Lose Weight with Wii Fit

First introduced into the world of virtual fitness was Dance Dance Revolution, or DDR. DDR exposed consumers to a whole new experience, which involved stomping feet on a sensor mat to the tune of popular tunes. The concept was kind of like a technologically advanced form of Twister, but caught on very quickly.

The best part about this dancing game is that not only do you get to move your dancing feet and have fun, but you also get the chance to lose as many calories as if you were doing a high endurance game or sport.

So why is this Dance Dance Revolution game so popular? Well, according to ACE spokesman Fabio Comana, an exercise physiologist in San Diego, the answer is pretty easy.

“So many people became disengaged because exercise seems to be work and not a pleasant experience. [Virtual exercise] has touched on a cord that is important in fitness and that is to make things fun.”

If dancing isn’t really your forte, you could also look into the new Wii Fit. The Wii Fit is a system by Nintendo that is subdivided into four main categories; yoga, strength training, aerobics, and balance games.

You work with your own animated trainer who helps you through the exercises and gives “working out” a whole new convenience and level of enjoyment! People are exercising, but they’re enjoying it. At the same time, these games do have their cons.

Really, these forms of virtual exercise are just a Band-Aid and don’t solve the problem of lack of incentive to exercise. Comana returns to say that “If I distract you with television to tolerate a workout, what happens if there is nothing to distract you? If we take away the balance pad or the Ipod, you will go back to saying, ‘I hate this.’”

In the end, this is the real problem. Working out should be fun and inviting; you should not dread it. While this is a real concern, at least it is a start on the fight against obesity. These video games don’t usually replace hitting the gym for fitness buffs, but for the rest of us who just was to be fit and healthy, it is a great alternative to the couch potato lifestyle.

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