Really interesting article in The Times on whether Wii is getting gamers fit, or just giving them back and wrist ache.

There’s a good spread of views too. One personal trainer rubbishes Nintendo’s console, suggesting kids should get out into the real world with a tennis racket, not play Wii Sports. “The bottom line is that this is still a computer game. It still has a television set as a focus and, in that respect it still promotes a slothful, inactive lifestyle.”

However, the story also cites research from Liverpool John Moores University indicating that regularly playing Wii could lose you 27 pounds a year. Meanwhile, someone from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists has pointed out the dangers: kids wouldn’t play tennis for two hours, but they will play Wii – with resulting injury risks.

It’s great to see such heavyweight discussion of the pros and cons of Wii, fitness-wise. It’d be easy to sling mud at the grumpy personal trainer, but their basic point is true: Wii isn’t a substitute for playing real-world sports. I would argue with their reasoning though: it’s not supposed to be. The comparison, if you really want to make one, should be with playing other games consoles.

Let’s be honest: there’s a fair few couch potatoes out there who are going to use Wii’s potential health benefits as a way to convince their sceptical parents / other half to let them get one. I certainly did. Some of them may lose weight as a result of playing Wii Sports. Some will gain it due to lengthy Zelda sessions while munching on crisps.

That said, if thousands of consumers are thinking that buying a Wii will get them fit, it’s no surprise you still can’t buy one for love or money on the high street. Well, over a year, it’s certainly a helluva lot cheaper than a gym membership…

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 17th, 2007 at 2:42 pm by Stuart Dredge
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