Which games console for the wife's exercise regime?

Wife doesn't need to loose weight, she just wants it as she can't get to the gym too often nowadays. How much of a substitute for the gym it is is another argument (I think not much, but that's what she wants for xmas)

We have a Wii with the Wiifit thingy. Great fun, not sure how fit it would get you although you can certainly build up a sweat failing to beat your 10 year old at table tennis (or maybe that's just me!). Gadget Show recently did a comparison and came out in favour of the XBox Kinnect. Plus, as others have said, the other games choice is better on the XBox than the Wii. The BluRay angle isn't really relevant - we've also got a PS3 and it's still easier to have a separate BluRay player.

I think I feel that none of these games/gadgets give any long term benefit or aid to getting fit. It's just a fad and and a distraction, if someone wants to get fit get out and get active.
Given the choice get the XBox, I'm no gamer but there are some great games out there and even I love Gears of War and the odd autosport game..

[Mr Speirs]

Personally I don't think these wii fit games or any other are substitute for any sort of proper fitness regime. From experience the wii fit relies in physical movement alone rather than the physical movement and resistance actual exercise exterts on the body.

For example running on a treadmill at 10kPh for 10mins on a zero
Incline was easy for me. Once I increased the incline it felt more like I was actually pushing my weight along.

Probably a god send for people who literally are couch potatoes. Nothing more than a gimmick for a majority of reasonably active people.
And to the informed probably no substitute to a
Professional fitness regime.

[hindle8907]

my bird has both for fittness, she only uses the kenict, the wii is hardly used.

Bolox, the wii fit would be good for fitness if it got used correctly, same as if you went the gym and used the machines there as much or incorrectly.


ANYTHING that gets people using some cardio is a good thing imo, the wii and xbox etc are good cos they make a game of it, whereas a lot of people find gyms boring, me included.

Had a go on a Kinect and Kinect Sports. Blimmin' knackering but tbh 'not holding anything' isn't much good because the interface is terrible, you have to hold your arms just right to choose options and sometimes you just want to pick up a controller and get on with choosing your options. Plus you have to stay within view of the sensor and when you get into it, it's all to easy to move too near the TV and the game stops working.

[dizzyblonde]

I have the Wii fit and balance board, with Yoga mat. Although the fitness 'games' supplied are ok, and a bit on the mild side, there are some really rock hard games out there you can buy to suit. TBH you can ramp up how hard or easy you wish to use them.

You can get zumba games, dancing games, and fitness guru games. I have a Gillian Michaels Ultimate Fitness one, and when I first started using it, it nearly killed me off. Shes one of those American trainer types.

As above, if you use it properly, it works, if you don't it seems useless. My mum got one, but she doesn't push herself, so can't see the point in using it, she has it on gentle setting, then wonders why nowt happens!


Still haven't gotten rid of the lard on me gut though


PS, if you can't afford a gym or pro training, walk everywhere, and are pretty active running after a baby all day, I think the wii is a reasonable substitute.

Originally Posted by hindle8907

my bird has both for fittness, she only uses the kenict, the wii is hardly used.

sorry for the thread steal but are you looking to sell the Wii?

Originally Posted by Mr Speirs

For example running on a treadmill at 10kPh for 10mins on a zero
Incline was easy for me. Once I increased the incline it felt more like I was actually pushing my weight along.

Did it do you much good? What did you set the incline to? I'm thinking of a getting a treadmill.