Working out with Wii

[Lindsey]

Scott and I got a Wii for Christmas from his parents, and I have heard about Wii Fit so I really wanted to try it! WELL, the whole city is sold out! But I did pick up Your Shape with Jenny McCarthy. It's $68 here from Walmart (it would be cheaper in the US).

I love it! You don't need anything to stand on, you don't need to hold controllers, you don't need anything! It comes with a little camera that plugs into the Wii with a USB cord. You just set it wherever you want, and the program makes you stand in different poses to scan your body with the camera and it makes a 3d model of your body in the game You put in your height and weight, how active you've been in the past 6 months, and choose the parts of your body you want to work on. Then you can choose strengthen, tone, etc. the parts that need work.

In the game, there's a model of Jenny McCarthy doing the exercises and talking and encouraging you, and the camera shows you on the other half like a mirror so it's easy to match the actions. The camera detects your movements during the exercises and tells you when you're not bending enough, your arms aren't positioned right, etc. I did the three minute fitness level test and my heart was racing at the end!

It also sets up a calendar for you, with days marked to come back and do your next workout. You can also keep track of things you've done besides the program. You can set goals and it tells you the calories you've burned and tells you a percentage of how well you've performed at the end.

Besides just working out, there's also yoga for relaxation, but i haven't tried that yet. There's also a 3-week "Bikini Body" program which I'm going to start soon!

If any of you have Wii and want to start working out I'd recommend this game We're still getting a Wii Fit since we have other games that use the balance board too, but I really enjoy Your Shape! And the price isn't really that bad, considering what I've paid to go to the gym. And this way I don't have to go anywhere

[judy]

Linds, have you ever thought of writing as a career? Your explanation of this game, and your play by play of the hockey game were amazing! You are so clear and articulate. I now know pretty much how the J MCarthy Wii thing works, and so do not need to try it. I would never do it. It's too strenuous for me. You could do reviews or instructions as a side job!

[Lindsey]

Lol! Judy, I have always wanted to be a writer! But I'm too shy to do anything like being a journalist.

[DianaB]

You did explain the Your Shape very well!! My daughter has the Wii Fit and she's not impressed with it. She might like the Your Shape better though. It sounds very interesting!!! Good luck!!

[Lindsey]

Diana, that's interesting she wasn't impressed with Wii Fit. Do you know what it was she didn't like about it? I've never tried it.

I think we are going to start renting games here before we buy them, to make sure we like them first!

[paula1961]

I have seen the commercials on tv about this fitness program and saw Jenny on a morning show. She demonstrated a little bit of the workout routine. I actually told hubby a few days ago that I would like to buy a Wii just so I could get this program. I am glad you posted about it. I am out of shape so bad, not really over weight but really out of shape. In your opinion...do you think this program would work for a person of any age? And who really needs to start out like a beginner and gradually work their way up? I mean like real slow

[Lindsey]

Lol Paula I'm sure it would work for that too I did my first real workout last night... she had me marked for 45 minutes but I turned that down to 30 minutes. It wasn't really hard at all... the cardio got my blood pumping, but the rest was so easy I didn't really even feel a thing. There were a lot of bicep curls and stuff which really don't do a whole lot when you aren't holding weights But you can also add in any of your own stuff like balance balls, steps, or weights. It asks before you start the workout if you are using any of your own equipment, and I think it would then incorporate that into the workout as well.

It gives you a percentage of how well you did in the workout, and that number is used to decide what your next workout will be like. So it really adjusts to your level of fitness.

One thing I should say after yesterday's workout is that you do need a bit of space. It says you need about 2 meters between you and the camera, but I only have about 1.5.... So whenever I had to go down on the floor for situps or pushups, I had to run to the camera first and point it down.

[Janet]

We have the Wii fit and I didn't really like it either. It was just really hard and strenuous. I need something I can slowly work into and be able to breath...LOL, plus...you have to hold the controller and put this thing around your thigh.

[DianaB]

If I remember right, Amy said that it wasn't something that you can program to fit your needs. She told me to wait and see what they came out with next.

[Lindsey]

Thanks Diana. I've been keeping up with Your Shape and it does fit your needs well and you don't even need to program it, it just takes into consideration how well you perform in each area and adjusts your next workout to that. Last night I did a lower body workout and was so proud that I got 84% for the lower body portion and 97% core strength... and then Jenny McCarthy told me she thinks I would do well with a more intense workout and she'll keep that in mind for next time lol!

I'm sitting here watching Scott now, this is his first real workout and he's sweating like a pig. I've had to refill his water glass a few times already I think his next one is going to be a little less strenuous Hehehehe

[judy]

That must have been so funny! I hope he sticks with it!

Keep up the good work Linds!