What happens when you mix fitness and video games? An opportunity to do two things you enjoy at one time. If you’re tired of your usual routine, you can use Wii games to change it up, but don’t rely solely on them to lose weight or tone up. While they do get you moving, there’s one main reason it’s not exactly “exercise-worthy.”
Nearly every Wii fitness game is based on balance, putting an emphasis on core workouts. “According to experts, however, balance—especially the ability to stay poised on a board—rarely reflects actual fitness ability,” reports WebMD.com.
That doesn’t mean, however, that you can’t take advantage of this opportunity to be active at home. Here are some games that will help you get fit with your Wii.
Shaun White Snowboarding: Road Trip
This isn’t your average Wii exercise game, but it will give you a decent core workout. The only exercise element of the game is leaning from side to side, but you can make it a better workout when you do squats between turns, etc. Don’t forget to keep your core tight through each move.
Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum
You just might feel like this star trainer is in your living room yelling at you herself. The difference: you’re the only one who can push yourself through the challenging moves and workouts. With this one you can choose workout intensity, pace and type of workout—which range from strength training to intervals and hill climb. Your choices will dictate how much of a workout you get, so go hard if you want to have a good sweat session.
Zumba Fitness
With nine different dance styles to choose from, this game will keep you interested as you play. Again, the exercise benefits from this game are determined solely by how hard you work. Try it with friends or family to enjoy the group mentality that has made Zumba so popular and effective.
Your Shape
Actress Jenny McCarthy guides you through your workouts in this Wii game. What makes it even more unique is the body scan performed on your first workout. From here, you receive a full diagnosis of your body shape, fitness level, and preferences that you can add later. A training program is then designed around these specific characteristics, making it more effective at helping you target your own goals.
The Biggest Loser Challenge
Become a guest on the Biggest Loser ranch when you put this game in you Wii console. Whether you’re in the pool or the boxing ring, familiar faces from the popular reality show, like Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels, guide you through workouts offering encouragement and motivation to push through. Challenge games, over 100 workouts and form critiques make this one of the better exercise games.
