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With the advent of the Nintendo Wii Fitness line of games, many couch potato gamers are finally becoming active without even realizing it.
But can someone who is seriously looking for a power packed, high cardio, and aerobics type workout really benefit from the Wii fit?
Well to be honest the first set of games the Nintendo Wii Fitness came out with will only give the serious workout freak a worm up routine, and that's about it. For beginners its fine, for those who are just starting a exercise regiment its great, but for the advance fitness buff, it will be disappointing.
So the Nintendo Wii Fitness developer came up with the perfect solution and the answer to the advance fitness user. In recent months Wii Fit has evolved into a set of games offering the user a more intense cardio and strength training workout. Here is a brief over view of the top 5, starting with the least intense workout.
5) Wii Fit Bundle
The Wii Fit bundle package was the first set of games released in 2008, and as the name suggest was a group of games bundled together with the purchase of the Wii fitness gaming console. Depending on which bundle package you wanted, the system came with the controller, balance board and several games. The games ranged form Yoga, Pilates, Tennis, boxing, Balance games, skiing or ice boarding and other low impact, more gaming than workout activities.
These games are great for fun but would not do for a real calorie burn workout. SO I would give this 1 out of 5 for workout and 4 out of 5 for fun. A Total of 5 out of 10
4) Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2009
Most people by now should know who Jillian Michaels is, you may not know her name but if you ever watched the Biggest Loser reality TV series, she is the drill sergeant /personal trainer/motivational coach and the star of the show (personal opinion).
Based on the intensity of the character on the Biggest Loser, this game was disappointing and somewhat boring, the only reason I but it higher than the Wii fit is because the workout is more intense and you could really burn some calories with this game.
This game utilizes the balance board, the controller and Nunchuck for a good workout it has 4 Workout types, strength training, cardio, weight loss, stretches. The game allows you to track your progress and save your stats.
I did notice that the controller response time was annoyingly delayed and some of the instructions were not very clear so it was difficult at times getting my on screen character to move or replicate my movements. I think there are a few bugs in the software coding for this game that were not worked out before release.
Some of the games did kinda look like the Wii Fit games repackaged, also the only motivation the game gave you would be Jillian saying "Give It All You Got" which after a while became more annoying that motivating.
I did like the back ground workout music which was motivating and you could select from a wide variety of music styles. The squat exercise workout was great and will make you sweat.
This game will defiantly burn some calories, but I think you will become bored with this game sooner than later.
I give the Wii Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2009 game 3 out of 5 for workout and 2 out of 5 for fun. A total of 5 out of 10
3) Gold's Gym Cardio Workout
Ok, this is the first of the Wii Fitness games to focus more on Cardio workout that mimics the workout you will get in a gym, hence the name.
With this game you will get a real workout. The game utilizes the Wii's motion controls, the Balance board.
The highlight of this game is the TaeBo like boxing workout routine. This game seems to get the principle of running in place more accurately than the previous game. The sit-ups and jumping rope will give you a great workout. The Cardi Gold's Gym Workout game keeps great record of your calorie burn and fitness progress, and will automatically increase the difficulty and intensity of your workout to suit.
So overall this is more responsive and offer non stop action for a great workout, the points system is great for motivation so I will give the Wii Gold's Gym Cardio Workout game 3 ½ out of 5 for workout and 3 out of 5 for fun. A total of 6 1/2 out of 10.
2) My Fitness Coach
One of my favorite game, with over 500 different workout activities to choose from you will not soon get bored. This game is loads of fun and packs one heck of a workout!
The game will initially ask a series of detailed question to make sure you get off to the appropriate start, based on your fitness level.
Your Personal Virtual fitness coach will walk you through your workout, give pointers on improvements you need to make and motivate you every step of the way. The game will take you through a series of worm up flexibility routine, strength training, cardio, and other sports workout activity. The Game allows you to choose your duration of workouts and the days you wish to workout. It will keep track of your calendar and remind you of your workout days.
You can select your very own workout environment and background music, quite a few to choose form.
My Fitness Coach will plot your progress with impressive graphs and charts and recommend areas to work on to reach your goal. Completely customizable to meet your individual needs.
No Balance board is required for this game and I see why, you will be moving around a lot and the balance board would just get in the way.
Your workout can include Cardio, Upper and lower body training, Abs, Yoga and flexibility. I also like the fact that the game can include any small equipment you may already have such as a step platform, fitness ball, hand and ankle weight and a heart monitor. Finally start using those exercise equipment you have stored in the closet!
Maya your virtual coach, is a encouraging, reassuring trainer who adjust quickly to your needs.
She will from time to time ask you how you are feeling during workout routine. The choices are No Sweat, I Was Working Hard, and I Couldn't Keep Up. Based on the selection you make to her question she will adjust the workout program to match your response, this is so cool.
I have to give the Wii My Fitness Coach 4 out of 5 for workout and 4 out of 5 for fun, a total of 8 out of 10.
1) The Wii EA Sports Active
My tops pick! It seems like every time Nintendo Wii Fitness comes out with a new game its better that the one before. Just released March 2009, this game is hot!
The EA Sports Active was created based on the training techniques of personal fitness trainer and expert Bob Green, personal trainer to the stars.
This Game delivers a combination of intense workout routines, power pack cardio, strength training, all combined together into a ever changing, extended circuit workout routine.
Specifically designed with women in mind (but I use it all the time) in order to work those common problem areas like buns, abs, inner and outer thighs, waistline, and arms.
This game will teach you about nutrition, lifestyle, and physical activity. This is the complete package here.
With the use of the Wii Remote and the Nunchuck controllers the workouts will move seamlessly from one activity to the next, all the while monitoring your progress and movements. The Sports Active also uses a unique Upper thigh pocket attachment to place the Nunchuck controller into; this will monitor your lower body movement like never before. You will receive real-time feedback from your on screen personal trainer.
Included with the EA Sports Active game is the resistance stretch band, designed to increase the intensity of strength training workout such as shoulder presses, bicep curls and lifts. The Wii Balance board is not included but the board is compatible with many EA SPORTS Active workouts.
Take the 30 Day Challenge with personalized 20 minute workouts routines based on your fitness level. The Circuits will change as you progress through your workout day.
The EA SPORTS Active will also track your calories and progress throughout your 30 Day Challenge.
The EA Sports Active gets 5 out of 5 for workout and 4 out of 5 for fun, a total of 9 out of 10, making it my top pick.
Stay Fit and healthy,
Steve Robertson
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