May 16th, 2008
Use the Wii as an Exercise Machine
Since the Nintendo Wii comes with the Wii Sports disc included, it's received props as a good tool for getting otherwise sedentary people up off the couch and moving a bit. In a few days, Nintendo will be taking that to another level when Wii Fit is released in the US. Wii Fit has been available in Japan for a while and has become very popular, being owned by over two million people there.
For ninety dollars, Wii Fit purchasers will get a balance board and the required software to use it with their Wii. The exerciser stands on the board and does various movements to use the program. The board senses the movement of the user. The whole idea is to achieve a healthy BMI, or body mass index. The Wii Fit should be a good choice for non-exercisers who own a Wii and want to start an exercise program, but don't feel like purchasing regular fitness equipment or joining a commercial establishment and using traditional gym equipment, or for an experienced exerciser who's looking for some variety in their workouts.
Nintendo sold 714,000 Wiis last month, which is more than all the competing platforms combined, and it's still difficult to buy a Wii in most parts of the US - so the unprecedented popularity of the system appears to be continuing.