Get fit in your own living room (active: Personal Trainer (Wii))

Member Name: Ghumphrey

Product:	active: Personal Trainer (Wii)
Date:	09/08/09 (121 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good workouts and cheaper than a gym

Disadvantages: leg strap could be better quality and personal trainer can be annoying

Wii Active

I have been toying with the idea of getting wii fit for a few months now and before I decided to buy I decided to read a few reviews. It was during this searching for reviews stage that I stumbled across the wii active. The reviews for the wii active where much more positive that then wii fit so I decide to opt for the wii active. I was also swayed by the fact my local toy store was selling the wii active for £35 where as the wii fit was £60.

What is the wii active?

The wii active is a video game developed by EA sports. It was released in May of 2009. Basically it turns the wii console into a personal trainer. The item comes with a leg strap which is used to house the controller throughout various exercises. The game also makes use of a resistance strap to help tone muscles. This is also included in the box.

Exercises

There are really two options when it comes to exercises. You can follow the 30 day workout where you follow a set exercise regime over a 30 day period. In this you work out five days a week for about 30 mins each time. The exercises are designed to gradually push you each day.

Alternatively you can design your own workout routine by selecting a number of exercises to suit your needs or time requirements. Here you can also select the intensity of the workout you want.

My opinion

I have the wii fit not for almost three weeks and I have to say I'm really glad I bought it. I work in an office and am seated most of the day so knew I needed to do something to get me more active. The wii fit is perfect for what I wanted. I have got into a routine of coming home and doing my exercises before dinner and already I can see and feel the results. Generally the exercises may consists of a number of squats, running on the spot, lunges, boxing, resistance strap exercises, tennis and many more.

The game is set up with a computerised image of yourself on the screen (this is done by setting up a fitness profile. Each game can store up to six profiles). In the corner there is a personal trainer which can either be male or female. They guide you through the exercises and give encouragement or tell you if you're not putting enough effort in. The top left of the screen also has a calorie counter which records how much you burn off in an exercise routine. The wii records all the data and you can either set goals and try and achieve them or just track your progress.

I was amazed at how much the exercises have pushed me and the results that I am already starting to notice. For one my legs are toning up nicely and I have a lot more energy throughout the day. The fact that the workout can be done in the comfort of your own living room is great as you don't have to go anywhere so you don't have the off putting thoughts of going out in the cold or wet during the winter.
On the downside I have noticed the leg strap is not built to a great standard and I cannot see it lasting another month. I have tried the workout with just putting the controller in my pocket and it has worked pretty much the same. Completing the exercises is very dependant on the position of the controllers and sometimes the wii doesn't recognise the position. This can be really frustrating as you may be a stretched position doing the exercise only for the personal trainer to tell you that you're not doing it right and the exercise wont progress until you go back and try to do it again. Some exercises are worse for this than others.

Overall it's been a really worth while by and Id highly recommend it to anyone of any ability.

Summary: Get fit and have fun doing it!