The Wii Fit Plus was put on the market in 2009 as an updated version of the original Wii Fit which made an appearance in 2008. It was pretty hard not running right out and buying one as soon as they hit the shelves. After all I was getting ‘sucked’ in with all the hype from bloggers and the media.

The Wii Fit Plus gave me a reason to want to exercise. It doesn’t even seem like exercise because it’s fun and there are so many different activities to choose from providing a big enough variety that I don’t find myself bored.

Here’s a list of some of my favorite activities you’ll find in the aerobics category:

Hula Hoop
Rhythm boxing
Free Step
Basic Run

That’s just a few of the activities found under the aerobics category and doesn’t even include the other three categories – yoga, balance and strength training. I tend to do mostly the games found under the aerobics category because those are the ones that give me the best workout and help to burn the most calories.

The fact that I can have fun exercising is a huge plus. But the other thing I love about the Wii Fit Plus is that it weighs me and tracks my information for me. I can even set up a goal of how much weight I want to lose every couple of weeks.

A couple other cool features are the fact that I get to customize my own workout routines and can save it for future use. It also allows me to track my steps for the day and set up a goal of how many calories I want to burn.

There are lots of other features I like but I want to spend a few minutes talking about a few things I don’t like about it. The first thing I’ve noticed is that the balance board sometimes doesn’t register my movement. For example when I’m doing the free step it takes a few minutes to catch up and count my steps. Not a huge deal but definitely annoying.

The other thing I don’t like has to do with the step aerobics portion of the game. When I want to increase my intensity I want to step a lot faster than the game allows. Again this isn’t a huge thing but it too is annoying. They should give you the option to speed it up (they do give this option but it doesn’t speed up much) to a faster pace than they allow.

So over all I give it a 10 out of 10 and recommend it especially if you’re just getting started in an exercise program and want something easy, convenient and fun!

What is it about?

Designed around the standard Wii Remote/Nunchuck tethered controller configuration, EA SPORTS Active‘s interactive fitness program is more focused on physical activities than previous ‘fitness’ titles for the Wii, but still challenges you to have fun while developing a more healthy lifestyle. Separated into the three sections of workout, nutrition, lifestyle, and other activity, the user’s experience begins with a pep talk from Bob Greene which quickly transitions into the beginnings of action as players set up profiles, choose a virtual personal trainer and enter baseline data like age, weight, gender, fitness goals, etc. Although the nutrition, lifestyle, and other activity sections add a holistic element facilitated by a mix of surveys and data input, building fitness through physical activity is the driving force behind EA SPORTS Active and as such the meat of the content resides in the workout section. Here players will find dozens of themed strength training and cardio workouts which can be customized as you choose and linked into circuit training routines. These routines are introduced and monitored by your personal trainer, and allow for ongoing player motivation via real-time feedback on your workout form, an approximation of calories burned and the ability to adjust levels of exercise intensity.

Accessories
Although activity in EA SPORTS Active flows exclusively through the combination of the Wii Remote and Nunchuck controllers, it also utilizes a few additional accessories to maximize the functionality of this configuration. The first of these included with the game is the controller leg strap. By attaching this to their upper thigh and then slipping the Nunchuck controller into it, players can utilize the Nunchuck controller’s motion sensing capabilities while it is connected to the Wii Remote to monitor their leg movements. This allows for cardio exercises like jogging and cardio boxing and strength training activities like squats. Also included with the game is a resistance band designed to increase the intensity of a variety of exercises such as bicep curls and shoulder presses and lifts. In addition, although not included, the Wii Balance board is compatible with many EA SPORTS Active workouts, but only as an optional added controller configuration.

Key Game Features:

* Active Fitness Made Fun & Easy – 20 minute circuits feature a variety of familiar activities that target upper body, lower body as well as cardio. Start off with a light jog, followed by bicep curls and get your heart beating with some cardio boxing.
* Benefit of a Virtual Personal Trainer – Your trainer will be the focal point of the experience guiding you towards your own version of personal achievement. Feedback will be given throughout your workout, keeping you on track to reach your fitness goals.
* The 30 Day Challenge – Take the 30 Day Challenge and experience tailor made 20 minute workouts to your level of fitness. Circuits will change as you progress each day, and EA SPORTS Active will track calories, intensity and progress throughout your journey.
* New Way to Play – Slip the Nunchuk into the specially designed leg strap and hold the Wii Remote in your hand to track your movements from both your upper and lower body. A resistance band is also included to increase the intensity of exercises such as bicep curls and shoulder presses.
* Workout Your Way – Circuits can be customized to your interest and fitness level. Choose your duration, intensity level & set your own goals for calories burned and workout score.
* Workout with a Friend – Burn calories with a friend as you both workout through routines together in a co-operative mode.
* Track Your Progress – Expand your Fitness IQ and keep track of your workouts inside and outside of EA Sports Active with the in-game Journal.
* Wii Balance Board Compatibility – Get more out of your EA SPORTS Active workout using a Wii Balance Board with added functionality for many of exercises.

Co-op Multiplayer Mode
Along with its single player experience, EA SPORTS Active also features a deep and entertaining two-player cooperative gameplay mode. Designed to tap into the time tested motivational factor of having a workout buddy beside you as crunch through reps and up your personal best, regardless of a player’s current fitness levels or future fitness goals, this mode is sure to enhance the level of fun of players at all levels.

My thoughts:

When Wii Fit came out I was really excited and really enjoyed it, especially the yoga section but the intensity and Sports Drills from EA Sports Active challenged me way more. Doing the 30 Day Challenge on medium helped me get back into a routine. The easy is really for beginners, for people that do not exercise. You exercise 2 days in a row then one day off which you can see on a calendar. If you can’t make it one day it will automatically re-calculate the schedule and will not actually make you feel bad for missing one day unlike all the other Wii fitness games. So I decided to only use it on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays. It takes about 20-30mn to complete a session and if you don’t think it is enough, you can re-do the session. Personally I just use another Wii fitness game so that I exercise at least one hour a day, 5 days a week.

You don’t have to have the Wii Balance Board but if you do, some of the exercises will require it but you still get a really good workout without it and you don’t get to use it that often, so if you don’t want to invest into the Balance Board, don’t bother.

I was not too impressed with the resistance band for some of the exercises. The intensity for some the exercise was just lacking. A friend of mine said the same thing and told me she bought and use a proper resistance band. So without giving it too much thought, I went and bought one too but because of the thick handles I could not hold the resistance band and the Wii Remote and Nunchuck at the same time.

Overall, it is one of my favorite Wii Fitness game. I am not goign to say it is fun. I enjoy exercising and always feel great after exercising but I still don’t see it as “fun”. Easy to follow, a bit annoying when occasionally the “virtual personal trainer” thinks you have not done your rep properly, but as I said, it is only occasional.

The Nunchuck wire was sometimes in my way so I might have to consider a Wii Nunchuk Cord Free Wireless Adaptor.

What I also really like is that if you have a weak area or injury or simply don’t like an exercise, you are able to see all the exercises you will do in either 30-day challenge mode or pre-set mode and you can simply un-check the exercises you can’t do. I had to stop doing some of the jumping exercises as they were just killing my knees.

You are not stuck to just the 30 Day Challenge. There are plenty of other workouts to chose from and some of the workouts are about an hour long.   Because I am using other Wii Fitness games regularly – and always trying the newcomers -  I just did not get chance to try a single workout or even to exercise with somebody else.

I give it EA SPORTS Active a 9/10.

I highly recommend buying the second strap to workout with someone else. It’s a great addition not so much for the resistance band but you need the strap to fit the Nunchuck.

Also look out for EA Sports Active More Workouts for Nintendo Wii..

Keep going on your journey towards better health with EA SPORTS Active More Workouts, the next iteration from the EA SPORTS Active franchise, the proven fitness alternative for the Nintendo Wii. Stay motivated, with over 35 all new exercises and fitness activities that will challenge you and help you obtain results. With all-new cool down/warm up stations, abdominal exercises and a 6 Week Challenge EA SPORTS Active More Workouts is a full body, complete workout experience and a great addition to the EA SPORTS Active family.

Release Date: November 17, 2009

However, how about playing with video games to exercise and maintain good health? If you love playing with video games but also want to keep yourself fit, then you can do so with the Nintendo Wii video game system.

Nintendo developed this revolutionary video game system as well as games that are synonymous to good health.

In the past, video games were pictured as something that can lead to a sedentary and an unhealthy lifestyle. However, this is now changing thanks to Nintendo Wii. Video games can also promote good health and at the same time, you will be able to have a lot of fun doing so.

By combining the fun and excitement that you will be able to experience playing with video games with exercising the actual muscles required to play the games, you will really break a sweat playing video games and not just exercise your thumbs and hands.

Just imagine yourself participating in the championships in a tennis game. As you wipe off that sweat in your forehead and get ready to serve, the audience goes silent to await your powerful serve. It’s already championship point and all you need is one good serve. As you swing your arms towards the ball, you scored an ace and you win the championships and the crowd goes wild (just watch out for the furniture around though) And, all these things happened right at the comforts of your own home.

Nintendo Wii technology makes this possible as the controls are motion sensitive and it mimics your moves that you can see it on screen. The same goes for bowling games. What this means is that if you are a bad bowler or a bad tennis player, you may need to practice a bit. But, this is ok as this is the whole point of Nintendo Wii. You will be able to improve your gaming skills by improving the way you move.

There are also action games in Nintendo Wii which includes sword fighting and other fun and interactive games.

Nintendo Wii has released the Wii Fit and several other fitness games. This is a fun way to exercise and relieve stress. Wii fitness game will monitor your progress as you play them. They can improve your balance, hand to eye coordination, build muscles, and it can really work your heart with cardiovascular exercise games. For instance My Wii fitness Coach acts as your very own personal trainer…

Because of the high potential of the Nintendo Wii to promote exercise, many physical therapy facilities now have the Nintendo Wii console and Wii Fit add-ons to treat their patients. Nintendo Wii can help improve joint and muscle flexibility and it can provide you with a lot of fun doing so.

So, if you want to exercise and you also want to have a lot of fun doing so, you may want to try getting a Nintendo Wii. With this video game system and the video games it offers, you will be active and keep yourself fit and healthy while experiencing the fun and excitement of playing with video games.