Platform: Wii
Publisher: Ubisoft
Price: $49.95
Rating: G
VERDICT 3/5

In contrast to the mini-games of Nintendo’s Wii Fit, My Fitness Coach has been designed to provide a fitness regime without the need for the Balance Board. With a single Wii Remote in hand, you can take part in a variety of exercises and evaluate your physical fitness.

This is more of a motivational tool than a game, as the presentation makes it more like watching an early morning aerobics show or workout DVD. In fact, don’t go looking for fun mini-games or activities to fool you into exercising, as this is purely about doing the workouts that virtual trainer Maya instructs – and it’s real exercise all the way.

First up, the user is asked to input information on their physical condition, such as weight and waist size (a process that will require you to have a tape measure handy). A few quick workouts are performed to test your heart rate and flexibility, and then a workout schedule is prescribed. You can customise the schedule if you think it’s a bit off the mark; and there’s the rub. It is down to the user to enter their progress honestly and use the built-in exercise tracker, as you’ll only get out what you put in.

Popularity: 65% [?]

Technorati Tags: nintendo wii fitness coach, wii, wii fitness coach

By Jeff Mullin, Senior Writer

I live with a nag.

No, not my bride. In fact she regularly gets nagged at too.

This nagger is not a she or a he, or even a thee, but a Wii.

Wiis are Nintendo systems that have turned senior citizens all across the nation into inveterate gamers.

Thanks to the system’s unique remote wireless controllers, bowling, tennis and even boxing have become regular competitive events for even those confined to wheelchairs or constrained by walkers.

Even my wife, who was decidedly not interested in video games before she bought me a Wii for Christmas, has gotten hooked on Wii bowling. She propels the virtual ball down the virtual lane with much the same motion she uses in real bowling, without the rented shoes, of course. For the record she regularly kicks my virtual butt.

It wasn’t long before we decided to branch out. We thus acquired a Wii fit, an exercise program involving a balance board that connects wirelessly to the base unit.

That’s when the nagging began.

After hitting the switch, you are prompted to step onto the balance board, upon which the infernal thing responds with a surprised and somewhat pained “ooh.”

In my case, the thing yells “one at a time, buddy,” and “tell your fat brother to get off.”

Each person using the Wii builds their own avatar, known as a Mii. Mine looks nothing like me. It has a full head of hair, for one thing. My wife’s, on the other hand, could fill in for her in any social setting. With her ever-present big smile, it is her electronic spitting image.

At any rate, when you first begin Wii fit you are Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 58% [?]

Technorati Tags: nintendo wii, Nintendo Wii Competitions, wii, wii fit