I just got this last night, as I was quite dubious as to whether or not it would be any good.  I've used it for a few hours now, and would like to share some of my thoughts on the system.

Firstly, the game actually makes a strong push to improve posture by fine tuning your center of gravity and balance.  To start with, the game measures your statistics; age, height, weight (built in scales), then calculates your BMI.  The system then allows you to set a safe goal.  It will not allow you to try and set unrealistic goals; ie 4lbs a week etc.  It bases your goal mostly on achieving or maintaining a healthy BMI.  I find this tool most useful, as your progress is presented as a graph, showing how close to your goal you are getting.  There are various other tools and tips included that help you, the system is acting as your own personal trainer.  Once you find out your WiiFit Age, you're mouth will probably hit the floor!  I was so surprised to find my WiiFit Age at 13 years higher than my actual age!

I've been quite skeptical so far when it comes to the advertisements I have seen for Wii Fit.  How could any of that be classed as exercise?  There is no way I could lose weight just by pretending to hit a soccer ball with my head or pretending to ski!  What the advertisements neglected to show you are all of the other various programs you can choose from.  WiiFit allows you to choose from tons of Yoga poses to perform and perfect, as well as many muscle strengthening exercises such as rowing squats or leg extensions.  Everyone has to start out on the Beginning level of difficulty, at the lowest number of reps.  The excellent thing about the system is that it makes sure to inform you if you are pushing yourself too hard in any particular pose or game.  The creators were very thorough in making safety a top priority when introducing players to the game.

All in all, I am actually quite impressed with the various workouts and games provided.  To keep you motivated, as you "earn" time on the game, you start to unlock more activities, poses, and games.  The Aerobic programs can be quite challenging, but they definitely get you moving and working up a sweat.  It tracks your progress in each activity so you can better your scores or get a bit comeptitive with friends or family.  You can easily go from one activity to another without much "down time", as the activities are great to be done 3 or 4 times, but will get a bit repetative after awhile.  There are plenty to choose from though, so its highly unlikely you'll get bored of the game anytime soon with several difficulty settings and activities to unlock!

Hardware wise, it was completely easy to set up, even if the balance board does weigh a ton!  With the balance board, it took a few tries to get it to sync up to the Wii, yet it did not take long to get it up and running.  The balance board seems to be quite sturdy, it does not shake or move about, as it has rubber grips on the feet.  The feet actually control the input of your center of gravity and balance into the game.  The non slip surface on the top holds well with just bare feet and with socks too.

I know I wont be able to give a decent review until I've had a few months with the game, but this is my initial impression of the system, and so far its completely insane and I can see myself using this daily instead of a gym trip!


I might use this thread to document my progress over the coming months, and to add to the review as necessary.  I am sure that my thoughts on the system will change the longer I use it.  I am currently 19 with a WiiFit Age of 32.  Embarrassing, but I am hoping this is my wakeup call, and it will be the thing that pushes me to become more fit!

Whoops, I meant to say something on this...just, I don't know what to say exactly..

I also want to ask a question though: if you want to show someone how it works real quick, do they HAVE TO import a Mii and set up a whole new file, or is it something like Brain Age and other games where they can just make a quick guest-character and play a couple games/activities to see what it's about..?  All I can think, is that if I ever wanted to show anyone what it's like, I'd have to go to the Mii channel, specifically make a Mii just for them(and risk insulting them with my design, or waste an hour letting them TRY to make their own), let them try it for like 5 minutes before they're bored, and end up having to delete the Mii once I realize they're not coming back to it ever again.  BUT if there was a guest-system, I could just as easily show them around a tiny bit without having to setup a special file just for them.

I'm asking because I know it complains if someone else gets on the board if another Mii is currently loaded, since the weight is different and all(and even if it wasn't, they'd screw up my progress in some way).

Huh, that's odd....I thought I remember one reviewer saying that when they stepped on the board while someone else's Mii was 'on' it, it "kindly asked them" to step off the board, or said something humorous about them being a different person....something like that.


Well shoot, that's way too much time to just casually show someone else what it's like, unless it really doesn't mind another person being on, and I didn't mind my stats spiking randomly.  *shrug*  Ahh well, thanks...

OK, a little update having spent some more time arsing around with it.
It turns out there is a Guest mode. One of the buttons on the Plaza menu is called Trial. It boots into a menu with 5 randomly generated Mii's of which you pick one, and can do a Body Test or some Training with. I assume in this mode it doesn't save the settings, but is ideal for friends coming over, or demoing to someone else. I think this is exactly what you meant, Magnus.