either on the drawing board or filtering out into the marketplace. These entertainment systems involve physical activity, monitoring, scoring and advancing through levels of physical accomplishments, even yoga poses. And so far, adults and kids seem to find the Wii Fit pretty darn entertaining. It offers levels of challenge, levels of accomplishments, exciting awards when reaching levels.
Have you tried WiiFit or other active games? What do you think?
Tags: Childhood Obesity, exercise, Weight Loss Products, wii
January 28th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
I have played some of the games on the Wii Fit. It’s nice to do once in a while, but I personally like to get out in the fresh air. During the winter I don’t mind going to the gym but when the warmer weather is upon us, I like to get outside and ride my bike and actually interact with other people.
January 30th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
I finally got to try the Wii Fit last weekend at my sister’s house. It was so much fun! My kids really got into it and if they are going to play video games, why not have them get moving while they do it! (It is way too cold right now to go to the park after I get off work.) I can’t wait to get my own Wii Fit; I like being outside too, but until the weather warms up a bit after the sun goes down, this is just what the doctor ordered. And the exercise is really not easy stuff! The little trainer you have to follow during the jogging is a killer and my sides burned after doing a few sessions with the hula hoops!
Another nice thing about the Wii Fit is that it helps with balance and coordination. One thing I have found after my surgery was that I can get a little off balance from time to time when I walk because I am so used to carrying all the extra weight.
February 16th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
We finally did it! We went out and bought the Wii. That thing is amazing. My 6 year old’s favorite thing is working out and unlocking YOGA poses. Not the fun balance games, but YOGA poses. I personally like the strength training excercises and the balance games. Muscles I never even knew I had were killing me.
It is a huge competition between the adults and the kids to see who can be in the number one spot in each level of competition. It has led to us each ‘working out’ way more even though it is cold outside.