Games console aims to 'improve fitness'

[Guest guest]

Games console aims to 'improve fitness'

By Jim

Newsbeat technology reporter

www.news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/technology/newsid_7351000/7351871.stm

Games consoles and fitness have never really mixed well.

Expensive gyms have tried to link running machines and bikes with

computer displays for years. Even Sony tried to cash in with an

easily forgotten Playstation game called Kinetic.

So Nintendo is taking a bit of a gamble with its new Wii add-on.

Wii Fit is a £70 set of plastic weighing scales. Four pressure

sensors in the " balance board " measure your centre of gravity and

body mass index.

Before you start training, the game lets you pick an instructor and

calculates your body mass index. You can set weight loss goals over

weeks or months.

Sharon Irvin, 28, has been testing the game for Newsbeat.

'Easy to use'

She said: " I've been trying to lose weight for 20 years. I've tried

diet classes, exercise classes and gyms. I'm looking for something

that will finally get me fit.

" Sometimes I just can't be bothered to go to the gym. I'd rather use

something like the Wii for 15 minutes every day rather than make the

decision to go training.

" Game consoles are so advanced these days, they can put people off.

But the Wii is easy to use.

" I thought I would get bored really quickly, but the games are well

designed so you keep progressing every day. "

Training is split into four main areas: aerobic exercise, muscle

conditioning, yoga and balance games.

In the step class, you jump on and off the board in time to the

background music.

Yoga forces you to bend your body into position while the board

measures your centre of gravity.

Less sporty, but more fun, are balance games like hula hooping and

snowboarding.

Other games don't use the board. One makes you jog on the spot with

the standard Wiimote stuffed in your pocket.

No replacement

Sharon reckons she worked up a sweat using the game. But she doesn't

think you can compare it to regular exercise.

She said: " It's more of an introduction to training for someone who

wouldn't normally go to the gym. You do run the risk of feeling you

have done your day's exercise after 15 minutes. "

Charlene Shoneye is the obesity dietician at the charity Weight

Concern. She said although it is likely to burn off more calories

than sitting down and playing a computer game, losing weight through

exercise alone is almost impossible.

" Unfortunately the amount we burn up through exercise isn't as much

as we think it is, " she said. " I doubt a game console in itself is

likely to have much of an effect on weight.

" One of the concerns we have is the name - Wii Fit. For some people

it may imply it has a dramatic effect on their fitness. I don't see

this replacing the more vigorous physical activity like sport or the

gym. "

Wii Fit beat records when it went on sale in Japan last year. Two

million sets have already been sold in Asia.

Gamers in Europe can get hold of the board from 25 April with North

America following on 19 May.