Don’t get us wrong – as Nintendo’s first attempt at making exercise in the home an entertaining experience, Wii Fit has been a revelation. For all the millions of people who will forget it even existed after a few weeks, we’re sure there’ll be many, many more that will benefit from the Balance Board’s motivational charms.
That said, however, we still have grievances with Wii Fit; stuff that we’d love to see Nintendo change in any follow-up efforts, from ditching the BMI to banning user-made videos. Head below for our five choices, and let us know if you agree, by tip-tapping a response in the comments section.
Warm-ups and Warm-downs
Anyone who knows their beans when it comes to exercise will tell you that warming up beforehand and warming down afterwards, are as fundamental a part of the process as the activity itself. Given that, it's surprising that Wii Fit features neither. Of course, you're able piece together your own routine as a replacement (yoga stretches, for example), but we're sure making warming up and down essential for players is something Nintendo'll want to make a proper part of any sequel. It’d certainly save a lot of aching limbs, that’s for sure.
Custom Exercises
Building upon the previous point, the ability to users to build their own exercise routines, tailored to their own needs, is something notably lacking in Wii Fit. Not only would it benefit players more, but it would also help make the experience more seamless; not forcing players to have to return to the main menu each time they want to choose a new exercise (some of which are very brief indeed), their heart rate dropping and the sweat beads drying all the while.
Unlocking content = no
Having to work at a game to unlock all of its features is a staple of many titles, and for many it works as a (somewhat cynical) way of making sure players continue to plug away at it to see what’s around the corner. However, for Wii Fit, where the incentive to exercise should be the size of a player's gut or to tone up, and where users start at different levels of physical health, having to fill the Fit Piggy just to unlock extra and more difficult activities is unnecessary.
Ditch the reliance on Body Mass Index
..Or at least compliment it with the option for players to accurately input their body size and shape. BMI's shortcomings as an accurate measurement in the assessment of an individual's health have been well highlighted in the past couple of weeks (most notably by the "obese" little girl palaver). It might be one of the simplest ways to get players started quickly, but for those who want to take exercise matters seriously, it certainly isn't the best.
Ban ghastly Wii Fit YouTube videos
It might make a lot of people feel better about themselves, but stumbling across footage of severely obese children, clueless grannies and half naked, thong-wearing didn't half put us off our lunch. Ta.
46 comments:
I don't agree about unlockable content. I like that when I unlock an excercise I can usually manage to do it.
But I heartily agree about the excercise groups. I'd love to do an upper body day, then a lower body day.
I'd also add a larger pool of trainer comments, and once you've unlocked all the different moves/excercises, being able to work out in different places than the studio, I'm thinking beach, cliffs, lagoon, etc.
How about a celebrity version? I'm thinking Chuck Norris, Denise Austin, and Billy Banks (the Tae Bo guy). Having a bunch of different trainers could be fun.
Definitely agree on the create your own program...that should cover the warm up/warm down issue partially.
I sort of agree with Anonymous in the fact that unlocking content helps keep the person motivated since they will probably try more exercises that are "harder" for them instead of picking and choosing ones that they like or are easy for them.
That being said, once a new activity has been unlocked, have it for EVERYONE. I think it's stupid that once I unlock something, I can't tell my bf to try it since he hasn't unlocked it yet. Once someone unlocks something it should be for everyone.
Different locations would be nice as well.
Thanks for commenting, guys.
The success of Wii Fit means that some sort of sequel by Nintendo is almost inevitable, so here's hoping they take on board user feedback like ours.
Hope you're enjoying the site, thanks for reading. =)
I don't agree with the unlockable content. I think it is a way of stopping people going too far.
For example, lets say you were over weight and just quit smoking and you go to a gym. You glance at the Spinning class and want to go in. No personal trainer in their right mind would let this specific individual in a spinning class. they would probably advise them to do easier exercises first. So I think the lockable content has that in mind.
And for those with Wii Fit as you've seen it doesn't take a lot of work to unlock the other exercises. I've had mine 4 days and already unlocked 4 new strength, 2 balance and 3 aerobic exercises as well as different skill levels in the ones already open.
I also enjoy unlocking things in Wii Fit. I think it keeps the game challenging.
My biggest complaint is that I feel I am at my ideal weight. I am 6'5, and about 202 lbs. I don't really want to lose any weight, though I would like to lower my BMI which is currently at around 23 - 24 (normal/healthy).
The wii helper has suggested that I try to get to a BMI of 22, but when I input that as my goal, it has me losing well over 20 lbs!!! I don't want to lose that much.
I think they should not tie the two together, and make it easier for people who are healthy, and enjoy exercising to maintain.
i like having the chance to unlock things but i think that they should make a heart rate attachment..they should have a part to go to the trainer to see what u need to do.... are to show u if you are doing it wrong.... having a planner to keep track of your work outs what u did...i would also like to be able to run and do alot with my family so it would be cool to have more multi people playing in challenges...or they could have a part to put in what u eat by carbs
Worst thing I have seen so far is that some of the muscle routines are way too fast - this encourages poor and potentially damaging technique and actually reduces the benefit of the exercise.
I don't think warm ups/warm downs are necessary for the Wii fit.
I would like to see a "next" button after completing exercises (e.g. yoga or strength). When I've done one yoga pose, for example, I can go back or repeat. I'd like to see a next button so that I can just continue seamlessly on to the next pose. It's my pet peeve to have to go "back" then choose the next one in the series.
For those who don't want to do all the poses, they should be able to choose their preferred sequence.
I also like the idea of being able to program workouts that focus on upper or lower body, abs, back, etc.
I would also like to see less use of the Wii-mote. Doing a yoga pose with it hanging around your head is annoying, as is having to place it somewhere that is near enough to reach it after every exercise. I don't have pockets in my workout clothes...
I absolutely love wii fit...
my recommendations for wii-fit2 are:
1: an "oops" option when i've accidentally selected to start a session when i really wanted to quit
2: when linking different types together, don't make me go and hunt the other one down, let me choose it right there.
3: different locations to do the training would keep it exciting, with each location offering options such as trainers, conditions, and ambient sounds.. all tailored for the location (perhaps this could be packaged and sold with different locations sets on different CD's)
4: more more more games... again, perhaps these could be packaged and sold as add-ons on different CD's
Wii-fit2 SHOULD be expandable so one could then purchase additional CD's to expand the base software experience.
Additional Trainer/location expansion CD's, and game/excercise expansion CD's, is something I would definitely invest in... as someone with a bit of a collector's bug, I would probably end up buying every single expansion CD they published!!
While I'm a fan of the female trainer, it would be interesting to have some thematic characters too, perhaps a military drill instructor, Mario, Mrs Universe, etc.
I do like Unlockables, I just wish there were more of them and it was clear what you had to accomplish to get them. I think that would be a good motivator.
BMI has to go, it's a joke. Unless there is a way to decipher muscle from fat (perhaps excercise ability) BMI has to go.
I'd like to see some on line competetion. I think it would be fun to send a pushup challenge similar to how Mario Kart does ghost races.
I think it would be great to have more games involved too. There is no reason that strength training couldn't be funny and entertaining minigames that are fun to play and you can challenge (on-line) friends with.
In the mean time, let's see Marble Drop as a WiiWare title with lots of levels.
I like Wii Fit all around to be honest. Although the lack of games and such kind of bothers me especially since it doesn't take long to unlock all of them and it kind of gets boring after that and it'd be nice if more than one person can play at a time. I know theres 2 player jogging where two people can jog together but still...
1. there needs to be MUCH less down time. You have commit 2 hours of your day to get in 1 hour of excercise. The motivational interlude are nice but you should be able to turn them off after awhile.
2. More exercises that combine the fit board and the hand controllers
3. My favourite is the boxing but there is too much doen time while you watch the guy demonstrate, so you don't even break a sweat.
4. you should be able to set the strenght to repeat sets not just reps.
1) internet link up with family and friends so you can compare if you are both overweight to see how you all are doing
2) multiplayer so a "family" can go on a jog *AND* for it to keep record of all participants scores
3) motivational characters such as drill instructors and even bikini babe instructors or hunky dudes for the horny among us :)
My favorite exercise on wii fit is the step aerobics. I think there should be faster and longer routines. The ones they have now never give me a good work out and I wind up doing the free step. I think the free step should have some type of music to play in the background instead of watching tv while you exercise.
I'd love to see a heart rate monitor attachment so that you could see if you're exercising at the right rate, and get some really valuable feedback about what you're doing for your health.
how about puting some real looking trainers in there...
I would love for Wii Fit to have a more contentious yoga workout without having to go back and pick another pose. I just want to keep going one pose after another. Not waste a lot of time clicking around.
My second grip is I love the step aerobics but the advance in not advanced enough for me. I would love for the advance to go a bit longer. Maybe 30 minutes of advance step aerobics. And maybe make it go a bit faster or at least be able to choose to make it go faster.
I love the Wii Fit. I have lost 25 pounds on it so far. I want it to advance more as I am getting better at it and want more of a challenge.
Shannon
I forgot to say I would love it to have to Wii boards at the same time. So my husband and I can do the yoga poses at the same time.
1. I'd like to be able to play online with friends and family
2. Please get rid of the BMI... it doesn't make any sense!
3. I'd like to be able to select all the activities I want to do in the begin of my workout and then let it run continuously
4. Less talking from the trainer after each activity.
5. Possibly create different types of discs... One that has all four categories, and then one per category. This way if I buy a disc for just yoga, I'll get 4 times the amount of yoga poses then I would with a disc that is divided amongst all categories.
6. Multiple balance boards would be great.
7. I love the unlockables... They keep me motivated. Please keep them.
Not sure if this is already made but I haven't been able to find it: Please make an accessory that will raise the board to different height levels for the step aerobics.
Also, I'd like to be able to choose the speed, length of time, and music for the aerobics.
Being able to use two boards for the aerobics would be GREAT.
Agreeing with most previous comments, I would stress the need for two player activity where a character switch would be available while in a play menu.
1. The running stuff is brilliant. I want to see more locales besides the Island. I want to run through Paris, or Central Park. They could sell a disc of nothing but new running locales, and I'd happily buy it.
2. Incorporate weights. For certain exercises -- squats, curls, shoulder presses, etc. -- actual weights could be easily added to make an awesome workout.
3. Provide warm-up / cool-down, but make it optional. Some of us use Wii as part of a broader fitness program. Don't force me into a particular pattern of use, please.
4. Take the boxing from Wii Sports and roll it directly into Wii Fit. I get *way* more of a workout with the Wii Sports Boxing than I do with the shadowboxing in the Wii Fit.
I think it would be nice to have some kind of speedometer during the running challenges. It would make me want to run faster if I see that the harder I work, the higher the number on the screen is.
Also, not everyone has pockets in their workout clothes - actually most women's workout clothes don't have pockets - and the running workout doesn't seem to work as well if you are holding the remote.
I think a lot of the ideas posted here are great and Nintendo would be smart to take these comments into consideration for the next Wii Fit release (hopefully soon!).
I liked the ability to unlock as i progressed and having no unlocked everything (at least I think everything) it isn't the same.
I totally agree with being able to plan a routine, I hate constantly returning to the main menu to pick something else to do. It wastes a lot of time, which for most of us is precious.
I would like to see additional step routines, I am a step fan and am now rather bored with the same old routine each time.
Trainer comments are also rather boring when you hear them over and over again. They need elaborated as do choices for backgrounds including where to run.
Less down time or demonstrations when you have perfected the routines eg boxing - what a lot of time is wasted.
online running so you can run with a friend. More fun activities i love table tilt but now that I have high scores I don't really have anything to achieve. more levels/difficulties are required.
I LOVE Wii Fit and would recommend it to anyone, but here's hoping a follow up version will take such comments into consideration.
I like the wii fit, just got done playing, but like everyone else i think it needs changes.
First i think they should make a bigger board cause my feet barely fit, but i have size 13 feet
i also think there should be alot more cardio based games, Running in place is kinda stupid.
I take strength training at my high school, and i`m telling you that the way they explain some of these exercises will lead to injuries to inexperienced people
i would like to see an option where you pick a set of exercises that together make up thirty minutes or something kike that
all and all though, this game rocks
I'd like the option to stop the repetive babble ("You've got great posture", etc), the ending graphics (jumping up and down after skiing) and just generally make things go quicker.
It would also be great if there was a way to incorporate a heart rate monitor.
I would love to see the option to just see my balance and get direct visual feedback (like the daily measurement) instead of me trying to watch the screen to see how I'm doing and promptly falling over.
I'd also like to see a bit more of the disabled-friendly excerisces, I can't stand on one leg, so there must be some excerises everyone else can do that I can do to.
Another problem is the nunchuck, it just isnt as sensitvive as the handset.
I agree with everything already posted, except I LOVE the unlockable feature, just wish it were a little harder to unlock them.
My two biggest requests are:
1. Make it multi-board and online. I am hugely motivated by competition, and would LOVE to challenge my family and friends to try to "beat" me at the activities.
2. Make it where the trainer can make a routine for you that lasts so many minutes and have design your own work-out so you don't have to keep going back to the menu. Pre-programmed workouts would be helpful to me so that I would know which ones to do to get a good balanced workout each day.
When I got the WiiFit for Christmas I was so excited. I still love it but the first thing I said was, I wish you could just design your own work out and go seamlessly through whatever yoga poses you choose (and maybe be able to add several reps of each pose like you do in a class) to whichever strength to whichever aerobic, etc. It would make for a much shorter and much more fulfilling work out.
I agree that the BMI is a joke. When the doctor told me that I was considered Obese, it really made me mad. I know I'm overweight but that doesn't mean I'm kicking my stomach ahead of me to walk. I do not consider myself to be obese.
It would be really great if the whole thing were more customizable (maybe with an online resource that could be accessed through the program itself). You should be able to put in your body type/shape, the areas you want to improve, maybe your blood type (this has a lot to do with the way you lose weight and stay healthy). It would be nice if it had some menu suggestions or other help for losing weight.
Personally, I can't wait for a sequel with more exercises and features. Perhaps they could make some weights that you can adjust by adding rings or something that act like the Wiimote. Weights that would communicate your actions to the game. That would be helpful in exercises like the tricep extend where they want you to hold the remote and a bottle of water at the same time...
I absolutely love the idea of online interaction and competition but it should definitely be optional! Some people wouldn't want everyone else to see their scores, etc.
They should introduce a two player trainingmode in which you can "turnbased" train with your familymembers without constantly login in and out.
I mean a two player yoga session, or pushups but turnbased.
I really need an achievement based system so unlocking content is a must-have for me. It was a bit overwhelming the first session (hey, you did two minutes! You unlocked a new exercise) and it unlocks too quickly (one unlock per 30 min session would be motivating enough) but the concept is good.
I'd love to unlock fun stuff as opposed to just exercise:
additional trainers
new music
different scenery for the aerobic sets
I also agree with the idea of being able to set up a routine so that you can jump in and just do it without having to navigate around.
I love the unlockable feature it means that I have to work to find out what the next exercise is.
I agree with previous comments that the step should be longer and have the option of faster - it's my fave exercise but I find I need to choose to do it several times over to get up a sweat.
The free step needs improving, music, grapihics (running up stairs?), something.
There should be a bigger choice of instructors.
The BMI measure can be of value, hoewver i'd prefer to see weight given to you first - ie you've lost "0.5kg since your last weigh in" before you have the option of seeing your BMI. The first night we got it my first comment to my BF was "Wii fit says i'm fat", which i'm not but I do carry a lot of muscle.
Two player mode would be fantastic, expically on exercises that use the remote / numchuck.
A bigger range of cardio games would be great. Or even better bring out series of Wii fit ie "Wii fit cardio" or "Wii fit yoga" or a combo like "Wii fit yoga and muscle".
Saying all this I do love Wii fit and hope that more is released.
It would be great if you could log in info from past days.
I'm actually below my ideal BMI and am working out to try and gain strength. I wish there was some way to measure my progress that way instead of just my BMI. It should be about getting healthier not just shedding pounds.
I definitely wish you could move between exercises more seamlessly. I think it would be great if it would stop telling me to lean on someone/something if I need it when I'm getting four stars on the yoga poses. Obviously I can do without that warning after the first 5 times.
I think the best thing they could do to improve Wii Fit is to incorporate more activities into it, and also take a look at "My Fitness Coach". That title has a warmup/cooldown, lets you use your own equipment if you have it, and adjusts based on how easy/difficult it is for you. That's not saying they should copy it, but rather look at it and see what works and what is able to be incorporated. The reason I want more activities is because I am about 2 weeks in and I'm already bored. Now that I already have the balance board, there better be enough other things that interest me, in order to get me to shell out money for the sequel. Someone suggested expansion packs, and I love that idea.
And I get the dislike of BMI, but it's been in place for a long time, and is probably the most accepted measurement of what's considered a healthy body weight. If you fall outside of it, ask yourself whether you're okay with that and then ignore its advice if you choose. I don't mind it, but I wish it allowed you to choose what's most important to you. I am more motivated by the weight, while my kids like the WiiFit Age.
Wii fit with dual screen so 2 people can work out at the same time...Motivating starts by having someone to work out with....
Devllin
Quick Summary of points I agree with:
1)Should be able to save customized routines (more than one routine, across exercise groups, and in the order the user wants to set it up)
2) Should be able to select level of trainer talk (almost none, basic instruction, current level)
3) MUST have at least 2 balance-boards supported for every exercise (split-screen if needed). (This means allowing both players to get credit for exercise)
4) Unlockable content - only 1 exercise unlocked for every 30 minute session. After all exercises unlocked then new locations/trainers/etc...
5) Should be able to enter exercise info for previous days - if I spend 2 hours shoveling snow in my driveway, I want credit for it, and I'm not turning on the Wii that day to do it.
6) A heart rate monitor is a nice idea but depending on additional cost should be sold separately vs bundled.
7) Height adjusters for the balance board would be good for the step aerobics (sold separately).
8) What about a small LCD screen on the board that would give very basic info like for the YOGA poses where you aren't looking at the TV, but want to know how your balance is (i.e. are you in the center of the zone)
Just my 2 cents...(or $100 bucks if Nintendo is reading this).
I would like to see more cardio and a way to measure overall cardio fitness in the way My Fitness Coach has you test your heart rate improvement. I would like to see more exercises as well.
You should be informed what you need to do to unlock things.
Why cant there be more variety in the aerobic workouts? Hula hoops is stupid and then there are only really variations on the step and running exercises which I dont find challenging and running on the spot does nothing for me. I dont need the wii fit to do step or jog on the spot and watch tv at the same time! How is two player jogging any different from jogging by yourself? The only aerobic exercise I like is the boxing and there is not enough variety.
I LOVE the balance games but I dont see why they cant use some of the same ideas and make it an aerobic workout. That would make my workouts much more fun!
I also agree that there is a lot of time wasted when using the wii fit. Whether its flipping through menus, watching demos or just crap that may be great the first time you play but gets very tiresome for the regular user!
It could be an awesome way to exercise but it's not quiet there yet!!!
I know so so so many people who LOVE the wii fit EXCEPT THERE IS NO CONCEPT OF A WORKOUT... they would have hit the JACKPOT if they allowed a seamless transition between multiple workouts.
Desperately searching for an equivalent that has the concept of a seamless transition between exercise. WASTE SO MUCH DAMN TIME and heart rate goes down.
SERIOUSLY... MILLIONS AND MILLIONS of dollars would be made if that one simple damn feature was added.
Sigh.
I agree with many other posters:
1. Unlocking allows you to begin slowly, and not overdue, in addition to keeping you motivated. There should be more things to unlock in my opinion like:
2. Different backdrops would be great (one person suggested a beach, lagoon, etc. - this sounds great).
3. Unlocking different trainers would be cool too - it'd be fun to have Mario, or a drill sergeant barking at you. Great idea.
4. ABSOLUTELY NEED TO MAKE ANY AND ALL EXERCISE BE PUT TOGETHER TO CREATE A SEAMLESS TRANSITION AND MORE PERSONAL EXERCISE ROUTINE. I would echo EVERYONE's disappointment with the lack of this feature.
I unlocked everything quickly, and got to the point where the rests imposed on my by having to go back to the main menu were no longer a welcome excuse to rest, but rather a nuisance. I have since stopped using it, and am anxious to try a new one with WAY more options.
Oh, and the heart rate monitor would be cool too as an option to purchase separately.
I liked having to unlock different levels and games. Some things I would like are:
1) The ability to have two players play at once. My sister and I are in heavy competition to get high score! If I can't have this, I will settle for making it easier to switch from one player to another.
2) More complex boxing and step routines - the 10 minute boxing just gets boring. Maybe they could even create a wii punching bag!
3) More ski jump levels.
4) Definitely needs the ability to combine things and create your own personal workout.
LOL @ the poster suggesting that a heart rate monitor should be a separate purchasable item due to possible cost, and then suggesting that their could be an LCD on the balance board itself... There are over 12 million balance boards sold, no one is going to throw out their existing board just to buy another one! ;) Just give us Wii Fit 2, an upgraded, proper version of what's already been started, that can be purchased on it's own, and also be included with the purchase of the Wii balance boards. FYI, while we wait for Wii Fit II, we now have a great piece of software with EA Sports Active, that gets things right. Ideally, the new software will require the balance board for most activities and make the software like Active, able to actual go through a proper workout. Don't disappoint us, Ninty!
I stated an incorrect number of balance boards sold... there have been over 18.2 million of them.
I don't necessarily agree with the customizable workout, although that would be nice. I think the main concern is that there are workouts. Any routine is better then isolated and/or random movements
I would like to be able to create more streamlined workout sequences, and I do think the warm up/cool down feature would be an improvement.
I have to disagree with taking out the unlockable content feature though. I always liked how the WiiFit had its own built in rewards system to help keep you motivated. Even with just little things like the FitPiggy's color changing after a certain number of hours earned it made me feel like there were new things to discover.
Plus it never hurts to throw in extra motivation to do work outs. After all, if bulging guts was all it took to get people to work out we wouldn't need a video game for it, now would we?
Post a Comment