Wii fitness research

In the first study, they're seeking to discover if Wii workouts really are workouts. They're doing this by having people walk or jog with the Wii Fit program. While they exercise, the joggers wear a mask that measures oxygen intake. They also report the intensity of the workout to the researchers every five minutes.

Elan Lieber, an OSU sophomore recruited by the team, was barely winded at the end of his jog, during which he demonstrated how to "cheat" the Wii by moving the hand-held control faster than he was actually jogging. He laughed as the Wii instructed him to take it easy.

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/science/stories/2010/02/28/public-research.html?sid=101

If I hadn't had my own experiences using my body as the laboratory for my research over the past two years, I would really think that the Wii just doesn't provide a good workout reading about these research studies. The Wii has been my primary mode of exercise and as a group fitness professional I give it the highest rating of 5 stars in my book. With the Wii, I can experience my own group fitness class in my living room with just me. I love 32-count cueing group fitness classes because of the experience of synchronization. Rhythmic movement synchronized delivers that feeling of flow runners are oft heard describing. I get it from moving in rhythm to great music over a period of time with smooth transitions to increased exertion and more perhaps increasing complex combinations or perhaps not. The Wii is like the perfect cueing tool. It's an essential aide for group fitness instructors who want to teach fulltime but without so much wear and tear on the body. This is one of the reasons I love it the most. In one hour and without leaving home or even dressing out if I don't want to I can: play tennis, box, golf, water ski have a dance dance revolution and party down with Wii Fit Plus Free Step or Free Run. For someone like me who loves all types of movement, activities and play, and who loves a little bit of this mixed up with that and that and maybe some of that over there, I can easily tailor make me an exercise routine with the Wii. As far as exertion and comparing it to a workout, I am so physically-challenged by these virtual fitness workouts that it equates to health-enhancing physical activity. And it's great because I'm into the no or low-impact portion of my life. I want to keep my body functioning effectively for the next 50 or more years and am more focused on the functional benefits of movement. All this to say is that in this business of fitness, you really have to be your own fitness expert. I am sharing only what I have personally experienced and I invite you to share your Wii fitness experiences here or any other fitness-related topic. Happy Sunday! Beautiful sunny day in Georgia.