My tips for playing Wii Fit

Since I'm been active on the forums, I've notice a few topics mentioning Wii Fit. A few (not a lot, but some) were negative. This kind of bums me out because I love the game, and wouldn't be where I am today with out it. It inspired me to do something about my weight (before Wii Fit, I really didn't care that I was 276lbs). Now I'm 50 pounds lighter, and it's mostly thanks to Wii Fit. So, here are some tips for getting the most out of the game, because Wii Fit is like any other form of exercise- you get out of it what you put in.

1. First and foremost, play everyday! This game was designed more as a introduction to exercise, so playing everyday will ultimately want to make you seek out other forms of exercise (as I did). It's been 84 days since my first day playing the game, of those 84 days I've missed 5, for a total of 45 hours and 20 minutes of total work-out time.

2. Be patient. All the best exercises and higher repetitions aren't going to be available to you right away. I think that many people understood this, because I heard a lot of complaints like "I barely broke a sweat" on peoples first day of playing.  This is a "casual" game at its heart but it has one feature that is very "hardcore" which is unlocking content. It probably took me about 2 or 3 weeks of playing a half hour a day to unlock every exercise and all repetitions. If you want to unlock content quicker just play longer. An hour a day will unlock exercises twice as fast.

3. Don't cheat yourself. Don't play a half hour of balance games and call it "exercise." You'll only be cheating yourself. Instead concentrate on the exercises that actually make you break a sweat, and that you find the most difficult. I completely ignore the balance games, and work on strength training and Yoga, with some aerobics thrown in every now and again.When doing exercises like advanced step or boxing exaggerate your movements and really get into the game.

4. Find another form of exercise. Go walking for an hour, then go home and play Wii Fit. Wii Fit is best when mixed with other forms of exercise. As I said before, the game is just designed to get you active, and thinking about your health. And last but not least...

5. Listen to the Wii Fit tips. There is some pretty good information to be obtained from this game.

And that's it. These tips should help you get the most out of Wii Fit. I hope this helps those who were previously complaining that Wii Fit wasn't a good work out.

I use it as my home scale only. Not really interested in playing the game. Good tips though.

It was interested to read this.  I do not have a Wii, but its cool to know it helped motivate you into your healthy lifestyle.  I think other members and newbies will be motivated by your success story and benefit from this.

Also, if nothing else it is a great idea for children who need more exercise.  If I had a Wii I'd consider buying it!

thanks joe for the tips!

I plan on getting one after i met my 30lb goal.

In reference to negative comments regarding the benefits of the wii fit: 

I think it's important that people keep in mind the huge disparity in fitness levels on this site. some of us are not that active (like me). it can be a struggle to exercise the way we should, for whatever reasons.  So any exercise is an accomplishment. it's sounds like you are a great example of where to start and how to progressively do more. Congrats!

Original Post by comomo72:

thanks joe for the tips!

I plan on getting one after i met my 30lb goal.

In reference to negative comments regarding the benefits of the wii fit: 

I think it's important that people keep in mind the huge disparity in fitness levels on this site. some of us are not that active (like me). it can be a struggle to exercise the way we should, for whatever reasons.  So any exercise is an accomplishment. it's sounds like you are a great example of where to start and how to progressively do more. Congrats!

Thanks. That's exactly what Wii Fit is about. But I was reading comments from some people who said that they didn't break a sweat AND they were not in shape or athletic at all. And I think this was because it was their first or second day of Wii Fit and they had not unlocked the harder exercises yet. You have to start somewhere, and I think most Wii games (the more "casual" ones) tend to assume that the user is has never played a video game, and in the case of games like Wii Fit and Wii sports, that the user has little to no athleticism. So of course the game is going to start you out with as little physical exertion as possible!

Great tips! I love my Wii Fit. I really love the Rhythm boxing and the step. I work up a sweat doing those. And I can say that 6 minutes of hula hoop is hard work!

Tips from me:

If you don't find it challenging enough add hand weights or ankle weights. I use my hand weights while doing some exercises to add resistance. It makes it much more challenging.

Also don't cheat on the exercises... there are ways you can but be true to yourself and your goals and do them properly.

Challenge a friend or family member to do it with you -- gives you a competitive angle. Or just try to beat your top mark! I always get more motivated when I see I didn't match or beat my top score.

Even if you don't feel like doing anything that day do a little.

If you like the balance games use them as a reward after you finish.

Original Post by nbkelly:

Great tips! I love my Wii Fit. I really love the Rhythm boxing and the step. I work up a sweat doing those. And I can say that 6 minutes of hula hoop is hard work!

Tips from me:

If you don't find it challenging enough add hand weights or ankle weights. I use my hand weights while doing some exercises to add resistance. It makes it much more challenging.

Also don't cheat on the exercises... there are ways you can but be true to yourself and your goals and do them properly.

Challenge a friend or family member to do it with you -- gives you a competitive angle. Or just try to beat your top mark! I always get more motivated when I see I didn't match or beat my top score.

Even if you don't feel like doing anything that day do a little.

If you like the balance games use them as a reward after you finish.

Great tips! I never thought about using weights with Wii Fit! And my fiance and I try to beat each others score all the time, lol. She has me beat in a lot of the yoga poses. And yea, playing a little everyday really can't be stressed enough. A half hour of exercise isn't that long and (at least to me) a half hour of Wii Fit seems even shorter.

Original Post by mortalmonkey:

I use it as my home scale only. Not really interested in playing the game. Good tips though.

That's an expensive scale...

I love my Wii Fit and use it when I can, but haven't been able to do it everyday.  I also use the strength training and yoga the most, but I do love the step.  Thanks for the tips.

I love my Wii Fit too and "play" everyday. It is great fun and a good workout too. I manage to break a sweat and increase my heart rate every time I use it. I do almost all aerobics and yoga and find the yoga a real challenge. Thanks for posting your tips......I agree with all of them. I also use other forms of exercise, a stationary bike to get my heart rate up and free weights. The Wii is my reward after I get off the bike! My husband slso uses the Wii Fit and we engage in some friendly competition Thanks again for your tips.

Wonderful tips!  I love my Wii Fit too, but haven't been playing on it as much as I could.  I love the step and jogging, it does wonders for my ego to be told how good I am as I am jogging around...! I am going to take heed of the tips and try some more "hard core" exercises!  Thanks again. 

Thanks for all the tips Joe!

I feel the need to slightly disagree with your take on the balance games though.  I am sore from a traditional workout I did that involved squats and lunges.  Last night I went to play some of the balance games and had a hard time of it because it turned out I was using a lot of the same muscles I used for my squats and lunges.  OUCH!!  For a person who doesn't exercise much (or at all) the balance games might be a good way to start to work those muscles to be able to build up to the lunges and squats in the strength training section.  Eh...just my 2 cents.

I do love my Fit though and it is becoming a family thing in my house.  Thank goodness!!! 

i've never tried this game. infact, i don't even own a nintendo wii.

but, my boyfriend does.. maybe i'll make him buy me the game ;)