Slog - Comments on One Day Into Wii Fit http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit Hours after Wii Fit arrived at my house, I was ready to rechristen the device it comes with. "The Wii Balance Board?!" I yelled at a bar while drinking with friends last night. "More like the Wii Breakup Device." Hopes were high for Wii Fit when I got it yesterday, and my first session with this gaming/workout fusion was positive. The Wii Balance Board is Nintendo's second-ever family fitness device, the first being the Power Pad in the '80s. Similar ideas for both--stand on it and move to control a game. But while the Power Pad was only used to... Copyright 2008 Tue, 13 May 2008 16:10:42 -0800 Wed, 14 May 2008 10:47:37 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Mike of Renton Finally, a "good" excuse to NOT have a Wii.

]]> Mike of Renton http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023668 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023668 Games Tue, 13 May 2008 16:25:42 -0800 Comment by vooodooo84 I do agree that it might be a cultural division. The Japanese seem to be all about using social pressure on each other. Americans fucking explode when it is applied to them.

]]> vooodooo84 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023672 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023672 Games Tue, 13 May 2008 16:27:33 -0800 Comment by hmm Can you play something like DDR on it?

]]> hmm http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023674 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023674 Games Tue, 13 May 2008 16:28:35 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle Um, dude, the problem is exactly as you stated:

She was already tired from a long day of standing for hours at work, and she was immediately turned off by having to stand on the board for long periods, having too low a ceiling in our house for a few of the yoga moves, and slipping when trying the step-exercises mode.

Why would you not be paying attention to her state of being and forcing this on her in the first place?

And @2 - the Japanese explode too, but they hold it in until they REALLY EXPLODE!!!!!!!

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023678 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023678 Games Tue, 13 May 2008 16:31:39 -0800 Comment by PopTart Well I can't wait to get mine. But I am hoping there's a way to hide your stats because I'm sure everyone who comes over will want to try it and I don't particularly want them seeing all my numbers.

]]> PopTart http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023687 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023687 Games Tue, 13 May 2008 16:36:52 -0800 Comment by Non Interesting writeup

]]> Non http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023689 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023689 Games Tue, 13 May 2008 16:37:42 -0800 Comment by Matty Worth Sam, I really hope you do a follow-up on this in a month or two. I think the big question for this product will be how long you really feel motivated to stick with it after the original novelty wears off.

]]> Matty Worth http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023690 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023690 Games Tue, 13 May 2008 16:38:20 -0800 Comment by PC it's a western thing -- talking while in a state of conflict is viewed as unhealthy and abnormal in the west, hugely uncomfortable, while talking while in a state of conflict is viewed as healthy and normal in the east, and it would be hugely uncomfortable to not do so.

]]> PC http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023692 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023692 Games Tue, 13 May 2008 16:39:33 -0800 Comment by Sam M. @4: Good question. The big reason I was interested in her joining my Wii Fit test was to see how successfully, if at all, Wii Fit can fit into a busy-ass workweek. That's a huge percentage of who Nintendo's aiming for here. I didn't really go into that because that's honestly to be seen--will we both be able to keep up a daily regimen?

I'm a dumbass, but I try not to be a cruel taskmaster...

]]> Sam M. http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023693 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023693 Games Tue, 13 May 2008 16:40:33 -0800 Comment by stinkbug 1) How high/low are your ceilings?
2) I can't play a marble balance game via dvd.
3) I think some people are expecting wii fit to be full of hard workout exercises. They don't realize that a lot of it involves "calmer" eastern balance type of activities. I think some of the subtleness will be annoying for some people.
4) You didn't mention that future games will be making use of the board. It's not just for wii fit.
5) Please take and share video of your GF doing the hula hoop activity. Thanks.

]]> stinkbug http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023703 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023703 Games Tue, 13 May 2008 16:47:12 -0800 Comment by Sam M. @3: Not officially, and I don't think it'd work very well based on the way you have to step in DDR.

@5: You're in luck--you can protect your stats/progress/WEIGHT with a password. Up to eight people can track their progress on a single Wii as well.

@7: Agreed. Expect that sort of update in a few weeks.

]]> Sam M. http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023707 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023707 Games Tue, 13 May 2008 16:48:42 -0800 Comment by Jonah S @10-

Sam's ceilings are about 4 feet high. His place looks like fucking Hobbiton.

]]> Jonah S http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023774 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023774 Games Tue, 13 May 2008 17:35:05 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle Can you Friend people via Wii24 and find out if they're keeping fit?

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023776 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023776 Games Tue, 13 May 2008 17:36:09 -0800 Comment by Enigma I'm so glad this thing is finally out. I was a tester at Nintendo when this thing was in the department, and after "playing" it for 8 hours a day, 2.5 months straight I still wanted it. I think that says something about how effective it is. I lost about 2" off my waist, and my favorite thing to do was the hula hoop. Really effective. I'm not with Nintendo anymore, but I still want it.

]]> Enigma http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023843 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023843 Games Tue, 13 May 2008 18:41:58 -0800 Comment by Mab Quick question - does it actually give you a good workout? I'm a pretty athletic person and my hubby and I are totally looking forward to Wii Fit, but aren't sure if it will be comparable to going to a gym. Thoughts?

]]> Mab http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023878 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023878 Games Tue, 13 May 2008 19:20:51 -0800 Comment by el this freaks me the fuck out. I don't know why, but it makes me want to throw my computer out a window. go take a goddamn jog!

]]> el http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023930 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023930 Games Tue, 13 May 2008 20:30:03 -0800 Comment by Enigma @15- It's not really comparable to going to a gym for weight training, but if you're gonna watch 30 mins. of tv, you might as well do the steps or jog in place as opposed to sitting on the couch. It gives a low to moderate aerobic workout, but you're not gonna build great muscles. The yoga did make me more flexible, but only because I had gone so many years without stretching. If you're already into yoga/pilates, this will just supplement it. But once all those DVD workout gurus get an idea of how to program a more strenuous regime, it might be worth it to more than just beginners.

]]> Enigma http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023960 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023960 Games Tue, 13 May 2008 21:15:33 -0800 Comment by stinkbug @15, yeah, don't expect it to be a complete gym workout.

for a better idea of what it can and can't do, read some of the reviews of here:

http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/wii/wiifit

it's not filled with lots of heart-pumping exercises, it's more learn towards balance exercises.

so people already into fitness may scoff at it. but there are many many people whose life will change by being a little more active.

]]> stinkbug http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023990 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023990 Games Tue, 13 May 2008 22:33:54 -0800 Comment by Mr. Poe The Wii is really all you care about. How did you get this job? Oh yeah.

]]> Mr. Poe http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023991 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1023991 Games Tue, 13 May 2008 22:36:17 -0800 Comment by seamatt As a model/actor--those two people in the promo are just hired because of their appearance to show what their desired demographic looks like. They were not even planning the game I would guess.

]]> seamatt http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1024049 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1024049 Games Wed, 14 May 2008 08:24:57 -0800 Comment by lost The balance games supplant the overall workout without feeling like work.

Did you mean supplement?

]]> lost http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1024178 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/05/one_day_into_wii_fit#c1024178 Games Wed, 14 May 2008 10:47:37 -0800