Wii Fit coming to U.S. in May

Tue Apr 15, 2008 3:25PM EDT

See Comments (182)

First announced way, way back in July of last year, the nifty, wireless balance board accessory for the Wii finally has a North American release date: May 19. Get ready to engage those abs.

The Wii Fit bundle (available in Japan since last December) will sell for $89.99, according to Crave—not exactly cheap, but at least it'll come bundled with a battery of exercises—involving yoga, aerobics, strength training, and balance—that’ll get you off the couch and, with any luck, make you break a sweat.

IGN (via Yahoo! Games) has a thorough preview of Wii Fit, but I’ll tick off some of the main points: You get the wireless, plastic balance board (which, apparently, supports a whopping 660 pounds, although it stops measuring over 330 pounds) plus the battery of 40 mini-games and exercises.

Among them: strength-training exercises, including a push-up/yoga combo (which sounds devilishly difficult), single-leg extensions, arm/leg lifts, a variety of squats and lunges, and side planks (ouch). There’s also plenty of aerobic action, including steps, runs, and rhythm boxing. Then there’s the yoga, complete with your standard deep breathing, half moons, a potpourri of poses, you name it. This ain't no button-mashing on the couch.

What makes Wii Fit more fun than your standard exercise DVD is the on-screen trainer (either male or female, as IGN notes) who critiques your form and doles out encouragement, as needed.

Of course, the coolest element of Wii Fit is the wireless balance board, which incorporates two plastic pads—one for each foot—that precisely measure you weight and balance.

From the demos I’ve seen, the board does an uncanny job of detecting your overall stance and posture; indeed, based on your weight and balance, it’ll compute your body mass index (BMI) and tell you if you’re overweight, underweight, or just right. The Wii Fit software will also track your BMI daily and tell you your progress over time.

Early reviews have been generally positive; for example, Chris Kohler at Wired News tried Wii Fit for about a month and came away pretty happy, calling it a "convenient and helpful way for me to get back in shape." Keep in mind, however, that Kohler didn't so much lose weight as build muscle (not such a bad thing, considering that you're playing a video game).

I haven't had a chance to try Wii Fit myself, but the demo during last year's E3 gaming conference looked pretty impressive; I especially liked the soccer ball head-butting game, which lets you (natch) head-butt a torrent of virtual soccer balls, all from the comfort of the balance board—nice. (Hmmmm...how about a surfing game? Or skateboarding?)

So, who out there's looking forward to Wii Fit? Anyone else tried it? What about the price tag?

Related:
'Wii Fit' craze set to launch May 19 [Crave]
Wii Fit preview [IGN, via Yahoo! Games]

Comments on Wii Fit coming to U.S. in May

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  • 167 Posted by rayj00 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    Vivian, for some strange reason I'm thinking that the Wii Fit is not really a game! I can feel the sweat building already! :):)

  • 168 Posted by debismith on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:39PM EDT Report Abuse

    I can't wait to give it a try.....Since we got our wii we have had a blast with all the games we have tried. If nothing else I have spent more time with my daughter and that is worth 90.00 any day of the week.

  • 169 Posted by strawberryfool_04 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    This product looks like a good buy. yes, a little pricey but there are a lot of high prices out there. For all of the people that say go to the gym or go for a run, or go outside, some people don't have that option. As a full time college student and a full time employee, by the time I get out of work there are no open gyms in the area, and there is no way I am going out at midnight for a run?! This product is a form of exercise, no matter what. Its a game designed to give the user a work out. Just look at the title. You might not be trained for a muscle man contest, but yes, it will help you get healthy.

  • 170 Posted by sawbones_c on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:06PM EDT Report Abuse

    Considering my current exercise regimen involves putting my mousepad on an incline, this looks like a possitive step in the right direction for me.

  • 171 Posted by krazi_n_proud92 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm excited about the Wii Fit but I will probably wait until the price goes down before purchasing it. I think it's a great way to possibly bring to the attention of many more Americans the obesity problem and maybe, with a little help from a video game, more people will do something about that problem. (No offense intended to anyone)

  • 172 Posted by godzillafrag on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:10PM EDT Report Abuse

    erinshesse...you sir, are simply dumb. Exercise is elevating your heartbeat above normal and exerting your muscles (Isometric counts). That burns fat and strengthens muscle, both of which this "game" does. Now go inject your HGH!

  • 173 Posted by singinintheraino on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    My fiance and I have been waiting for the Wii Fit to come out ever since we heard about it over a year ago. For people like us who lack motivation and have awkward work schedules where it is hard to get to a gym, this is a perfect solution. We will definitely be buying it when it comes out.

  • 175 Posted by donna.mcintosh on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    I don't think its too expensive- considering a YMCA membership for a family per month can run like $80, not to mention the joining fees and gas, and the big gym memberships costs at least that much. I am looking forward to this coming out. I just hope there won't be fighting between me and my teens over who gets to play the game!

  • 176 Posted by mgrote_77 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:17PM EDT Report Abuse

    To erinshesse: Strength training builds muscle, which is how strength (which you agree could have resulted from this device) resulted in muscle gain. Looks like the joke, which is ignorance, is on you.

  • 177 Posted by traineric on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:19PM EDT Report Abuse

    try searching gamestop.com for the wii or click back ordered if you cant find one

  • 179 Posted by mrsmcgeety on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    I am 6 months pregnant. I have put on the recommended 20 pounds so far, and will probably gain another 10 by the time he is born. That will leave me with about 15 to 20 to lose, once my blood volume returns to pre-pregnancy levels and the baby and his accessories have been delivered. I love this. I live in Orlando where it is too boiling hot to go jogging for about half the year. I also have knee and foot injuries that flare up. Thirdly, I would love to have something I can do in the house. People have said that daycare at gyms is hard to come by. Gym memberships run at least $60 per month, so that is prohibitive. The woman across the street found a gym that has daycare, but her daughter would cry and cry because of separation anxiety, so that ruled out the gym for a while. Erinshesse, who everyone keeps calling a guy but is probably a girl, with that screen name, you should just shut the heck up. I pity you for being such a narcissist that you cannot imagine what limitations might exist for other people. It's too bad that this product can't exercise compassion. If it could, I'll bet you'd get several of them for Christmas from everyone who knows you personally.

  • 180 Posted by brightening_soul on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:13PM EDT Report Abuse

    It took my boyfriend over a month to buy the Wii, it was so worth the wait. Playing tennis and boxing, I can really feel it in my arms. I can't wait to get the Wii-fit, i believe it can help get in shape. It may not be the best way, but it is sounds like more fun than going to the gym. DVD's get old and walking/jogging outside is not the safest where i live. The convenience and variety is what people need. The Wii alone has helped some people lose weight and this could really help people stay motivated.

  • 181 Posted by kma428@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    I know people are going to go crazy when I post this review, but that's okay! :) The Wii Fit is excellent! The other day, I did a few lunges and my thighs hurt, which it means it is burning fat. I find the yoga relaxing and helpful. You have your own personal trainer!! Isn't that cool? Why would you spend money to go to a gym while you can spend time at home with the Wii Fit!? I love the fact how the balance board dectects, pratically, every single move you make. Amazing. This Wii Fit is very fun and unique. I purchased this on Wednesday and I have been using it every day! I LOVE THE WII FIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • 182 Posted by kma428@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    mrsmcgeety, i strongly agree with you and your opinion on the Erinshesse. That person is very brutal! :(

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