Wii Fit?

[jweeks22]

So I have been looking around, trying to see if anyone else had addressed this, and I don't see anything. I even tried the search.

My question: Is the Wii Fit really effective in weight loss? I am specifically talking about the actual Wii Fit program. The workouts seem to slow paced to be doing really much good, but I read somewhere, I don't remember where, that slow but long workouts are better because they affect the way your muscles use energy. But if you aren't sweating how good can the workout be?

And is the Fitness Trainer program any better?

Any input, whether you have tried it, or are a professional and want to weigh in, would be appreciated.

 

[Steve]

Firstly, it appears you're operating under some misconceptions. Let's try and clear them up before anything else.

My question: Is the Wii Fit really effective in weight loss?

That's an impossible question to answer without providing context.

Here's my point...

For someone who has been completely sedentary, pretty much anything that gets them up and moving more than they were in the past will cause positive changes in the body.

For someone who is accustomed to very specific, intense training, something like Wii Fit, more than likely, isn't going to provide sufficient stimulus to cause positive changes.

Secondly, weight loss is simply a matter of establishing an environment where more energy is being expended than consumed. Calories = Energy.

So if Wii Fit helps you in establishing said environment... well than you have your answer. This doesn't say anything about the optimality of the "program" or anything but that's not what you asked.

The workouts seem to slow paced to be doing really much good,

Some of my workouts are extremely slow paced. For instance, some of my resistance training sessions will include sets that might last 30 seconds or so and I'll rest 3 minutes until doing the next set.

Pace isn't too important a factor unless you're in a race.

but I read somewhere, I don't remember where, that slow but long workouts are better because they affect the way your muscles use energy.

Intensity and duration of exercise will certainly play a role in what fuel substrate (energy) your body uses but that's not of importance when it comes to fat loss.

So the article you are recalling is incorrect if they're saying fuel substrate use is an important consideration in fat loss.

But if you aren't sweating how good can the workout be?

Sweat does not indicate the efficacy of a workout.

****

Here's a recent abstract that might be of some interest...

Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009 Dec 9. [Epub ahead of print]
METs In Adults While Playing Active Video Games: A Metabolic Chamber Study.

Miyachi M, Yamamoto K, Ohkawara K, Tanaka S.

Health Promotion and Exercise Program, National Institute of Health and Nutrition, Toyama 1-23-1, Shinjuku, Tokyo 162-8636 Japan.

INTRODUCTION:: Active video game systems controlled through arm gestures and motions (Nintendo WiiSports) and force plate-controlled video games (WiiFit plus) are becoming increasingly popular. This study was performed to determine the energy expenditure (EE) during WiiFit plus and WiiSports game activities. METHODS:: Twelve adult men and women performed all the activities of WiiSports (5 activities: golf, bowling, tennis, baseball, and boxing) and WiiFit plus (63 activities classified as yoga, resistance, balance, and aerobic exercises). Each activity was continued for at least 8 min to obtain a steady-state EE. As EE was assessed in an open-circuit indirect metabolic chamber consisting of an airtight room (20000 L or 15000 L), subjects were freed of apparatus to collect expired gas while playing the games. MET (metabolic equivalent) value was calculated from resting EE and steady-state EE during activity. RESULTS:: The mean MET values of all 68 activities were distributed over a wide range from 1.3 METs (Lotus Focus) to 5.6 METs (single-arm stand). The mean MET values in yoga, balance, resistance, and aerobic exercise of WiiFit plus, and WiiSports were 2.1, 2.0, 3.2, 3.4, and 3.0 METs, respectively. Forty-six (67%) activities were classified as light intensity (< square3 METS) and 22 (33%) activities were classified as moderate intensity (3.0 square- square6.0 METS). There were no vigorous-intensity activities (> square6.0 METs). CONCLUSION:: Time spent playing one-third of the activities supplied by motion and gesture-controlled video games can count toward the daily amount of exercise required according to the guidelines provided by the ACSM and AHA, which focus on 30 minutes of moderate-intensity daily physical activity five days a week.

 

[jweeks22]

Thank you so much for your response. The more I get familiar with the site, the more I wish I would have found it sooner, especially with the no-nonsense answers that you give. We could all use a little more Steve in this weight-loss game, I think.

I fail at giving enough information, mostly because I don't know what is relevant. I am very new to losing fat/ putting on muscle/ toning up.

I generally walk to work everyday, which is about a .5 mile walk. I complete this walk in between 15-25 minutes, depending on conditions. If my arithmatic is correct, that means that I am walking no greater than 2 miles an hour?

I am 5' 4.5" and weigh 215 pounds, on average. I generally consume between 1600-2000 calories a day. I do take rather lengthy walks around town, as I have no other form of tranportation, and I am active at work. I suppose the question I was trying to ask is: if under the circumstances I just gave, I can use the Wii Fit to lose fat?

And that article is very interesting, but unfortunately, some of it came across as mumbo-jumbo. Such as a MET, what it is exactly, in laymen's terms. Sorry to be such a hassle, but I really am looking for some guidance and good advice, and you seem like the person to go to.

 

[Steve]

I am 5' 4.5" and weigh 215 pounds, on average. I generally consume between 1600-2000 calories a day.

I think that's a fine calorie range.

It's important to keep in mind that the foods that comprise said calories is also very, very important.

I do take rather lengthy walks around town, as I have no other form of tranportation, and I am active at work. I suppose the question I was trying to ask is: if under the circumstances I just gave, I can use the Wii Fit to lose fat?

And that article is very interesting, but unfortunately, some of it came across as mumbo-jumbo. Such as a MET, what it is exactly, in laymen's terms. Sorry to be such a hassle, but I really am looking for some guidance and good advice, and you seem like the person to go to.

Yea, science abstracts can be quite overwhelming with the terminology they use. The full papers are typically even worse. Don't worry about METs and all that stuff. All the paper is saying is the video games that get you up and moving will certainly contribute to expending energy.

And as we know, fat loss is a function of having more energy go out the door than we have coming in the door.

If you enjoy these games, if that's what you'd like to call them, and if they're likely to keep you consistently moving more than your ordinarily do, I'd say they're a fine start in terms of getting control of your energy balance.

I think it's important to keep in mind that diet outweighs exercise in my opinion. Both are critical, but you're not going to out exercise a poor diet. Put simply, I'd spend more time making sure my diet is dialed in than I would worrying about the finer nuances of exercise. Rather, you can simply start by finding things that you like doing that keep you moving and do them often.

Worry about the specifics as you go along and keep reading. Read the stickies here. Read the stickies on my forum. And don't be afraid to ask as many questions as you need.

 

[jweeks22]

Thanks! And I have been reading. Been on here since I think 2 this morning, and it is almost 7 now. I will keep looking around!

 

[Steve]

Don't fall into paralysis by analysis!

 

[jweeks22]

Don't fall into paralysis by analysis!

Mostly a lot of the stuff I have read seems to be the same information, just a different way of putting it, which is helpful, since there seems to be varying levels of understanding about the science behind weight loss. I am a gatherer of information. I am really getting started after I finish this big move that I am working on. But never hurts to read a lot on a topic that you are trying to become familiar with.

 

[Addiecakes]

Hi jweeks!

WiiFit can be a very useful tool, but in the long-run I don't believe that it can sustain any long-term weight loss goals. I used Wii-Fit to help me get started and kind of "break-through" into the world of exercise. With my current weight and activity level I'm sure there are many exercises I can do on the Wii that would give me a heck of a workout. However, once you get to a certain point, I think that it loses its worth.

I did my workout by doing the "free-step" exercise for 30 minutes (3,000 steps; about 1.5 miles) and some days I would do two of those back to back. Some days I would do strength training etc. The Wii-Fit, short walks outside, and dietary adjustments are responsible for my first 10lbs. of loss. However I am severely obese and was leading a completely sedentary lifestyle, so my results may differ from someone else's.

If you're not used to exercising more than just walking alone, I am confident that you will be able to use the Wii-Fit to work out and see some great results, but depending on your weight and your underlying strength that may only be short-lived. However for very lightly active people with about 75-100lbs. or more to lose, I think that the Wii-Fit system would probably be a worthwhile investment.

That's my two cents

 

[dave_C1]

hope this helps.



i have read/watched several other examples that have had similar results. these guys are usually pretty fair though

 

[xnatsx]

I've not tried the wii fit but my friend who is a bit bigger than me, I couldn't say her weight exactly but quite a few stones to lose says its really workign for her.

I have the wii fitness coach, thats really good, everything is tailored to me, so nothings too difficult, it seems fairly slow paced but I always give up on excercise cause I start trying to do to much so I think thats a good thing, and eveytime I find something easy it makes it harder next time, or if its too hard it'll make it a bit easier which is really good, and you can do 15, 30, 45, 1 hour or 75 minute excercise sessions which is really good.

I've got the wii just dance as well, and i'm finding it really good, It seems easy at first because it's fun but I woke up this morning with my arms killing me from doing it yesterday.

 

[Jeanette401]

I found the Wii Fit to be a gateway product.

I started it, used it, got more active, joined a gym, and rarely use my Wii Fit now. But I don't know if I'd have started going to the gym if I hadn't gotten the Wii Fit, and I used it quite a bit in the beginning. And while it's definitely not ideal, it was also helpful to me.

 

[AmberElizabeth]

I've always had a hard time sticking with exercising. I'll do really good for 2-3 weeks, then completely stop- And starting up again doesn't happen quickly. Once I got a Wii Fit, I was hooked. I've kept it up every day for the past 3 months and I've seen results. I recently purchased EA Sports Active and The Biggest Loser workout games as well so I can switch it up. What works for me isn't necessarily work for someone else, but it works for me and keeps me working out every day. I've lost weight and I'm able to work out a little longer each day. I know it's not going to single-handedly get me to my goal, but it sure as hell has helped get the ball rolling!

 

[Antonios1]

I've not tried the wii fit but my friend who is a bit bigger than me, I couldn't say her weight exactly but quite a few stones to lose says its really workign for her.

I have the wii fitness coach, thats really good, everything is tailored to me, so nothings too difficult, it seems fairly slow paced but I always give up on excercise cause I start trying to do to much so I think thats a good thing, and eveytime I find something easy it makes it harder next time, or if its too hard it'll make it a bit easier which is really good, and you can do 15, 30, 45, 1 hour or 75 minute excercise sessions which is really good.

I've got the wii just dance as well, and i'm finding it really good, It seems easy at first because it's fun but I woke up this morning with my arms killing me from doing it yesterday.

This is excellent information, nats. I was considering purchasing Wii Fit until I read this. I think I might need something a little more challenging.

Plus, Wii Fitness Coach is far cheaper!

Thanks again.

 

[xnatsx]

thats why I bought it cause I couldn't afford wii fit lol, I still might get one when I have money just for a wee extra bit of excercise.

( I just realised how many times i wrote really good in my last post I dont think my brain was working right)

 

[Antonios1]

thats why I bought it cause I couldn't afford wii fit lol, I still might get one when I have money just for a wee extra bit of excercise.

( I just realised how many times i wrote really good in my last post I dont think my brain was working right)

Don't you mean a "Wii extra bit?"


Haha, I kill me.

 

[dave_C1]

just to add to this, being disabled i have alot of difficulty finding exercise i can do without hurting myself, i bought one of the wii fits about a week ago and have so far lost 2lbs using it.

admittedly i have been eating better as well, but it is fun and its more exercise than i would be doing than if i didn't have it.

its as they say, if you are atheistic then it probably wont do too much good, but as for shedding pounds, i have found it "easy" to get myself out of breath and my heart pumping while using it.

and as for

Don't you mean a "Wii extra bit?"


Haha, I kill me.

oh dear

 

[WillLose60]

Hi!

I have been using Wii Fit, EA Sports Active, and Wii Sports since I started getting serious about losing weight last March. I lost 50 lbs in 6 months doing that along with some other cardio and strength training exercises. It worked for me!

WillLose

 

[dcf]

Love the Wii EA Active - just got the upgrade - EA Active Plus. I don't know how much of my weight loss it's responsible for but it's inspired me to get in the habit of exercising every day.

I finished the 30 day challenge on the EA Active and now I've just started the 6 week challenge on the Active More Workouts and I'm looking forward to seeing if my abs tone up as much as my arms and thighs did with the original release. I have lost 10 lbs but it toned me up so well I look like I've lost more like 20 lbs.

The WiiFit looks interesting too - my friend is going to buy it this week so I'll see how she likes it first.

 

[xnatsx]

I bought the EA Active thing after reading this and it's amazing. I've been doing my workouts plus another 20 or 30 minute workout every day and I'm feelign so good. Only really started this week so not seen results yet but I can really feel it and it doesn't get boring or anything. I love the trophies and goal and things, It makes it really motivating.