My review of the Nintendo Wii Fit Balance Board.
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Introduction
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The Wii games console has of late been popular with a new audience; people who're not particularly bothered about playing or buying the latest games. People who're long past school age, and the cruel 'oh no I can't go on a date with this un-erupted volcano on my face' ravages of acne phase...Yes, you know that bunch of people I'm talking about; GROWN UP's (also known as adults) -lol!!

But why has the Wii suddenly ensnared a whole new untapped market, what witchcraft or alchemy have those clever devilish fiends at Nintendo used to brainwash an innocent, naïve public into parting with their hard earned pennies???

Well actually; NON!! - Nintendo just had an absolutely brilliant idea; why not make Wii console compatible software designed primarily to help people getting fit, exercise and dare I say it LOSING WEIGHT... and maybe have a little fun in the process? Why not indeed!

...(Not that I need any extra exercise of course - I can feel my muscles rippling as I'm typing this... it's just that I... erm... don't want to put a picture of myself on Dooyoo at the moment for fear of making women swoon and men envious of my perfect physique... suddenly my nose is starting grow longer for some reason!! :-)

What am I talking about; well it's a software program called Wii Fit (or Wii Fit Plus) that many of us (including me) have purchased to help them get in shape... There's just one incy wincy, teeny weenie problem...

The Wii Fit Plus software won't work unless you also buy a Wii Balance Board - and while the Wii Fit Software is available pretty much anywhere for a sub £20 price; the Wii Balance Board weighs in (sorry couldn't resist it!) at around 68lbs -sorry I mean £68!! So is it worth it? Here's what I think...


My Opinion/ Features
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The Wii Balance Board is a surprisingly heavy/sturdy (I have no idea how heavy because although the Wii Balance Board can weigh me, it can't weigh itself!! Ha take that Nintendo -lol!).

It really does look like it's going to last a while (though I've only just purchased mine so I'm only guessing by how it feels/looks). The colour is white -and the Balance Board is split into two halves -one side for your right foot, and one side for your left foot.

On the side of the Balance Board is an on/off type button (though it's a bit weirder than that -because on mine if you turn the Balance Board on - when the Wii Console instructs you to - another press doesn't turn it off), and on the underside is a battery compartment for 4 AA batteries (supplied) and a sync button (to sync the Balance Board wirelessly with the Wii Console -because the Balance Board is completely wireless in its operation). I intend to use rechargeable batteries in my Balance Board to save money.

Built into the Wii Balance Board are a number of sensors - so it can track how much you weigh (all use of the Balance Board is related to its functionality while the Wii Fit Plus software program is running) or even how much your pet or baby weighs!!

The sensors also track movement -the Balance Board knows (when running in conjunction with the Wii Fit software) whether you have one or two feet on the board, or if you're leaning slightly left or right; the board even knows if you're leaning forwards or backwards (from the way your weight is distributed across your feet).

It works flawlessly within the Wii Fit software -and makes it possible to do a range of exercises and exercise games. I was very impressed at how accurately it tracked my movements... and apparently the Balance Board will support people up to 23 stones in weight -so Nintendo must have some serious confidence in their product.

I do have a few criticisms too - you're not supposed to wear shoes or socks when using the Balance Board, which is ok but I think I'll be washing (very carefully not to get any moisture anywhere near any gaps in the plastic) the surface of my board a lot, as I don't like the idea of sweaty feet being on it -yuck -lol!

I don't like the fact that you can't jump on it - even though some of the calorie burning games/exercises in Wii Fit involve jumps, you' are warned in no uncertain terms by warning screens on your TV from the Wii console; not to jump on the Wii Balance Board.

'Jumps' on the Balance Board involve simply straightening your knees; hardly a substitute for the real thing!


My Verdict
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So given Wii Balance Board's £68 price tag (or you can get it bundled in with a Wii Console sometimes) or about £87 including the Wii Fit Plus software -is the Balance Board worth it...

With a few reservations (please see above) I'm giving the Balance Board a big(ish) thumbs up - there's just nothing like it on the market and it opens a whole new world of exercise up for anyone who wants it.

I believe that there are/will be some other software programs that make use of the Balance Board too -so there's a long shelf life ahead for this device...

I like the Wii Balance Board -though I'm not jumping for joy -because that would break it apparently -lol!!


Thank you so much for reading my review and I hope you found it interesting!!!

Best wishes,
Caveat-Emptor