A busy schedule makes it hard to find time to go to gym. You have to dodge traffic and battle your way through hordes of fitness junkies during peak gym times. To find motivation for a good workout is much harder under these circumstances and many eventually give up on following a regular fitness programme.
Home fitness programmes have gained immense traction over the last few years. Lockdown was a terrible time for most, but we realised that we could get by with a lot less. We also learned to make the most of our time at home and that technology could give us virtual access to fitness training, professional courses, classes and meetings.
The Nintendo Wii Fit was the first video game to combine video games with fitness, offering home-exercise fun for millions of people across the globe.
The original Wii Fit might be considered old, but the innovation and forward-thinking prowess of Nintendo was so much ahead of its time that we can continue to use it for its fitness activities today.
Whether you want greater mobility, seek strength training, want to burn calories or are just seeking an easy way to build a regular fitness regime, the Wii Fit is a convenient way to bring trainers and different fitness activities into your personal space.
Wii Fit – The Original Exercise Video Game
In 2006 Nintendo released the seventh-generation video game console, a gaming device that included new motion control capabilities and transformed the way that some games are played. If you are familiar with the modern Nintendo Switch, you’ll know that the controllers slide out to become mobile and movable controllers in players’ hands. The Wii laid the foundations for this type of interactive play where the monitoring of physical movements and motion became the driver of gameplay.
The popularity of motion control sensors are especially evident in sports and fitness games. Where you can do yoga poses, box or dance, while the console tracks and measures your activity.
This technology kicked-off the exergaming movement and gained greater traction in 2008.
While the 2006 Wii sports games allowed players to play a variety of games like tennis, boxing and bowling, the focus of the upgraded Wii Fit, Wii Fit Plus and Wii Fit U was around fitness and workout activities.
Aerobics, yoga and balance-minigames became popular in 2008 and with the Wii plus there were 15 additional games added.
If you have the budget and want something more modern, the Switch is the latest product hero for Nintendo. With record-breaking fitness games like Ring Fit Adventure, Zumba Fitness and Fitness Boxing, you’ll have your pick of some of the best fitness games on the market.
Wii Fit Balance Board and Equipment
The motion controller for Wii Fit comes in the form of a balance board, a scale like board that tracks the movement of the player. It will detect the player’s centre of gravity and movement around their feet, but this doesn’t mean it’s only focused on balance activities.
Because of newer innovations in fitness games, the console and games can be picked up at much lower prices than newer consoles. An easy internet search will give you some second hand and new options in and around South Africa.
You will require a television to set-up your Nintendo Wii and we recommend clearing the space of furniture and objects that might injure you if you lose your balance. Although it is not always possible, a dedicated space will ensure you have less to do before each workout, making it easier to do frequent workouts.
Fitness made simple: switch on your television and Wii, select your exercise activity and start training.
Making fitness part of your routine will ensure you make training a daily activity. We recommend you schedule a time when you won’t be disturbed and it will also be useful to invest in an exercise mat to make the fitness activities on the floor more comfortable. Yoga mats tend to be non-slip and are incredibly useful in other fitness activities like running on the spot.
The intelligent balance board will also track your Wii fitness age. Don’t be alarmed if your fitness age is older than your real age, you’ll be able to track your progress and, with frequent exercise, you’ll reduce that age over time.
The Basic Wii Fit Exercises
If you want to flatten your stomach, work on your legs, tone the muscles in your chest, or strengthen your biceps and triceps, the Wii will take you through a range of exercises to target all the muscles in your body.
You can select yoga, aerobics, balance games or strength training, and unlike the very popular Ring Fit Adventure, it is all about getting straight to the workout without any RPG components.
Try and bring variety into your workouts, as this will ensure you get a healthy and balanced mix between stretching, strength and cardiovascular exercise.
Wii Fit Plus Additions
The Wii Fit will provide you with all the necessities to get your home fitness going, but if you already have the balancing board and equipment, an upgraded Wii Fit Plus game can bring new and exciting activities to your workout.
With 15 additional games in the Wii Fit plus you can enjoy more variety and options around building your fitness. The upgrade also introduced improvements related to calorie counting, menu and information navigation and the inclusion of personalised programmes.
You can even weigh your child or pet on the balancing board!
If you are a brand new fitness gamer, we recommend you check out a Wii Fit Plus with a balancing board. Maybe your family has a Wii lying around somewhere or you might be able to find one at a second hand store. Some online stores still sell them too.
The Wii U is the newest version of the console and a bit harder to come by in South Africa. Released in 2013, it includes a gamepad and a Switch fit, a band around the leg that tracks movement and motion in a different way. For this reason it is also a bit more pricey. The price doesn’t warrant buying a new console if you will only use it for exergaming.
The Nintendo Switch is a better option if you don’t already have a Nintendo console as it brings more variety and modern fitness games like Super Smash Bros, Fitness Boxing and Just Dance.
Having Fun with a Personal Fitness Trainer
A video game is certainly helpful for improving your health, but be sure you commit, as the intensity of your workout will determine how many calories you burn every day. One of the best alternatives is with the personal touch of a fitness instructor.
On Superprof we have a range of trainers and tutors in your city. They can make your fitness journey a bit more fun and most of them offer more flexibility around scheduling than the set group training schedules of gyms.
We also have a wide variety of tutors and coaches. Some specialise in dance, Zumba, sports or even in things like muscle rehabilitation, nutrition and weight loss. Here, on Superprof you can view tutor profiles online and get all the information you need before picking a tutor that's well suited to your objectives. You can compare their experience and training online, including whether they are willing to offer the first class for free. Their rates also appear on their profiles and you can choose whether you want to do one or multiple classes each week.
Whether you choose a trainer, a video game or decide to take the gym on, we want to encourage you to make a commitment today.
You'll be taking the first steps towards giving your body the gift of vitality.
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