Reflections on the Wii Fit

Anyone who knows me well is aware of the fact that I don't have much love for video games. Though studies have not shown a correlation between video game play and lessened social interaction, and Medical professionals have decided not to classify them as addictive, my personal experience has shown that there can be serious negative consequences from frequent use. Generally speaking, though some studies show avid gamers have increased visual skills, I have seen nothing positive gained from regular use.

However, since the Wii was introduced, my feelings have changed dramatically. The incredibly interactive nature of the games, as well as the physical benefits made the games much more fun and interesting than the traditional first person shooter has ever been. I have surprised myself by inviting friends and neighbors over to play Wii games, and have been even more surprised by how excited people are to accept these invitations. I would not have thought that, at 30 years old, I would spend a Friday evening playing video games?

Since the Wii was introduced it has changed the way many people view gaming, and is even being used to help fine tune surgical skills. Now, with the release of Wii Fit, it can be used to actually improve over all health and wellness.

We received the Wii Fit last week, and I have used it every day since then for at least half an hour. The game is designed to give you constant positive reenforcement, unlocking more physically demanding games after you have completed certain work out combinations, gained points for time spent playing or after repeating tasks of a set number. It scores your play by looking at factors like balance and stability, and tells you when you've beat your personal best score, even if it doesn't beat other high scores. Additionally, the trainer constantly helps you with your form, reminds you about breathing, and suggests fitness tips like "Imagine your perfect body while you exercise," as you go through your routine.
The game helps you realize that fitness is about more than weight loss and counting calories, and helps you work on centering your body through a variety of tasks, including yoga. In the past week that I have been playing, I have watched as my balance moves closer to the center, and I have felt a real difference in my posture throughout my day.

I began to really think about the way that this game could affect people's lives while I was talking to my Dad, who is recovering from a heart attack. He is unable to do high impact exercise right now and considering that he isn't even allowed to drive a car, going running or to the gym is out of the question. It occurred to me, though, that for those people going through physical therapy or recovering from an illness, this is a perfect opportunity for them to work independently towards their goals. For people like me, who are active but have never developed a fitness routine, it is an ideal way to work towards physical improvement in a judgment free environment. If I fall over doing a yoga pose, there is no one to see me. Furthermore, it takes away some of the problems of a traditional gym, such as traveling to get there or finding a class that fits your schedule. While I know that I could do something similar from watching a video or reading a book, I wouldn't get the feedback I get from the game. It tracks my repetitions and shows me my daily improvement.

I truly feel that the Wii can have a positive effect on our communities, and not just for children or teens. Just as there is a game that hones surgical skills, I can see so much potential for games geared at increasing activity for seniors, or for rehabilitating sports injuries, to say nothing of programs that will interactively assist with weight loss, strength training and increased flexibility. For people who have emotional or mental reasons for not wanting to work out in public the Wii is perfect, and for those who find time to be a real issue, it is almost impossible to make excuses about why you can't find 20 minutes to work out in your own living room.

Most important, though, is that the Wii Fit is actually fun. The step routine is strangely addictive, the yoga is both intensely physical as well as relaxing and the balance games are more challenging than you could imagine. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to find. Yet another result of the ongoing war in Iraq and America's huge foreign debts is that high demand items are purposely being understocked in the US so they can be shipped to foreign nations with stronger currency. It is a sad fact that a console and game that could so positively affect an under-active and overweight population is also largely unavailable to a country where those negative qualities have, sadly, become part of our defining characteristic.