Probably one of the most popular Wii games released thus far. The Wii fit was intended to give the average Joe a workout right in his very own home. It combines the elements of fun, health and fitness into one balance board. 

So, does it actually work? According to some health experts and the professional fitness teachers, no. You’re better going out to a regular gym and doing conventional exercises to get fit and healthy. Well they would say that wouldn’t they? Personally, I find the Wii Fit does do the job. I’m no expert, but I seem to be knackered even after the most subtle of exercises.

There are a number of different ways to get fit; Yoga, Strength Training, Aerobics and Balance Games. Yoga consists doing different positions with your arms and legs and the balance board measuring your weight distribution to make sure it is correct. Strength Training involves doing manoeuvres that will help tone your muscles. Aerobics is a very active section, including running and rhythm boxing. Balance Games is the last section, and is probably the most popular for the younger generation. As the name suggests, games are played using your balance.
There is also a leaderboard in the balance games, so it brings in a competitive element, urging you on to beat other users, whilst getting fit at the same time.

If you want to go solo, and work at your own pace, well you can ignore the leaderboard for a start. Or you can try the other sections. You’ll have a personal instructor, either male or female, whichever you feel more comfortable with (although they both say the same things). You’re not told what to do, you simply choose whatever exercises you want. You’ll then be guided through that exercise by the on screen teacher. It would’ve worked a lot better if you had the option to tell the teacher to repeat something, or you have the option to click through to the next step, because I find it hard to keep up with what’s going on, on screen.

When you do exercises, you get time put into a sort of data piggy bank. This will keep a record of what exercises you’ve done each day, and how long you did them for. So you’ve done all this exercise, and now what? Well the board will measure your BMI, to see if it has increased, or decreased. This is a great way to see whether your overworking yourself, or if you’re being a couch potato, even during exercise.

Don’t worry about children accidentally accessing your record and messing up your times and BMI, as the Wii asks for verification that it’s actually you doing the exercise. This is done by you standing on the board. The board can tell if it’s you by the pressure you apply in certain areas, in comparison to your first BMI test.

In conclusion, I think it’s a great idea. It’s not a game essentially, it’s all about the fitness. The Wii graphics are standard, and you use your Mii character during the game. It can’t be analysed primarily as a game, as it’s unfair. But as a game, it’s not exactly one you can pick up and play, it’s more pick yourself up and play. I feel very tired after a Wii Fit session. I’m not expert on whether it does the job, but this is for use by the common man, so it’s fitting.

Overall Rating:6/10