Getting Fit with wii?
In today’s day in age people are becoming lazier and more sedentary. It seems there is never enought time in the day to get everything done. Therefore staying healthy and in shape is put last on the priority list.
Many blame our current health, obesity status on the electronic world we live in. This can be seen in the younger generations as they are indoors more: playing video games, on the computer, etc. In lieu of enjoying the outdoors and playing games outside like previous generations.
In 2006, Nintendo released the gaming console, Wii. This takes video gaming to a whole new experience! Instead of sitting down players are standing. While playing you burn calories and can build up a good sweat.
The other day I came across an article weighing the pros and cons of Wii. Interesting to read the findings. I would summarize the findings of the article using the known saying “T0 each his own”. Wii is a great way to boost your fitness from the comfort of your in own home. Clearly playing Wii isn’t as physically challenging , therefore less effective than a workout at the gym. However, in this recession economy it’s a cheaper option and definitely better than not working out.
Here is the article I read:
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Eric Jaramillo said,
January 15, 2010 at 5:45 am
I agree on using the Wii as a tool to achieve fitness results. Coupling fitness with a video game is the best idea for the Gen X since the invention of the TV. Especially since this generation has been trained to spend countless hours in front of a TV. The introduction of an interactive gaming system that acts as an artificial babysitter has separated families and isolated children from their parents on an exponential level. It sometimes appears as if parents use video games as a timeout from their children. Let’s face it; It’s easier and safer than telling them to go out in the street, play and be an active kid. Therefore an improper diet and countless hours sitting in front of the TV might be a major environmental factor in the ever growing obesity problem our nation is facing. It would only be fitting if the technology that has steered us to a demise, turn things around and get us back on track to where we might better our quality of life.
I have had the fortune of starting my childhood prior to video games, so I can remember a time where going outside to play was the thing to do after homework. The second half of my adolescence saw the introduction of the Atari 6400, Sega, Genesis, Playstation and so on. Where I see that Wii separates itself is that the competition and simplicity now allows participation of any age. The family can now share in a competition of fitness and personal achievements. This seems to be paving the way to a re-unification of family’s and hopefully it will re-connect children to their parents so the old morals and values return. I, unfortunately, think we are ages away from turning this world around. It’s almost as if we are repeating history with our social irresponsibility but I’m too far off on a tangent so I will leave this topic for anyone else to pick it up from here.