The Wii Vs PT

Wii Vs PT

Who would have thought since the launch of Asteroids and Commodore 64 in the 1980’s that we would one day be told how to exercise by a computer!

Well its has happened with the launch of The Wii, since it was launched the games market has been awash with brain training, sports programmes and interacting ipod’s and MP3 players.

Have a look at government statistics, The UK is Europe’s fattest and unhealthiest country with approximately 1 in 5 of adults in the UK being classed as obese with children’s ratio’s not that far behind.
How did we get to be a nation regarded as the American’s of Europe, simple we got lazy, we sit at our cars , desk’s and at home playing on computers or games consoles.

Sitting at home with your new Wii console and wobble board doing 20 minutes with a virtual trainer is not going to shift fat or get you fit.
The Wii reacts to your BMI (Body Mass Index) which you input, and most people do not know their correct height or exact weight to be able to do it properly. The only way to get rid of fat without surgery is to exercise and eat healthy. Body Mass Index (BMI) has been proven to be inaccurate but it is still the choice of the Government with regard to working out obesity levels.
The Wii also reacts to how much pressure you place on the board and your virtual trainer tells you to adjust your position/ weight on the board, so contraindications such as medical, physical range of motion conditions are not taken into account as would be with a properly qualified personal trainer.

A personal trainer will spend at least 30 minutes with you free on a consultation taking into account medical, physical, injuries, family history, they will conduct a personal fitness assessment and base your programme on all the information provided and your lifestyle, making sure that your programme is effective.
As a trainer and I’m not alone, I have been to potential clients houses and saw them within their home environment sitting on the sofa playing the Wii console beating a virtual boxing opponent, whilst watching TV and eating a big bag of quaver crisps, and they call this virtual fitness!

If the console is to be effective it has a long way to go, at the minute it should be treated for what it is a games console designed for fun and not FITNESS.





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