Healthwatch

Wii Fit Has Gamers Breaking A Sweat

BALTIMORE (WJZ) ― Video game addicts no longer need to be couch potatoes.  Nintendo has just released the Wii Fit, which has gamers breaking a sweat.

Players tell Suzanne Collins the new video game is like having a personal trainer.

Soccer video games are nothing new.  But how about virtually becoming the goalie and doing headers to fend off goals?

"It's very interactive. It's a lot of fun and as time goes on you progress.   You can unlock different little workouts for yourself," said Robbie Baldwin with Best Buy.

There's also aerobic, dance and yoga exercises.  For serious muscle strength, there are exercises like pushups.  The Wii Fit tells you how you're doing.  It even catches you if you're fidgeting and warns about breathing and blood pressure.   When jogging, you are encouraged on by a physical trainer.

"Some days when it's raining I don't jog 'cause it throws me off balance. So this will definitely help out working on my legs and everything," said Brandon Jeter.

"You have the ability to run in a virtual world. It's kind of like you're on an island getaway and you're running around fellow people who are doing it on the Internet," said Baldwin.

Two million people bought the game when it was introduced in Japan.  The interactive foot pad and software sells for $90. 

The game industry sees it as a venture into a whole new fitness market and customers who never played video games before.

"I don't even play video games so I think it's pretty cool and I really like the way you can lose weight doing it.  I'm surprised I worked up a sweat," said Lee Pine.

To start players register their weight, age and do a balance test.

If you're a little bit out of shape, overweight or obese, the Wii will tell you.  The developers felt it was better for your health to be honest.

But if you become addicted to this video game, no one's likely to say you're slouching.  Even the Wii Fit will tell you "good job."

There was a line at the Best Buy in Bel Air Wednesday where they sold out of the Wii Fit within a half hour.

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