Wii and Wii Fit News - News - Digest - Long list

VIDEO: New trailer for "EA Sports Active - More Workouts"

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:05:29 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : VIDEO: New trailer for "EA Sports Active - More Workouts"

Here is a new trailer for EA Sports Active - More Workouts (which has to be one of the lamest names ever for a game).

In short, you get 35 new exercises, including warm up and cool-down stretches, and more muscle work for your abs, both of which are areas that the original was sorely lacking in. I'm especially looking forward to having proper warm-ups; I've always found the start of the workouts to be a little too abrupt, especially if you do them first thing in the morning.

more ... Statistics : 9 Replies || 145 Views Post by paul

Exercise bike coming to the Wii

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:43:04 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Exercise bike coming to the Wii

European accessories company BigBen Intereactive, are to release an exercise bike just for the Wii. Looks like a great idea if you have the space.

It should be available in January.

Here is the official trailer:

more ... Statistics : 5 Replies || 249 Views Post by paul

Recommended calorie intake vs. reality

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:13:09 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Recommended calorie intake vs. reality

Here is something I've learned the hard way over the years: I just don't burn as many calories as many other people.

The recommended intake for a man is supposed to be 2,500 calories per day, this is simply too many for me. Not only do I work in an office, and so spend half my day sat behind a desk, but I think my basic metabolic rate is slower than average. My resting heart rate is certainly lower than average, to the point that I surprised my First-Aid instructor with just how slow it was (mine was the slowest in a class of 20).

We've all known the stick-thin person who eats like a horse yet never puts on weight. It's easy to grumble and use the difference as an excuse for the way we are, but the simple fact is that everyone is different, and we have to live with our own biology.

So how do you work out your daily calorie use? Simple, for a couple of weeks just record everything you eat, and your weight. If your weight increases during that time, then you are eating more than you need. Once you have worked out your calorie "maintenance level" at which you neither lose nor gain weight, then you can start planning how to lose or control your weight. I've worked out that my daily calorie burn is about the 2,000 a day range.

As a simple rule, one pound of human fat contains 3,500 calories. So if you want to lose one pound a week you need to be eating 500 calories a day less than your base level, on average. If you have a low calorie use, if you have a slow metabolism, or are a woman (sorry girls, but you generally burn fewer calories than men) then that's probably quite a large chunk of your intake. In my case it's about a quarter of my calorie burn rate on an average day.

This is why many of us end up overweight in the first place, everyone is different, but portions sizes and mealtimes are the same for everyone (and getting bigger in general).

It's also why, if you have a slow metabolism, that losing weight is harder: the proportion of your calories that you have to cut out to lose a given amount is much more than someone with a fast metabolism.

However, don't get depressed about it, just be realistic. After working out my maintenance level was about 2000 calories a day, and knowing that I'd need to cut 500 per day to lose a pound a week, it was obvious that I trying to lose more than that for any significant length of time would be unrealistic. To lose two pounds a week I'd need to be eating just half of what my body needs on a daily basis, and there was no way I would be able to keep that up for long enough to get to where I need to.

So what to do?

1) Take things slowly and be realistic - set your intake at a sensible level and be patient, and don't try to overdo it.

2) Exercise - even just a little exercise, done regularly, burns a few extra calories, and helps to boost your metabolic rate. This is why they recommend a "little and often" approach to exercise, rather than "lots but occasional" if you want to lose weight.

3) Look out for foods that boost your metabolism - such as spicy foods and chillies. Try and limit things like wheat, which can slow some people's metabolisms.

4) Experiment with when and how you eat - Some people find eating small amounts more often helps boost their metabolism.

5) Get used to eating less than other people - as galling as it is to watch the skinny person scoffing down half a cow without putting on a pound, don't get bitter, just deal with the fact that we are all different. Don't feel pressured to eat what others do. And remember that as they get old, many formally skinny people balloon as their metabolism slows, but their eating habits remain the same

6) And remember, everyone is different - just because something works for me, doesn't mean it will for you. If something doesn't work, try something else. Be systematic, and don't lose heart. You just need to find the amount and type of food that suits your body. more ... Statistics : 14 Replies || 194 Views Post by paul

Which personal trainer do you prefer?

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:35:01 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Which personal trainer do you prefer?

Following on from a posting in this forum I thought it would be fun to see which personal trainer people prefer, there gender, or the opposite. more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 77 Views Post by paul

New study into Wii Fit released - Mostly misses the point

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:44:50 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : New study into Wii Fit released - Mostly misses the point

Gamasutra are reporting that the American Council on Exercise (ACE) has released a report describing Wii Fit as "underwhelming" in terms of exercise intensity.

They measured calories burnt in the various games and found that, surprise, they didn't burn as many as if you did the exercise for real.

However the entire report rather misses the point: Wii Fit is not, and never has been intended as a competitor to real-life boxing, going to the gym, or going for a long run. Wii Fit's emphasis is much more on muscle tone, balance, flexibility, coordination and all over strength, than it is on cardio style fitness. While it has the cardio games like rhythm boxing, these are just a small part of Wii Fit's selection.

This misunderstanding is unsurprising really, the ACE is a trade group for fitness instructors, so naturally they are going to judge everything in relation to "traditional" western approaches to fitness. It's just a shame that so many people who should know better disparage something which people might actually enjoy, and want to do repeatedly rather than miserably pounding away on a treadmill.

Of course some might say they have a vested interest in seeing Wii Fit fail, but that would just be cynical more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 79 Views Post by paul

VIDEO: "Your Shape" - First look and interview

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:44:37 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : VIDEO: "Your Shape" - First look and interview

CNET have a short interview and a sneak peak at UbiSoft's upcoming fitness game "Your Shape", which uses a video camera to track your movements:

It certainly looks interesting. If it is anywhere near as smooth as it looks in the video, then this could be a significant step up from existing exercises games, you'll finally be able to put away those controllers more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 52 Views Post by paul

Review: All Star Cheerleader (Cheer Squad in US)

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:22:25 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Review: All Star Cheerleader (Cheer Squad in US)

It's often been lamented that computer games do not appeal enough to girls. This has started to change recently, especially with many of the titles for the Nintendo Wii and DS such as Nintendogs and Animal Crossing. It would be fair to say that most of these fit a pretty stereotypical view of what girls and boys like, but you can't fight reality, or the sales figures. All Star Cheerleader fits squarely in this mould and is all the better for it: this is a game that really knows who its audience is, young girls. As a male, and about 30, I am about as far from the target demographic as you can get, but that didn't stop me from enjoying this throughly upbeat and entertaining game.

The aim of All Star Cheerleader is to join, and then compete for, the "Fox Squad" cheerleader squad. But first you must create your character, choosing the usual features, eye color, face shape, hair-cut etc. The characters are more like Second Life avatars than a traditional stocky Mii, but have sensibly been kept quite simple. Unlike a Mii, there is no chance to change the body shape; everyone in *this* game is in peak physical fitness. I don't think there is much to worry about them giving kids a bad body image, no more so than a Barbie doll, and this is athletic fitness not stick-thin models. And unlike Wii Fit, you don't have to worry about All Star Cheerleader telling your child they are morbidly obese.

You start out as a "newbie" who must work through a series of training sessions and tests before entering the "try-outs" to join Fox squad. All of this is interspersed with cut scenes introducing the other members of the squad, a few bits of sub High School Musical soap drama moments, and frequent assertions that you shouldn't get too "bragadocious" (yep, really) about doing well on a particular test and to "show them what you've got". All very peppy and up-beat and rather American. Non of the interludes are long enough to get annoying, and the target audience will lap it all up.

During the training sessions you are introduced to the plethora of moves (or "pops") which you are expected to perform (or "clear"). The in game jargon is extensive and made me feel like a stranger in a foreign land, but like the cut scenes, this just helps make the game not just a bunch of dance moves, but your ticket into the surreal world of cheerleading. After you have completed the initial training and performed at the try-out, you are in the squad and get to compete in competitions, while learning ever more complex moves. In addition to the standard career mode you can also jump in to the Quickplay mode for a, well, quick play, without all the palaver of a career. There is also a multi-player mode for up-to four people which would be great for parties, although only one player can use the balance board. You can also create your own routines based on any of the moves you have learnt, adding significantly to the replay value of the game. However, there doesn't appear to be a way to swap routines with other people, which is a shame.

Each move uses the WiiMote and Nunchuck controller in a variety of positions, shown on screen as a pair of arrows indicating the orientation of the two controllers. These instructions move across the screen and, like Wii Fit Step Aerobics, the idea is to do (sorry "clear") each move in time with the music as the symbol enters the circle on the left of the screen: the more accurate you are the more points you score. In later training sessions the Balance Board (if you have one) can be used, with the player stepping on and off the board or leaning to complete more complex moves. If you don't have a board, then you just perform additional actions with the controller. On the whole, the control system is excellent, well thought out, and quickly gets you active. The game is one of the few that really demonstrates what is possible with the Wii's controls, using the WiiMote and Nunchuck's position sensors to measure a huge number of different moves while being forgiving enough to not get in the way of the fun. With the addition of the Balance Board, this game becomes an entertaining full-body gaming experience that will really appeal to any child who likes to get up and dance. ... more ... Statistics : 2 Post || 327 Views Post by paul

New Yoga game coming to the Wii in November

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:44:14 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : New Yoga game coming to the Wii in November

I'm surprised it's taken this long, but someone has finally developed a pure Yoga exercise game for the Wii. Yoga has been a big element of Wii Fit since the start, and in many ways it's the form of exercise most suited to doing at home in conjunction with a balance board, but until now there hasn't been a game that focused solely on Yoga.

Now comes "Yoga" (imaginative title ) from Dreamcatcher (Official Website) a game dedicated to the serene art of balancing on one leg and scaring your friends by bending into weird poses.

As someone who has done a lot of yoga in the past, but has slipped out of the habit, I'm really excited by "Yoga" and I'm hoping that it lives up to it's hype. I'd like to get back into yoga but it can be tough when you don't have the time to take classes, it's harder to stay motivated, or to come up with varied sequences to keep things interesting. Yoga is one of the best form of exercise for all-round body strength and well-being, so I'm keen to start doing it again.

The video below (which unfortunately is in German) gives you a feel for the new game, and an idea of the high production values we can expect. The details on the website are a little vague, but by concentrating on just one thing, yoga, hopefully it will get things right. "Yoga" will support the Wii Fit Balance board, and provides "dynamic feedback" on how you are doing. How well it compares to Wii Fit Plus and it's new routines remains to be seen.

I do have one serious concern, but it is not about the game, but rather the way it is being advertised. "Yoga" is being fronted by the model Anja Rubik and while she is an attractive woman, I find her disturbingly thin. I'm not sure it's really the image that a fitness game should be promoting.

In my experience, yoga practitioners tend not to be stick thin, but rather toned and lean. That's a very different image, and a much healthier one, from the waifs that are presented by the fashion industry. Interestingly the characters in the game appear much more reasonably proportioned.

You can pre-order "Yoga" from Amazon, and if you do so through the links below you'll be helping to support Wii Fit Forum. Thanks, Paul

more ... Statistics : 2 Post || 106 Views Post by paul

Wii Fit Plus gets Dept of Health approval

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:43:08 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Wii Fit Plus gets Dept of Health approval

Computer fitness gets approval. The Nintendo Wii Fit Plus is the first computer game to win approval from the Department of Health.

It will now carry logos from the Change4Life campaign, which aims to get people interested in exercise and healthy eating.

Source: BBC news online - Read the full story at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8326152.stm more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 55 Views Post by wriggly_b

Nintendo confirms Wii system update problems

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 14:25:09 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Nintendo confirms Wii system update problems

According to Tom's Guide, and a number of other sources, Nintendo have confirmed that the Wii system update 4.2 is causing problems for owners of some unmodified Wii consoles.

Considering that this update provides no real benefits to anyone, I would strongly recommend avoiding it. Hopefully Nintendo will be more careful with the next system update, and add some real new functionality while they are at it. more ... Statistics : 3 Replies || 129 Views Post by paul

Wii Fit accessory pack @ Amazon.co.uk for just £29.99

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:37:49 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Wii Fit accessory pack @ Amazon.co.uk for just £29.99

The Thrustmaster Wii Fit accessory pack that I wrote about on Saturday is now available for pre-order from Amazon UK, for release on 9th October, at just £29.99

The pack includes:

2 Wrist/ankle weights
A Wii Balance Board riser to increase your step aerobics calorie burn
A pedometer to track your steps and calories burnt
Armband to hold the Wii Remote
Legband for the nunchuck
A Neck strap for you MP3 player
Large exercise mat
And a carry back to put it all in

Not a bad set, I think it'll be finding it's way onto my Christmas list

more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 71 Views Post by paul

Wii @ Amazon now just £140!

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:30:54 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Wii @ Amazon now just £140!

It looks like Amazon are getting aggressive when it comes to selling the Wii in the UK, they have dropped the price to just £140! They are also doing a £197 deal with Mario Kart and a second controller, which is about £100 less than what I paid a year and a half ago

Perfect for Christmas.

They also have Wii Fit Plus ready for pre-order, and with over £15 off (£20 off for the balance board version), which is perfect for someone who want's to lose those pounds in the new year

more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 40 Views Post by paul

Thrustmasters to release Wii Fit accessory pack

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 14:41:50 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Thrustmasters to release Wii Fit accessory pack

Thrustmasters is releasing a new accessory pack for Wii Fit.

EliteFitnessPack-thrustmaster-4660368-product.jpg

The Elite Fitness Pack+ N, available for $44.99 at the end of October will include...

2 Wrist/ankle weights
A Wii Balance Board riser to increase your step aerobics calorie burn
A pedometer to track your steps and calories burnt
Armband to hold the Wii Remote
Legband for the nunchuck
A Neck strap for you MP3 player
Large exercise mat
And a carry back to put it all in

There will also be a Aerobics Pack+ NW, for $29.99, which will consist of the Riser, exercise mat, and pedometer.

It looks like a great kit, especially the board riser and arm/leg bands to hold the controllers.

There's no news of worldwide releases, but I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything. more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 85 Views Post by paul

£175 Wii available from Amazon UK

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 22:14:07 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : £175 Wii available from Amazon UK

The recent Wii price drop has made it to the UK, with Amazon UK now offering it for £175.

Sadly, Wii Fit Plus won't be available until October 30th.

more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 60 Views Post by paul

$199 Wii now available from Amazon US

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:59:16 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : $199 Wii now available from Amazon US

From today Amazon US are selling the Wii console at the new price of $199, perfect timing if you want to get one for someone special's Christmas present.

And don't forget, Wii Fit Plus is released in the US on the 4th October and is available for pre-order, you lucky Americans.

And if you use the links below you'll be helping to support WiiFitForum

more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 25 Views Post by paul

Wii System update causing problems, bricking consoles

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:12:54 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Wii System update causing problems, bricking consoles A quick warning, there are increasing reports across the internet that the latest system update (4.2) for the Wii is causing problems, including completely locking it up. The update doesn't appear to add anything, it mostly seems designed to stop people in the home-brew community from running their own software on the Wii. So all in all, it might be best to avoid doing an update for a few weeks until we know that it's alright. more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 48 Views Post by paul

Wii price cut confirmed - but not in the UK

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 21:47:21 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Wii price cut confirmed - but not in the UK

After all the rumours of the last few weeks, it is now confirmed: US and Japanese Wii prices will drop by $50 as of September 27th.

However those of us in the UK won't see a price drop, but according to MCVUK the standard kit will now ship with an additional game and the Wii MotionPlus. more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 48 Views Post by paul

Wii (almost) definitely getting $50 price cut

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:27:50 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Wii (almost) definitely getting $50 price cut

Rumours of a Wii price cut have been doing the rounds for the last couple of months, and now it looks like it is official.

After scans of adverts from Best Buy and Toys-R-Us showing a $199 price-tag, now Nintendojo are reporting that Nintendo has announced the price cut to its retail partners during a conference call.

The price cut will apparently come in on the 27th September in the US. No word on the rest of the world. more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 32 Views Post by paul

Good news: Wii Fit Plus to be cheap (hopefully)

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:58:06 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Good news: Wii Fit Plus to be cheap (hopefully)

IGN is reporting that Wii Fit Plus, the upcoming update to Wii Fit will cost just 2,000 Yen in Japan, that's about $21 or £13.

That's only the game without the balance board of course, I fully expect that the full pack will be in the same price range as the current incarnation.

This is good news for anyone who has been looking forward to the improved routines and more cardio fitness games that are promised for Wii Fit Plus. Many feared they might get stiffed on the price for an update that is largely fixing things that shouldn't have been broken in the first place.

Of course, this is still all just a rumour, so keep your fingers crossed. more ... Statistics : 4 Replies || 364 Views Post by paul

Uni of Houston offers Wii Fit based gym classes

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:35:30 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Uni of Houston offers Wii Fit based gym classes

In an effort to encourage students who might otherwise not go to gym classes, the University of Houston has introduced Wii Fit based classes

This is a great, and pragmatic, approach to gym classes. If like me you were put off sports by school gym lessons, the idea of an alternative that's actually fun is very appealing. It might not be as physically rigorous as a five mile run, or an hour pumping iron, but it's sure as hell a lot more fun. more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 79 Views Post by paul

Official trailer for "EA Sports Active: More Workouts"

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 08:32:13 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Official trailer for "EA Sports Active: More Workouts"

I've been a regular EA Sports Active user for the last few months, and I'm loving it. It squeezes in much more exercise into my time than original Wii Fit (although I'm hopeful that Wii Fit Plus's routines will be an improvement).

Having said that, Active does have its flaws: the shortness of the 30 day challenge, the relatively small number of exercises, and the lack of proper warm-up stretches.

Now a trailer for the imaginatively titled "EA Sports Active: More Workouts", expected in November, has been released:

It looks like a great improvement on the original. I certainly looking forward to more exercises that are not quite so obsessed with my my thighs (I'm getting bored of lunges and squats), and including stretches and warm-ups fixes something that shouldn't have been missing in the first place.

Roll on November, with the release of Wii Fit Plus due around the same time, it will be a good time for all you fitness fans, and just in time for all that holiday season turkey more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 114 Views Post by paul

"Static bike" controller and cycling game

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 13:38:51 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : "Static bike" controller and cycling game

These slides have popped up on a number of message boards in the last few days. They appear to be Nintendo marketing slides showing a new pedalling based controller for the Wii.

One of the repeated criticisms of Wii Fit has been that it isn't so good for cardio-vascular exercise, adding what is effectively a small static bike should plug that particular whole.

It will be interesting to see how well the bike works, especially how much resistance it gives you. The slide says there will be "60 different game modes" which sounds like the typical exaggeration one expects from marketing departments, I can't see there really being 60 different ways of pedalling a bike However, this is going to be an interesting improvement over traditional exercise bikes, where the best you can do it watch a bit of TV while you pedal. more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 127 Views Post by paul

Wii Remote rechargers recalled due to fire hazard

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 13:08:44 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Wii Remote rechargers recalled due to fire hazard

Two brands of Wii Remote charger have been recalled after reports of overheating and two cases of minor burns.

The brands in question are Psyclone Essentials and React Wii™ 4-Dock Battery Recharge Stations from Griffin International. There have been six reports of overheating power-packs and two of people suffering minor burns.

There is more information available at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website. more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 107 Views Post by paul

Wii Fit Plus to arrive October 1st in Japan

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:27:56 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Wii Fit Plus to arrive October 1st in Japan

News comes to us from Andriasang.com that Wii Fit Plus is to debut in Japan on October 1st for ¥2,000 (¥9,800 with the Balance Board). That's about $20, or £13, which is pretty good value for 21 new exercises and proper routines.

It'll probably be another month or so before it comes to the UK and Europe.

more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 111 Views Post by paul

Health games earn $2 billion in the last 18 months

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:06:04 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Health games earn $2 billion in the last 18 months

According to Reuters, fitness games such as Wii Fit have seen retail sales of over $2 billion in the last 18 months, i.e. since Wii Fit first arrived.

Not only is it financially very successful, but the genre seems to be doing much better than other parts of the games industry. At the recent Games for Health Conference in Boston, they saw an increase in attendance from 100 to 390 people in the last year. A sure sign of growing interest in the field.

What's interesting about this report is the breadth of interest in the genre, attendees for the conference come from both the gaming and health and fitness industries. I think the mix of viewpoints in this part of the industry could potentially lead to some very interesting developments, both in fitness and for games. It contrasts quite strongly with much of the games industry which can be quite insular. It's also nice to see that games are being used in fields other than physio and fitness, with some being designed to help cancer patients, and to train nurses. more ... Statistics : 2 Post || 81 Views Post by paul

Wii Fit used to help arthritic children

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:44:12 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Wii Fit used to help arthritic children

The Press and Journal has a short piece about Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin (NHS link) which is using Wii Fit as part of the physiotherapy regime for children with arthritis.

Juvenile arthritis is a terrible condition that causes a lot of pain in young children, it must be very hard to get kids to do their exercises in spite of the pain and discomfort. Using something like Wii Fit, which can make those physiotherapy sessions more fun, makes is easier to get the kids active and also helps take their mind off the pain.

I think we will see a lot more use of gaming in treating children, it's a great way to sneak exercise into their play, as we all know the easiest way to get kids active is to make it fun. more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 93 Views Post by paul

Ubisoft take on Microsoft with camera based motion tracking

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 12:20:16 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Ubisoft take on Microsoft with camera based motion tracking

Gamasutra are reporting that Ubisoft are to release their own camera for the Wii, taking on Microsoft's "Project Natal" motion tracking system.

The camera will ship with the "Your Shape" game, due out in the summer holiday period, and will analyse your body shape (hence the name), and use it to help assess your fitness, and design a customised fitness regime for you.

I'm a regular user of My Fitness Coach, but the lack of any kind of feedback means that it is not much more than just a modern version of a fitness DVD, so this sounds like an excellent idea.

There is a video of "Your Shape" in use over at Ubisoft's official website, and if it really works as well as it appears, it should be great, removing the need to faff around with controllers, and making it so much easier to work out without stopping. I'm not sure I really want to see myself exercising on screen throughout my routine, but the proof will be in the pudding.

yourshape.jpg

more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 87 Views Post by paul

Ubisoft to announce camera based Wii fitness game

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 09:00:48 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Ubisoft to announce camera based Wii fitness game

According to Gamespot UbiSoft have unveiled a new Wii fitness game called "Your Shape" which will use a video camera to monitor your movements.

The bundled camera will scan your body, assess your shape and then give you a preliminary fitness test. From there, you can choose what areas of your body you want to focus on, such as your legs, and you can then choose to slim, strengthen or tone these chosen areas. After telling the game how much time you have available, it will automatically create a programme which you customise as you like.

- Gamespot

This sounds very much like My Fitness Coach, but we realtime feedback, something that is lacking in the current version. As someone who has had been using My fitness Coach religiously over the past few months, I'm really looking forward to an upgrade which can provide more feedback, and therefore provide better routines and advice. more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 146 Views Post by paul

Wii fit Plus to be announced tomorrow?

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 09:34:47 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Wii fit Plus to be announced tomorrow?

wiifitplus.png

There have been rumours circling for some time that an upgrade to Wii Fit is on its way, and now there appears to be proof in the form of the above logo, filed with the Japanese trademark organisation.

There a no publicly available details of the new product, but that hasn't stopped people theorising. Reuters is reporting that it will allow you to link up with other Wii Fit Plus users over broadband.

We know that Nintendo has been recruiting fitness experts to help them provide more advice and guidance to Wii Fit users, hopefully this will form a core of the new game, with structured workouts such as those found in My Fitness Coach and EA Sports Active.

There have also been claims that it will feature improved accuracy from the balance board. Hopefully this will be am improvement to the software rather than a new piece of hardware; I can't imagine many Wii Fit users wanting to fork out to replace their existing board.

Gamespot are suggesting quite reasonably, that we might see a preview of the new Wii Fit Plus at the Nintendo E3 Press Event at 9am PDT, 2nd June.

Fingers crossed. I have high hopes for Wii Fit Plus. If Nintendo can keep the production values high, while adding some of the best features of the other exercise games out there, this could be a really worthwhile upgrade.

My personal wish list is:

Structured workouts targeting specific goals.
Less time wasted between exercises.
More variation within each of the games (there is only so many times you can hear the same tune in the Step session before it gets very boring).
More cardio based exercises.

If you could add anything to Wii Fit Plus, what would it be? more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 175 Views Post by paul

Riiflex WiiMote weights due in the summer.

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 10:48:36 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Riiflex WiiMote weights due in the summer.

I last wrote about the Riiflex Wii Remote dumbell attachments back in January, and at the time details were pretty sketchy. But now the www.riiflex.com has a firmer release schedule (Summer), a firm price of $35/40 depending on whether you get the 2lb or 4lb version and an option to pre-order them now for a 30% discount.

The design has also been improved, they look much more ergonomic and slick as you can see from the image below

I could definitely do with something like this, but as I'm in the UK I won't be able to get my hands on a set for a while (shipping rates for the UK are unavailable, and probably very pricey). So if anyone in the US gets a set, let us know how you get on with them. more ... Statistics : 4 Replies || 250 Views Post by paul

A sane response to Wii Fit from a fitness instructor

Thu, 07 May 2009 22:02:12 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : A sane response to Wii Fit from a fitness instructor

While many, such as Michael Torchia (previous coverage) might be launching lawsuits against Nintendo and comparing games companies to the tobacco industry, it's good to see that others are taking a more reasonable approach.

In this article from Canada.com, Rob Adams, regional director of Ottawa’s Metro Central YMCA-YWCA, says much more measured and sensible things about Wii Fit and other exercise games like Dance Dance Revolution.

“It’s good for an introduction,” he said. “If it’s getting you active, it’s a positive thing.”

and

“Sometimes people just don’t know where to start,” he said. Other times, people just feel they’re too busy to focus on fitness

Many others seem to take the view that because Wii Fit is not that same as going to the gym for hours on end, that it has no value. This is an idiotic and short-sighted idea, that because something is not perfect, that it isn't worth doing.

No, Wii Fit is no substitute for a sensible diet, it won't magically make you fit, for many people it is a real step up, and something that fits in with their life-style. It is also fun, and people tend to keep doing things that are fun. People like Michael Torchia, with their black and white views on what constitutes exercise are the kinds of people that put so many other's off sports and fitness, especially in school.

So lets hear it for those that know a good thing when they see it, and understand that not everyone wants to pound the treadmill for hours every day. more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 236 Views Post by paul

Nice story of kid getting into baseball after Wii baseball

Tue, 05 May 2009 19:38:23 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Nice story of kid getting into baseball after Wii baseball

After all the usual stories of how video games are bad for kids, here is a nice little story about the writer's son improving his baseball skills by playing it on the Wii.

It's nice to have a little bit of balance to the rather black and white arguments about computer games being the root of all evil, and making kids into unmoving blobs. more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 106 Views Post by paul

Wii gives Ubisoft strong growth

Tue, 05 May 2009 19:21:12 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Wii gives Ubisoft strong growth

There has been a lot of carping, by many in the traditional computer games press, and some game publishers, that it is hard to make money creating games for the Wii unless you are Nintendo.

Well, it would appear the at least one publisher, the French UbiSoft, responsible for the Raving Rabbids franchise, and My Fitness Coach, would disagree. They have reported a year on year sales growth of 18%, attributing much of it to casual games for the Wii.

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot stated:

In a highly competitive environment Ubisoft reported full-year sales growth of 18 per cent at constant exchange rates in 2008-09 as well as the second best profitability among comparable companies in its industry.

In addition to strengthening our existing franchises – particularly Far Cry and Rayman Raving Rabbids, whose sales were up by more than 50 per cent on their previous performances – we successfully launched two new million-unit-selling brands with Shaun White and Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X, confirming our entry into the sports segment and bolstering our position in the air combat segment.

Lastly, we affirmed our expertise in titles for Nintendo consoles, with our casual games business posting a growth over 40 per cent. In 2008-09, we also continued to invest heavily in Ubisoft’s future potential, hiring some 1,300 talents for our studios with a view to driving the Company’s expansion, further strengthening our franchises and preparing for the next generation of handheld as well as home consoles.

This rather puts the lie to the idea that 3rd party Wii games can't be a success. Ubisoft have shown that if you create good games for the Wii, there is a huge market to tap. But if you create rubbish games, people won't buy them. more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 89 Views Post by paul

WiiMote Cufflinks :)

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:02:59 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : WiiMote Cufflinks :)

So what do you get the Wii fan who has everything? How about some Wii Remote Cufflinks...

Ok, so this is not strictly Wii or Wii Fit news, but I thought they were really neat

Although at $150 they are rather pricey. more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 140 Views Post by paul

NY Schools experimenting with Wii Fit

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 10:26:22 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : NY Schools experimenting with Wii Fit

The New York Post short reports that some New York Schools are experimenting with Wii Fit to help motivate some of their kids to do more exercise.

This is not really a new idea, Dance Dance Revolution and similar games based on the same concept have been used in quite a number of school for some years. My partner is a teacher, and her school has a purpose built version, which I think has more robust equipment and also touch panels on the walls.

I'm not sure Wii Fit is necessarily the best system to use in this sort of environment, but it's nice to see schools trying something to help combat the level of obesity in kids, especially those that hate school sports.

The article is worth reading just for the comments, which can mostly be summed up as "In my day..." and "Get of my lawn!' more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 84 Views Post by paul

Review: My Fitness Coach

Sat, 04 Apr 2009 23:10:56 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Review: My Fitness Coach

As creator of WiiFitForum.org, I'm obviously a fan of Wii Fit. I'm also the first to acknowledge that it is far from perfect. The main criticisms have been the lack of structured workouts and the time wasted between exercises. So I'm always looking for something to complement the Wii Fit, and for the last few weeks I have been trying My Fitness Coach (MFC).

MFC takes a different approach to Wii Fit, eschewing attempts to be a fun game. Instead think of it as a 21st century exercise video. Your virtual fitness coach, 'Maya', creates an exercise routine based on your current fitness, the time available, your aims (toning, weight-loss etc) and the equipment you have available (free weights, a step, balance ball, or pulse monitor).

My first MFC session started with a fitness test. This recorded my heart rate before and after exercise, my weight, and height, waist, thigh and chest measurements. I did both cardio exercises and strength tests, measuring how long I could work at a given rate. The only thing you will need for the test is a tape measure, but a pulse monitor may be helpful if you are not confident about taking your own pulse. This is a proper measure of your fitness, and a detailed assessment of your body shape. It is much more realistic than the one used in Wii Fit which just uses your BMI and balance. The whole process takes about 10 minutes.

Once the test is done Maya suggests what you should be concentrating on. Unsurprisingly, my target was weight loss. I then specified how much time I wanted to commit to exercise on each day of the week. I found this commitment idea much nicer than Wii Fit's continuous nagging, Maya only nags you if you don't keep your commitment, not just because you don't use it every day. I found the whole tone of MFC much more positive than Wii Fit. There is no melodramatic demonstration of how overweight you are, or nagging you when you put on the occasional pound or two.

Before you begin you pick a focus for the routine from a set of categories, such as cardio, flexibility, etc, one of which will be recommended for you. I've mostly been doing cardio, but it's good to mix things up. MFC doesn't use the Wii Fit balance board or controllers, which at first seemed like a major handicap, but it frees you up to move around much more than with Wii Fit. In fact I had to rearrange my living room a bit to make more space to exercise. I found it much easier to work up a serious sweat than with Wii Fit because of this extra dynamism.

The exercise routines are similar to what you might find on an exercise routine DVD, but are different each time, and adapt to how you are feeling. Periodically Maya asks how I'm doing and adjusts the intensity of the workout accordingly. This seems to work quite well, and recently my routines have been spot on in terms of intensity. They are varied and well structured, starting with a warm up and finishing with a few stretches, with brief rests and water breaks. Maya doesn't waste much time and the routines are very efficient for burning calories (you get an estimate at the end). ... more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 410 Views Post by paul

Wii Riiser available from Amazon at the end of April

Sat, 04 Apr 2009 19:58:50 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Wii Riiser available from Amazon at the end of April

Looks like there is finally something to raise the Wii Fit balance board up to a decent height. The Wii Riiser from ZooZen will be available from Amazon.com from 25th April. The device is a foldable stand that raises the Wii Fit balance board up to a height of four inches, which is apparently the standard height of a step aerobics platform.

This is something that is sorely needed if you want to burn serious calories doing Wii Fit Step Aerobics or Rhytm Boxing. The current height of the board simply doesn't present much of a workout.

No sign of a release date for those of us on the other side of the pond, but I'll keep looking. If anyone manages to get one, let us know how much of a difference it makes to your workout.

more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 326 Views Post by paul

Rumors of Wii Fit Plus arriving in November

Sat, 04 Apr 2009 19:45:00 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Rumors of Wii Fit Plus arriving in November

GoNintendo have a short report showing the upcoming release list for a games shop in Amsterdam. The list shows a release date of 19th November. This rumour has been flying round the internet for the last day or so, and I hope it turns out to be true (although it's a long wait).

The timing sounds about right, just in time for the Christmas shopping season, and far enough away that many existing Wii Fit users will have got bored or frustrated with the first version. Wii Fit sales for Christmas 2008 were astronomical, and I'm sure Nintendo are planning a repeat performance.

Hopefully Nintendo will be spending the next seven months looking at what its competitors have been doing and sorting out some of the most glaring problems with Wii Fit, such as the lack of routines, and the amount of time wasted during sessions.

In the meantime, I'll be checking out some of the other fitness games available for the Wii and seeing how they compare, so stay tuned. more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 260 Views Post by paul

Wii voted gaget that "makes us most happy" in poll

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:56:41 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Wii voted gaget that "makes us most happy" in poll

The Telegraph have a short article about a poll of customer to "The Gadget Helpline", a kind of universal tech support line for gadgets.

Those polled put the Wii at the top of the list of gadgets that make them happy, a result that will come as little surprise to those of use that own one.

The complete list:

1. Nintendo Wii
2. iPod
3. iPhone 3G
4. Xbox 360
5. Blackberry
6. Sky+
7. Mac Book
8. Nintendo DS
9. Tom Tom 930 Satellite Navigation System
10. Sony PRS-505 Reader

Of course, like most surveys like this, it's highly unreliable and self selecting, but an interesting result. What I found most surprising was the total absence of the PS3 from the list, while the XBox came a respectable fourth. Even the Sony eBook Reader gets on the list, but the PS3 is nowhere to be seen.

This result does hit home at one of the reasons why the Wii has been successful, it's just so much damn fun, it's a great console with some great games to play with friends and strangers, and it never fails to put a smile on people's faces (especially if you've been playing Raving Rabbids TV Party ) more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 145 Views Post by paul

Ubisoft to release Wii Fit game with balance board support

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 11:05:19 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Ubisoft to release Wii Fit game with balance board support

Looks like Ubisoft, probably one of the best games developers on the Wii at the moment, have been working on a new fitness game in collaboration with Gold's Gym (where Arnold Schwarzenegger trained).

The game Gold's Gym: Cardio Workout, will concentrate on getting your heart-rate up, and will be able to track the number of calories burnt and your progress.

I'm glad to see more companies entering the "Exergaming" market, and especially happy to see Ubisoft at it. Ubisoft have been one of the best developers for making optimum use of the Wii's control systems, with Raving Rabbids TV Party being a great example of how to make use of the balance board in new and interesting ways.

Hopefully all this competition will help raise the bar, and spur Nintendo on to release a Wii Fit 2. It should also put an end to the likes of the terrible Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum which has just two stars on Amazon.

More information at the Sydney Morning Herald more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 267 Views Post by paul

More news in the Michael Torchia lawsuit agains Nintendo

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 20:15:14 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : More news in the Michael Torchia lawsuit agains Nintendo

NewsBlaze has more news one the ongoing class-action lawsuit against Nintendo about the Wii Fit by health guru Michael Torchia.

It looks like he's taking a more conciliatory approach now, suggesting a set of improvements which on reading them are not unreasonable. Additional instruction on how to do the games properly, both in the manual (I can't actually remember reading my copy...) and online, and age specific settings for the young and the old seem like sensible ideas.

However, to me there still seems to be too much "listen to me" going on here. Nintendo have already announced that they are planning such things, and have a team of health experts in place to start it. Torchia seems to think very highly of himself (he is a talk radio host, so that goes with the territory) and seems to think that Nintendo should be talking specifically to him, as if he is the only one who understands health and fitness.

Considering some of the things he said about the Wii Fit and gaming in general, I can't help thinking that this new softer tone is a response to a lot of negative press he will have had regarding this story.

It certainly feels like it's all about publicity. more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 201 Views Post by paul

Oh no! Wii now BAD for your health... allegedly

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:21:25 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Oh no! Wii now BAD for your health... allegedly

According to articles in the Telegraph and Sun newspapers (so prepare for quality journalism), the Wii is "putting 10 people in hospital every week" with "Wii-itus" and "Wii knee" (their terms, not mine).

Both papers quote doctors from various hospitals as saying that they are seeing more people presenting with tendon damage, and even a fractured hand bone due to a collision of hands.

Of course, with 4,818,928 Wiis sold in the UK (number courtesy of VGChartz) the idea that a few people might get injured while playing seems rather unsurprising. Of course, "putting 10 people in hospital every week" probably means that 10 people a week are presenting at casualty (ER), I find it hard to believe that many are actually being whisked to hospital in an ambulance after an over-strenuous game of Wii Tennis.

There is a small nugget of common sense in both these articles, as with all physical activity, you should warm up and stretch before doing anything too strenuous, especially if you don't normally do much.

Having said that, what a sad indictment of the state of people's health that they are suffering injuries that take them to the doctor, just from the light activity associated with the Wii. more ... Statistics : 3 Replies || 566 Views Post by paul

Wii Fit helps autistic boy stay fit.

Sun, 11 Jan 2009 14:53:34 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Wii Fit helps autistic boy stay fit.

I recently came across this fascinating blog entry by the father of a young autistic boy, about the problems of keeping him healthy, and how the Wii and Wii Fit have helped.

The boy, "J", has trouble eating many healthier foods (they trigger his gag reflex), so eating well can be hard. Combine this with the problems of many social or team sports for those with autism, and staying healthy can be hard. But it looks like the Wii Fit is perfect for young J, to quote the blogger...

All of these features are precisely conducive to J's unique way of learning. First of all, it is engaging without being overly demanding from a social standpoint (unlike team sports). It is unforgivingly rigid in its repetitive nature - it behaves the same way each time. This avoids J's sometime-anxiety about variable things. It has clear, easy-to-understand goals, which play to J's learning style. It disguises physical activity in what seems more of a cerebral pursuit with the use of points, stars, levels of achievement, and gradual unlocking of new activities. Frankly, it is an ideal method for J to improve his physical fitness.

It's interesting how some of the things that many see as a negative, are a positive for someone like J.

There is increasing activity in the healthcare world looking at how to best use such off the shelf technology to help people. I suspect we will see many more stories like this, of the Wii and Wii Fit being used to help all sorts of people, in the months and years to come. more ... Statistics : 2 Post || 177 Views Post by paul

Lawsuit - Wii Fit bad for you and encouraging obesity

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 20:50:45 GMT

Wii and Wii Fit News

Post subject : Lawsuit - Wii Fit bad for you and encouraging obesity

One of the natural laws of the universe seems to be that the more popular something gets, the more stupid the lawsuits it attracts.

And so it is with the Wii and Wii Fit.

Fitness guru, and self described "America's Lifestyle Coach For Health And Wellness", Michael Torchia is launching a class action lawsuit against Nintendo claiming:

Nintendo is contributing to the epidemic of obesity. Young and old are putting away their gym clothes and shying away from going outdoors to play sports, because the addictive appeal to the Wii game products. Just as the tobacco companies created such a false image of their products and hid the potential dangers, so is Nintendo.

Now I don't disagree that computer games and TV have helped contribute to increasingly sedentary kids (and adults), but to target Nintendo and the Wii Fit seems perverse. The idea that legions of people are suddenly cancelling their gym membership and grabbing a Wii Fit as a replacement is ludicrous. Most people either use the Wii Fit as a compliment to diet and other exercise, or more likely hate "traditional" fitness regimes and are finding the Wii Fit an entertaining way of doing more exercise than they have in years. Torchia should be glad that people who might never have thought of doing any kind of structured exercise now have a comparatively cheap (assuming you already have a Wii) means of getting more active.

With Nintendo planning to launch a new Wii channel with health and fitness advice from experts, you''d think that Torchia would be keen to join in and encourage people.

Torchia is also claiming that there are insufficient warnings on Wii games about potential injuries, which will seem nuts to any regular user of Wii Fit, I seem to spend half my time clicking through health warnings about warming up and not bumping into things.

Now, in a sane world, this case wouldn't get very far, but it is being bought in a California court, so who know...

More coverage at News Blaze

Commentary from MLive and Kotaku.com more ... Statistics : 1 Post || 271 Views Post by paul

Wii and Wii Fit News - News - Digest - Long list

VIDEO: New trailer for "EA Sports Active - More Workouts"

Exercise bike coming to the Wii

Recommended calorie intake vs. reality

Which personal trainer do you prefer?

New study into Wii Fit released - Mostly misses the point

VIDEO: "Your Shape" - First look and interview

Review: All Star Cheerleader (Cheer Squad in US)

New Yoga game coming to the Wii in November

Wii Fit Plus gets Dept of Health approval

Nintendo confirms Wii system update problems

Wii Fit accessory pack @ Amazon.co.uk for just £29.99

Wii @ Amazon now just £140!

Thrustmasters to release Wii Fit accessory pack

£175 Wii available from Amazon UK

$199 Wii now available from Amazon US

Wii System update causing problems, bricking consoles

Wii price cut confirmed - but not in the UK

Wii (almost) definitely getting $50 price cut

Good news: Wii Fit Plus to be cheap (hopefully)

Uni of Houston offers Wii Fit based gym classes

Official trailer for "EA Sports Active: More Workouts"

"Static bike" controller and cycling game

Wii Remote rechargers recalled due to fire hazard

Wii Fit Plus to arrive October 1st in Japan

Health games earn $2 billion in the last 18 months

More stories of exergame related injuries.

Wii Fit used to help arthritic children

Ubisoft take on Microsoft with camera based motion tracking

Ubisoft to announce camera based Wii fitness game

Wii fit Plus to be announced tomorrow?

Riiflex WiiMote weights due in the summer.

A sane response to Wii Fit from a fitness instructor

Nice story of kid getting into baseball after Wii baseball

Wii gives Ubisoft strong growth

WiiMote Cufflinks :)

NY Schools experimenting with Wii Fit

Review: My Fitness Coach

Wii Riiser available from Amazon at the end of April

Rumors of Wii Fit Plus arriving in November

Wii voted gaget that "makes us most happy" in poll

Ubisoft to release Wii Fit game with balance board support

More news in the Michael Torchia lawsuit agains Nintendo

Oh no! Wii now BAD for your health... allegedly

Wii Fit helps autistic boy stay fit.

Lawsuit - Wii Fit bad for you and encouraging obesity