Nintendo Wii Fit a great daily workout routine

Nintendo Co.'s Wii Fit is a solid entry in the fitness genre for the Wii. The range of exercises, from easy to hard, can provide a framework for a daily workout routine that will pay off for players who invest in it.

Players conduct an initial Body Test to enter information and receive a BMI report that will conclude if the player is underweight, normal, overweight, or obese. Up to eight profiles can be saved for a daily charting of weight, to set two-week weight goals, and password protect accounts to hide personal information.

Wii Fit offers four categories of exercises, including Yoga, Muscle Training, Aerobics, and Balance Games. Yoga includes various poses like the Warrior and the Tree, Muscle Training include Lunges and Jackknifes, Aerobics includes Hula Hoop and Basic Step, and Balance Games include Soccer Heading and Ski Slalom.

The Wii Balance Board does a fine job of detecting player balance and pressure. The Yoga and Muscle Training exercises require players to keep their balance (represented by a dot) within a tiny circle. Any fluctuation is immediately reflected on-screen and in the grading process. Additionally, the pressure detection can determine how much strength the player is putting into the exercise.

The Aerobics exercises are great for consistent movement for the whole body. Hula Hoop will require players to sway their hips and catch additional hoops. Players can go on a virtual jog in Basic Run. Without the Balance Board, players simple hold or pocket the Wii Remote to jog in a beautiful landscape among Mii friends. There's also the 2 People Run option for two-player jogs.
Balance Games are short, fun, and the least taxing of all exercises. Soccer Heading allows players to lean left and right to knock back soccer balls. The Ski Slalom is a challenge as players lean left to right to pass the downhill gates. A lean forward will make the skier go faster. Also fun is the Table Tilt to move Mii balls into the hole.

The Male or Female virtual personal trainers do well in explaining each exercise and providing feedback, though many phrases will be repeated over the course of a workout.

The graphics engine in Wii Fit is solid at 60 frames per second. From the colorful Balance Games to the subdued palette of Yoga and Muscle Training, the title holds effective, no-frills charm.
Wii Fit lacks a customizable workout routine for players and full cooperative play in almost all exercises, two features that would be welcome in a follow-up title.

Also, the interface requires that players hold the remote to select menu options. The action can be cumbersome in-between exercises, and a foot tap to proceed would have been more efficient.
Wii Fit is a great framework for conducting a daily exercise routine. The game provides plenty of exercises that can yield results for the entire family, and offers a friendly atmosphere that invites all to have fun while keeping fit.

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Regards,
Sandesh Kumar