Wii fit.. is it worth it?

[CinRell]

Have any of you actually lost weight from using the Wii fit plus?
The prices seem to have gone down and I'm wondering if it's really worth it. I recently got engaged and want to lose weight, and have already started a healthy eating plan. I am awful at sticking to exercising but think maybe I could stick to the wii fit. But the reviews I read are split. Many say it doesn't help in weight loss. Any experiences here?

 

[Diegosmom]

curious on this too...thinking about getting a Wii but afraid I will quite using it...about 8 years ago got a xbox with the dance pad and used it for a while but then got bored. Thinking will all the options on Wii I might not but we dont even have a Wii yet so it would be a bigger expense.

Also anyone know any deals?

 

[Disneefun]

My thoughts:

1. Like any workout program, you have to stick to it and do it regularly for it to do anything.

2. It's not the highest level workout out there, certainly. It's not going to push you as hard as a 5 mile run, or a 30 day shred Jillian tape, or anything like that. There are a lot of pauses between exercises and most of the exercises aren't that hard. But that's not necessarily a bad thing, depending on your fitness level.

3. It is fun. I like to play and try to beat prior scores. That in itself I find motivating keep working.

4. If you've been sedentary to this point (or have any physical challenges), it's a great, gentle way to get in some movement every day. It can be a good jumping off point for getting started and eventually moving up to other things.

I use it, but not as my sole workout. I have other, more challenging wii games like EA active and some workout DVD's and I like to mix it up. I also walk or ride my bike outside some days, weather permitting. I use the wii fit plus on days when I'm not feeling that great, or on days when I don't do a harder workout but still want to get up and move a little bit. And, sometimes I get on it just to play and have fun.

I'm not sure you could lose a lot of weight just with the wii fit plus, but it can be a great way to get into exercising and to get a little more movement into every day.

I would also add that there is a new game out called "Exerbeat." I find it a little more challenging than wii fit, but it has the same sort of variety of exercises. It will use the balance board if you ahve one, but you don't have to have it. It's cheap, at $20. If the budget can stretch that far, I might buy the wii fit and toss in exerbeat for a little more variety.

 

[CinRell]

Thank you!! I will try that game.. I don't have the balance board.... but if the game doesn't require that, it might be a great start. I have jillians 30 day shred. I should try it... LOL.. I'm just AWFUL at motivating to exercise.

diegosmom... I was hesitant to get a wii too but LOVE it. I got a great deal with 4 games..... the system, etc was about $170. I think it was on buy.com... while i don't see that deal they still have great deals.

If you aren't in a hurry wait a bit. They are coming out with a wii 2 which should drive prices down more.

 

[TnTWalter]

just dance 2 and it's fun. There's a cardio mode. I also think boxing is challenging from the wii sports that came with the wii. But it's hard to do it for more than 10 minutes. We have wii fit and it's ok. Wii sports resort is also ok. But really, just dance 2 is best. Haven't tried any of the cardio ones though.


With weather nice, go outside and WALK briskly. Work your way up to jogging. Or get a jump rope.

 

[wtrmlnlabs]

I lost 25 lbs with it and diet changes. I love it. After about a year it did seem to be a bit boring, I wanted something more intense. I found new uu yoga and pilates just what I need. Love it too. I hate to sweat so most workouts don't work for me. It's amazing howhow much of a workout yoga really is.. and I find it enjoyable and relaxing too

 

[mom2cookies]

Ive been doing it fairly consistantly since january. Along with a change in diet ( but not on a diet) i have lost 15 lbs. I cannot do high intensity bc of my back so this has helped my metabolism pick up. I can see though i'm ready for something more intense. Right now i get the most from expert boxing routine.
It definitely has helped me!

 

[JamesMom]

WiiFit is a great entry level fitness tool, but after a few months of consistent use you will want more of a challenge. The most challenging exercise burns at most 5 calories a minute (with my stats) while I can burn 10 calories a minute on the eliptical or jogging. But if you are starting from the couch or simply want to get your 30 minutes of general exercise in, it's great. But to loss weight over a long period of time, you'll need something more.
I started my latest weight loss program in January and have lost 42 pounds and can now run 2 miles straight. WiiFit is too easy for me to get a "good" workout; however, I do still use it to have fun with the kids who love it and track my weight over time as it stores your information for as long as you have it (with a password, if you desire).
If you are looking a Wii game that will make you sweat while having a good time, I recommend the Just Dance series.

 

[v.t.]

just dance 2 and it's fun. There's a cardio mode. I also think boxing is challenging from the wii sports that came with the wii. But it's hard to do it for more than 10 minutes. We have wii fit and it's ok. Wii sports resort is also ok. But really, just dance 2 is best. Haven't tried any of the cardio ones though.

You won't get a great work out from wii fit, but it is good for balance and stretching. Now just dance and just dance 2, you can burn some calories.

 

[figment3258]

Here are my two cents

We bought wii fit a year ago and yes when we were trying to loose weight it helped but I think it's more like a 100$ scale.

This year my dh xbox died so I bought the bundle with knect.and let me tell u it is such a great work out. Just playing the sport games we sweat. We also bought a dance game and love it. It's great not having to worry about a controller going through our brand new tv.

 

[hsmamato2]

I love my wii fit with board and both just dance titles.....all good exercise when the weather is too ugly for walking outside..... and they're way more fun than regular exercise video stuff...

 

[eyor44]

I bought it and love it. I mainly walk at a track, but it's great to have something to do when the weather is bad and I can't get out. It has helped me with balance, something I desperately needed.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I think the workout programs available for XBox 360 with Kinect are a lot better.

 

[lucyem]

I started out using wii fit and it helped me to loose weight - along with eating better I have a mini trampoline and would jog in place on it when "running" on the wii fit. It made it more fun and burned more calories. Last fall I bought a new game call Walk It Out for the wii. The more you walk in place the more points you earn and the more areas you can open on the island, more music you can play and build more buildings. I walk/jog on my mini trampoline. It is a lot of fun and I have kept up with that much better. In my case I have bad knees/ankles so the trampoline is great because of the low impact. 15 pounds down

 

[RooRach0906]

Here are my two cents

We bought wii fit a year ago and yes when we were trying to loose weight it helped but I think it's more like a 100$ scale.

This year my dh xbox died so I bought the bundle with knect.and let me tell u it is such a great work out. Just playing the sport games we sweat. We also bought a dance game and love it. It's great not having to worry about a controller going through our brand new tv.

Just curious but which Dance game did you get?? We have the Kinect too and I really would like a dance game to exercise and lose some weight.

OP~ I have the original Wii Fit and I really like it but it didnt help me lose weight I did it everyday for a month when I first got it for 30min -1hr each day. At the time I was only about 20 pounds overweight if that, just to give you an idea. I also have a DDR game that was a better work out. I also agree with a PP who said you would get a better work out with the boxing in the Wii Sports I found that to be true. I also agree with a PPs who said you get a better workout with the XBox Kinect. or the Wii Dance games. Best of luck to you!

 

[SDSorority]

I haven't lost weight on it, but it sure is fun! I even got my 70-some old father to participate . If you get it, you won't be disappointed in the fun factor!!

 

[*Seanaci*]

We bought the WiiFit for xmas back in 2009. Used it for maybe a year...and now the balance board is sitting under a bed.

Personally...I woulnd't waste your money on it. Pick up a workout DVD and turn that on every day. I prefer Leslie Sansome's Walk at Home DVD line...super easy...and I've lost 5 pounds in the few weeks I've been walking a daily mile in my living room.