RSS
Twitter
Nintendo's Own Study Show Wii Not So Great As Exercise
from the honest-results! dept
There's been a little buzz around the news of a new study in the UK pointing out that playing games on the Nintendo Wii really isn't a particularly good substitute for real exercise, as some Wii-players would like to believe (and I'll admit that I'm guilty of playing some Wii boxing in lieu of real exercise). However, what may be even more interesting is the fact that the study was actually paid for by Nintendo. Perhaps we've just become so cynical about corporate "studies" like this in the past, that it's relatively shocking to find one paid for by a company that shows the opposite of what the company probably hoped to see -- and then to still see that study actually published somewhere.
Reader Comments
(Flattened / Threaded)
Common sense?
I don't know why people keep making a big issue out of the Wii in this way. Playing the Wii is clearly not a substitute for real exercise. However, it's definitely better exercise than 'normal' gaming.
So, it's a great health tool for people who would otherwise just sit around playing standard games or watching TV, not so good for people who use it instead of going to the gym or playing sports.
Common sense, I would have thought?
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re: Common sense?
Many have posted that "it's better than regular gaming", but for my wife, it's also better than regular exercise. She has a herniated disk and massive leg pain that 14 doctors have so far been unable to resolve over the last two years. Regular exercise of 15 minutes or more (even walking) just aggravates the problem leading to muscle weakness.
We got a Wii for our kids for Christmas and the activity level of the Wii Sports seems to be just about right. Strenuous enough for the muscles weakened from inactivity to get some very light repetitive movement, yet not so strong that it makes things worse. I would not see this as any substitute for "regular" exercise, but for anyone who hasn't exercised in years (or decades), it can certainly be a nice starting point.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re: Common sense?
you're oiifnsoimoiwne
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Dance-vous?
DDR is still a great way for people who like crappy music to get in shape.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re: Dance-vous?
DDR is still a great way for people who like crappy music to get in shape.
I was going to say the same thing.
Maybe Nintendo though is trying to convince people that the stand alone Wii is no substitute for exercise so people are more inclined to buy their Wii Fit board and programs, eh?
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
ITG FTW
Some DDR songs are good, but most aren't that great, and the charts are even worse. In The Groove does a much better job in both musical selection and the quality of the charts.
I used to play two or three times a week, but I hardly play anymore...my pants are suddenly much tighter around the waist.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re: Dance-vous?
There's always Stepmania to make your own songs.
Did anyone else notice that the second link is "study-wii-gaming-no-substitute-for-exercise-fatso"
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
"However, it's definitely better exercise than 'normal' gaming."
Or simply watching TV. Or using a computer. Or texting on a cell phone. Or any number of things kids "do" nowadays. (Using the verb "do" very loosely in this instance.)
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Just standing at an arcade machine is better exercise than most kids get these days. Not to mention the walk from the car into the mall...
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re:
Where can I find one of these so called "arcade machines" that you speak of. I thought they were pretty much extinct.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
I gave my family a Wii for Christmas. I think it all depends on how you play. If you sit your lazy butt on the couch and simply flick the remote with your wrist then you aren't really getting any good exercise. However, if you are standing and actively moving, swinging your arms, ducking and weaving then you can get some decent low impact exercise. It's all about how you use it.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Hmmm... why is this even a topic of discussion?
Of course the Wii isn't an exercise machine! Its a video game console. If you want to do real exercise, then go outside and do some work or go to the gym.
The bigger point is, the Wii is at least more involving physically then most other gaming activities. I've seen Wii systems being used in retirement communities. For them, the wii is a good way to getting them active and involved socially. I don't think you can say any of that is a bad thing.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Wii exercise
A friend of mine just brought up a good point about this. Nintendo could just be trying to debunk the idea that the Wii is a good source of exercise....at least as far Wii Sports is concerned.
They will then come back with an all out advertising blitz in Q1 when they release Wii Fit touting it's great exercise potential.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Not full exercise...
I gotta agree with comment #10. The physical activity involved with the Wii is fine for things like physical therapy or people who can't stand an all out gym workout (the disabled and/or elderly) but by no means is the Wii going to replace your current exercise routine.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Nintendo trying to market Wii for exercise?
Maybe Nintendo though is trying to convince people that the stand alone Wii is no substitute for exercise so people are more inclined to buy their Wii Fit board and programs, eh?
They will then come back with an all out advertising blitz in Q1 when they release Wii Fit touting it's great exercise potential.
Yeah, probably not. You may not have noticed, but they never touted that about the Wii in the first place--only other people said that. It would be silly and they know it. That's probably why they commissioned this study.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
It's pretty interesting watching Nintendo just do everything right over the last couple years. They seem to be determined to be the anti-Sony, and the strategy is working.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
uhmm.
actually i don't agree with you. i think that the wii can be great exercise for the elderly people because it really can help them exercise because they are moving their arms around so much it has to do something and as where they are weak it it's good that the wii doesn't have extra weight it's justgood exercise because you're moving them around so much but at the same time they are having fun i just really do believe that the wii is a good thing.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
knew it
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
i soooooo knew it
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
I like it but it should not be considred as exercise
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
I am writing an essay for school. A persausive essay. Do you guys mind if I use some of your words??
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re:
Nope
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
There are some good Wii exercise games
It's true the Wii is never going to replace regular running, biking, going to the gym or any other kind of "real" exercise, but on the other hand it's a great way to work out when the weather's bad or when you just are too mentally drained at the end of the day to get to a gym. Some games are better than others. Here's a link to a good list of Wii exercise games.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
The link...
Sorry, the link didn't come through. Here it is:
http://www.nutwiisystem.com/best-wii-exercise-games.html
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Add Your Comment