Fitness study dings Wii Fit for "underwhelming results"

Mon Nov 16, 2009 12:08PM EST

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"Wii Fit" is the only game I can think of that's ever made my muscles burn, yet a research study finds that the popular game and its wireless balance board yield "underwhelming results" when it comes to burning calories.

Gamasutra (via Kotaku) reports that researchers with the American Council on Exercise and the University of Wisconsin took a group of men and women aged 20-24 and put them through their paces with Wii Fit's "most aerobically challenging activities," including Free Run, Island Run, Free Step, Advanced Step, Super Hula Hoop, and Rhythm Boxing.

The results? According to the study, anyway, the test subjects got the best results while sweating through Free Run and Island Run, burning through about 165 calories in half an hour. After that came Rhythm Boxing, with players burning about 114 calories in 30 minutes, followed by Super Hula Hoop (111 calories), Advanced Step (108 calories), and Free Step (99).

That's pretty good compared to a "sedentary video game," the researchers say in the Gamasutra article. That said, you'll burn "significantly higher" calories by getting up and going to the gym than you will taking a crack at Wii Fit's "virtual approximation" of the various exercise, according to the study—a conclusion that'll likely provoke either a "no duh!" or "say what?" reaction, depending on your expectations for the game (which Nintendo markets as "a fun way for you and your family to stay active together").

The study even goes a step further, calling the tennis, boxing, golf, and bowling minigames in Wii Sports a "better option" than Wii Fit for "helping consumer meet minimum intensity guidelines for exercise."

Should it come as a big surprise that a 30-minute spin class with a "take-no-prisoners" trainer makes for a tougher workout than taking a whirl with Wii Fit's virtual hula hoop? Not really, although I am a bit surprised that the American Council on Exercise researchers think you'll burn more calories playing Wii Sports than you will with Wii Fit, especially given the pain I experienced during my (brief) workout with Wii Fit's yoga program.

So I ask you, Wii Fit gamers: Happy with the results you're getting from Wii Fit? Did you buy the game thinking that it would replace or merely supplement "regular" exercise, such as running around the park or kickboxing at the gym? How would you compare your Wii Fit workout to a round of Wii Sports? And would you call the results of this study a case of "no duh!" or "say what"?

Related:
American Council on Exercise Charts 'Underwhelming' Wii Fit Health Benefits [Gamasutra, via Kotaku]

Comments on Fitness study dings Wii Fit for "underwhelming results"

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  • 1 Posted by mikenkathy74 on Mon Nov 16, 2009 12:31PM EST Report Abuse

    I personally used the Wii fit program to start exercising again after YEARS of inactivity. So, of course it's not up with a class at the gym, but it helped me get moving again. And I expect to use it more this winter when it is too cold to go out for my morning walks anymore.

  • 2 Posted by scarebabygifts on Mon Nov 16, 2009 2:06PM EST Report Abuse

    As with any exercise program, you only get out of it what you're willing to put into it. If you do a lackadaisical step (which you can do, given that the balance board is only 2 inches high), you won't get a great burn or workout, but if you really throw yourself into it, lifting your knees as you step, and using your arms, you can certainly burn a ton of calories in a half hour. This "study" is just too simplistic. Find what works for you and stick to it. Remember, the only way to lose weight is to burn more calories than you take in, no matter what system you choose to employ.

  • 3 Posted by bib6908 on Mon Nov 16, 2009 2:28PM EST Report Abuse

    I don't recall Nintendo or anyone else promoting the Wii Fit as a substitute for going to the gym, so what's the point of this research? Anyone who buys the Wii Fit (or any other home exercise program) thinking they will get the same results as going to a gym is an idiot.

  • 4 Posted by casacreativo on Mon Nov 16, 2009 2:33PM EST Report Abuse

    Say what?! I'm in agreeance with the previous comments b4 mine. Everytime I use it steadily I lose weight & burn off fat. There are a couple of exercises that you can cheat, such as the jackknife, but the only one your fooling is yourself. It's what you put into it that determine your results.

  • 5 Posted by mbeachell on Mon Nov 16, 2009 2:37PM EST Report Abuse

    I got the wii fit because it looked like a fun way to get a little exercise. I often use it as a warm up or cool down before or after other exercises like biking on a stationary bike or doing a walking video. It really helped break up the monotony of the same old walk or ride. When I got to the free step I eventually added a step under my wii fit board to give me more of a challenge. I also noticed that you get out of it what you put into it. If you cheat and just go through the motions it doesn't do as much as it would if you tighten up the muscles you're using and really work them.

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