Released in 2006, the Nintendo Wii was the first mainstream console for a new generation of home gaming technology. The Wii silenced much of the criticism placed on video gaming -- that it encouraged an unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle for its users -- by creating motion-sensitive controllers that allowed games to be completely interactive. Seeing its potential, Nintendo has made a series of fitness and exercise games.
Wii Fit
The Wii Fit game's package includes a balance board. Wii Fit, and the more recent update Wii Fit Plus, both offer a wide range of exercises and allow the user to cater the workout session to whatever age or fitness level he wants. Wii Fit offers aerobics, strength training, yoga and balance games to work the core. Wii Fit Plus offers fun exercises like skateboarding.
Wii Sports
The Wii Sports package features bowling, baseball, golf, tennis and boxing. It was shown by a 2008 study conducted by the American Council on Exercise that playing these games is a poor substitute for the real thing in terms of calories burned, but it is better than the alternative sedentary lifestyle of watching TV or playing an inactive video game. Of the Wii Sports package, boxing was shown to be the best calorie burner with 216 for 30 minutes of play.
EA Sports Active
EA Sports Active is a game which offers features such as working out alongside a personal trainer, cardio runs, boxing and even biceps curls, with the help of an included resistance band. The game has spawned a follow-up, EA Sports Active 2, which includes heart rate monitors, online interactivity and more than 70 exercises and sports.
Dance Dance Revolution
Dance Dance Revolution, and its sequel, Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party 2, are both effective Wii games for burning off the calories. The games plays a variety of disco tunes from across the decades and the user dances to the steps on the screen by touching the pads on a dance mat. The Fit Sugar website reports that a 30-minute session of dancing will burn off more than 200 calories.
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