How can I get exercise with me Wii?

November 16, 2007 5:53 AM

Which Wii games are best for good aerobic exercise in single player mode?

I recently bought this game console. As winter is barreling down on us in the northeast and I'll be spending more time indoors, I'd like to take advantage of it to help me get some much needed exercise.

I'm looking for games that would be fun for an older fart, with the provision that they provide me some decent aerobic exercise. I'm enjoying Wii Sports, and sports games are okay in general, but I'd prefer something that offers a little adventure and thought stimulation as well.

And since our TV room is tight and my sweetie isn't into the whole video game thing anyway, I'd prefer something that will work for a single player.

Any ideas?

posted by SteveInMaine to Technology (26 answers total)

Wait a few months for WiiFit.

Also, there's always DDR, and I'm sure Guitar Hero can give you a workout if you get into it.
posted by jozxyqk at 6:02 AM on November 16, 2007 [1 favorite]

You might want to get the sports accessories (tennis racquet, golf club, base ball bat) to make the game feel more real and that might engage you more. I personally jump around like a fool regardless and am usually sore the next day after a good 1 or 2 hr session.
posted by doorsfan at 6:17 AM on November 16, 2007

You can actually just use WiiSports. Some guy on the internet actually put together his own WiiSports fitness program.
posted by absalom at 6:22 AM on November 16, 2007

Wii Sports is the best for fun exercise (assuming you stand up and play along, rather than sit on the sofa and flick your wrist)

Wiifit looks like its just going to be an interactive exercise video. Wii Sports is more fun because its main focus is the game rather than 'exercise'. I can't imagine wiifit being much more fun than any other exercise equipment or fitness videos.
posted by missmagenta at 6:27 AM on November 16, 2007

Personally, I work up the most sweat playing the baseball game in Wii Sports.

I suspect DDR would probably be the best bet all around.
posted by briank at 6:36 AM on November 16, 2007

The boxing game in WiiSports is always exhausting. I (and anyone I end up playing with) always breaks out a good sweat.
posted by tundro at 6:37 AM on November 16, 2007

Boxing in WiiSports is great. Also, The Bigs - a baseball game - is a good way to work up a sweat, because to run faster around the bases, you have to drum the remote and nunchuck very quickly.
posted by sjuhawk31 at 6:45 AM on November 16, 2007

Wiisports is good, add some wrist weights and you'll be getting a good workout.
posted by imjosh at 7:05 AM on November 16, 2007

WarioWare: Smooth Moves can sometimes get my heart going, just from the sheer speed. It's hit or miss - you go from furious hulahooping to standing there balancing the controller on your hand for a few seconds. And also, the first time you play each level you have to wait for some animated story. But after that, the fun songs (and discodancing animated cats!) make it easy to get really into.

(And nthing the boxing game in WiiSports, but make sure to balance left and right punches - my boyfriend develped noticeably different sized biceps while punching mostly with his dominant arm)
posted by twoporedomain at 7:13 AM on November 16, 2007

Here is a 10 week Wiisports fitness program. Good luck.
posted by ND¢ at 7:44 AM on November 16, 2007 [5 favorites]

Konami released a Dance Dance Revolution title for the Wii. I haven't played the Wii Version, because it isn't released in Germany yet.
But I don't think there are any differences too older versions (besides you can use your hands now, feat. the wiimote).
posted by donut at 7:47 AM on November 16, 2007

I don't know that it's the best workout game, but 2nding WarioWare. It has to be seen to be believed. Most fun I've had on this round of consoles.
posted by yerfatma at 7:50 AM on November 16, 2007

Wii sports, especially boxing.
posted by Mr. Gunn at 8:36 AM on November 16, 2007

Boxing. Boxing & wiisports.
posted by cashman at 8:40 AM on November 16, 2007

WarioWare is more strenuous than you'd think, I agree. Although part of that is mental. Quick! Roast that piece of meat! Quick! Use the hoola hoop!

Boxing on WiiSports is also good - I'm tired after just one match. I suspect if I played it for half an hour I'd get a good workout right there.

I'm looking forward to WiiFit, myself.
posted by DrGirlfriend at 8:55 AM on November 16, 2007

DDR, hands down. Too bad the version for the Wii sucks.
posted by mphuie at 9:09 AM on November 16, 2007

Dance Dance Revolution for the Wii does not suck. And it is a good workout. Maybe it's because I've never played another version of DDR, but I love it. So does my wife. We've had it for a month and we play it together nearly every night. (You need an extra mat to do this.) It provides an awesome aerobic workout.

That Gamespot review is bizarre. The reviewer complains about the "gimmicks" without mentioning that it's easy to turn the gimmicks off. Don't want silly things going on in battle mode? Then don't use that option. My wife and I turn off the hand controls and the gimmicks and just dance. It's a blast.

Some of the Wii Sports games can give a workout (especially boxing), but they really don't compare to DDR. Also, Guitar Hero works out your fingers. Not very aerobic.
posted by jdroth at 9:25 AM on November 16, 2007

Oh brother. I just re-read that Gamespot review of DDR. That's the same review that says in "groove circuit" mode you end up dancing to the same songs over and over. WTF? If you choose to do so, that's what happens. I give that review a 5.5.
posted by jdroth at 9:29 AM on November 16, 2007

I play wii sports while on a balancing board (like this one).

It doesn't add any extra aerobic elements, but it does help me concentrate and focus my movements, making them more efficient.
posted by crickets at 10:38 AM on November 16, 2007

Specifically, on WiiSports, try the fitness and training challenges. They mix up the games and their associated minigames into a diverse challenge.
Sure to get your blood pumping.
posted by blastrid at 11:07 AM on November 16, 2007

Rayman Raving Rabids gave me some very sore arms.
posted by subtle_squid at 12:00 PM on November 16, 2007

My wife loved DDR for a while and used it as a supplemental workout when weather got too crappy for bike commuting. This was on the Xbox, but if the Wii version is similar it's quite fun, especially if you like bad/obscure music.
posted by Pantengliopoli at 3:01 PM on November 16, 2007

Nthing Warrior Ware. I can't help but dancing like maniac every moment of play time. The game seriously wears me out, in a good way.
posted by honeyx at 5:58 PM on November 16, 2007

And of course I mean WarioWare.
posted by honeyx at 5:59 PM on November 16, 2007

Response by poster: Color me shocked! Not that there's anything wrong with Wii Sports, but I thought by now somebody would have seized the opportunity to come out with a more unique use of the console.

I will definitely check out WarioWare and maybe DDR.

Thanks for the suggestions!
posted by SteveInMaine at 4:02 AM on November 17, 2007

I have the DDR for the Wii, and it's a ton of fun. Yes, it's not the best it could have been, but it's still damn fun. The music is also pretty good, I recognize way more songs than I did on the older version I had for the xbox.
posted by cschneid at 7:19 AM on November 18, 2007