Nintendo’s Virtual Trainer is ready to sweat you. But is a Balance Board session worth a full gym workout? We undertook to check it out.
For your information: Wii Fit is not called a game, but software. It hit the shelves of Japanese stores on December 1 last year, and has since sold more than 1,5 million copies. In fact, this is a video program for fitness training (more than 40 disciplines, divided into 4 large groups) led by a virtual trainer who can check the result of the workout and see if you have achieved your goal. The main highlight is the Balance Board wireless platform (weight 3,5 kg, length 58 cm, width 33 cm, height 8 cm), which is installed in front of the screen. Thanks to four built-in sensors, it weighs the athlete, calculates the body mass index, determines the center of gravity … It turns out that in order to achieve an ideal figure, only three components are needed: a Wii set-top box (within 9500 rubles) + Wii Fit software (within 3000 rubles) + hot desire? Let’s check everything in order.
Aerobics
On practice: mainly applied here … 10-minute exercises are often quite juicy. For example, “hula-hoop” makes you rotate your hips with tremendous force.
Plus: playful manner of classes. In addition, some disciplines (for example, step) improve coordination of movements.
Less: for experienced athletes, the load is too small.
Playstation option
SONY introduced a fitness program called Eye Toy Kinetic in 2006 (for PS2). It is based on the same idea of training at home under the supervision of a virtual trainer. Since then, we have not heard about new products in this area.
Muscle strengthening
On practice: a wide choice – the study of triceps, , pumping up the press …
Plus: you feel that you are not doing it in vain – the press is working, the muscles are tense. To be honest, some of the poses are quite difficult to hold.
Less: if you are not an expert, it is not so easy to choose the right exercise for the muscle group you want to strengthen on your own.
Yoga
On practice: put on socks and stand on the Balance Board. Using the remote control, select an exercise: breathing exercises, tree pose, snake pose … Then, within 30 seconds, copy the asana of the virtual trainer.
Plus: you always know if you are doing the right exercise. One has only to shift the center of gravity, as in the center of the yellow zone on the screen lights up a red dot.
Less: if you have never done yoga, you will not immediately understand what to concentrate on: follow the trainer’s movements or keep your eyes on the red dot. From this, the back begins to ache slightly.
And run?
Jogging is one of the Wii Fit’s greatest strengths, as long as you’re not obsessed with jogging every day in any weather on rough terrain. For everyone else: beginners, lazy people and opponents of running in the rain, this is the right decision. The Balance Board platform is no longer needed here. Just put the console remote in your pocket and catch up with your virtual friend Mii, who looms in front of you on the screen. Fun, original and ultimately effective.
Balance exercises
On practice: something like game gymnastics, aimed at warming up the muscles before the main load, or, conversely, at relaxation. Coordination of movements and reaction develop at the same time.
Plus: it’s so funny that the training goes completely unnoticed.
Less: set of exercises too masculine. Football, downhill skiing … And what should the girls do?