Is Wii Fit as Effective as Taking Group Exercise Classes or Hiring a Personal Trainer?

Posted by L. Marie Dubuque Jan 9, 2009

The other day when I was working out with Wii Fit, my "trainer" wasn't there. Instead a man took her place, saying my normal female guide wasn't available. I was a little taken aback. After all, How can a cartoon character not be available? Then I realized that the game was simply trying to vary things up for me. I don't know if it worked or not. I missed my regular girl coach, even though she talks a little too much. But then, so does the guy!

I used to belong to a gym, and took spinning, step and yoga classes. I weigh less now, since I quit the gym, and I am $100 a month richer. Besides having to endure bad music, sweaty people and rigid times, I ended up hurting my knee spinning. Now my knee is better, and with Wii Fit, if I don't want to do an exercise, I simply skip it. That's not really possible in a class (you draw attention to yourself) and I can stop after 30 minutes and start again later. One reader commented, that doing 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes at night really works for her. I might try that. Right now, I am doing 60 minutes all at once, and it is getting to be a little much.

As far, as whether the Wii Fit gets you as fit as a personal trainer would, I'm not sure. I have never worked with a coach. But I can see where a trainer could spot whether you are doing something wrong, whereas the Wii simply relies on how you're positioned on the balance board. I watch the demo of the exercise carefully before I start each new routine, and try and mimick the viritual trainer as well as I can. I certainly do feel my muscles.

I especially enjoy the yoga. I can custom-fit the poses to my own routine. For instance, I don't do anything I think might strain my knee. Today I tried the shoulder stand. I couldn't believe I could do it! Today I did almost every single yoga pose, and I feel like my arms are stronger than when I was lifting free weights.

I read where Jennifer Anniston does two hour yoga sessions several times a week, with a personal trainer of course! That makes me even more confident that Wii yoga is helping...But I just wish I could unlock some more poses. That plank is about to kill me!