Using the Nintendo Wii & Wii Fit for Exercise No comments yet

An increase in convenience foods, motorised transport and a more sedentary lifestyle, generally, has meant that people across the world are putting on weight. Obesity is a modern problem, and not just for adults. Television and video games are often cited as reasons for the increase in children obesity, because, unlike previous generations, children today simply don’t get enough exercise. The Wii, introduced by Nintendo in 2006, was a breakthrough in video games console technology, insofar as players use a wireless remote control to mimic real-life sports action – swinging it like a tennis racket, golf club, etc. – and are therefore much more active, physically, than when playing traditional, sedentary games.

Wii Fit is a video game – or better, a collection of video games, because there are a total of 40 activities in which players can participate – designed to combine fitness with fun. Players of any age and fitness level can create their own avatar, or on screen character – known as a “Mii” – and follow the progress of that character towards, hopefully, better health and fitness.

Wii Fit includes balance games, yoga, strength training and aerobic exercise routines, all of which work with the innovative Wii Balance Board. The Wii Balance Board is roughly the size of a set of weighing scales, but includes gyroscopic technology, so that when a player moves his, or her, weight on the board, those movements are mimicked, exactly, be his, or her, Mii. Thus, real-life movements are translated into gameplay in exactly the same way as with the standard Wii remote control. A calculation of BMI (“Body Mass Index”), along with performance is some basic fitness and balance routines, is used to calculate a “Wii Fitness Age”, and statistics, personal targets, etc. provide an incentive to carry on exercising, even after the initial novelty has worn off.

The Wii Balance Board obviously lends itself well to cardiovascular and other fitness workout routines but many other games involving skateboarding, snowboarding, and other sports, such as boxing, which take advantage of the Wii Balance Board are either already in production or in the pipeline. You can, if you wish, purchase accessories for the Wii Balance Board, such as a textured workout mat, or a rechargeable battery pack and charging cable.

Wii Fit does not, of course, replace real sports, but encourages anyone with a sedentary lifestyle to be, at least, a little more active. A study published in the British Medical Journal suggested that Wii Fit could provide health benefits, and it may be worth remembering some famous quotes on the subject of fitness, not least that from A.A. Milne, “A bear, however hard he tries, grows tubby without exercise.”

Home Treadmills for Football Fitness No comments yet

For many of us, football is not just a hobby, it’s a way of life. The beautiful game can arouse feelings of belonging and loyalty stronger than any personal relationship. The game is of course wonderful from the spectators` perspective but for those of us that really love it, we have to get out there and play the game for ourselves.

As well as the skill and technique required to play football well, ninety minutes of running around requires a lot of stamina, regardless of the position you play. It is vital, therefore, that footballers are at peak fitness and can maintain extremely strong cardiovascular stamina throughout the game. The ideal way of developing this level and type of fitness is running, which strengthens core muscle strength and cardio fitness at the same time. However, the UK weather means it is not always possible to run outdoors and in some larger cities it is difficult to find safe routes for running alone at night. The answer is a home treadmill, which will allow you to train at any time of the day or night without leaving your own home.

Owning your own home treadmill is an excellent investment for the serious sportsperson as you can go running at any time that suits your schedule, as well as cutting down on travel time to the gym and therefore maximising your workout session. You can run in front of the television or play your favourite music as you train, making your workout much more enjoyable than in a large, impersonal gym.

Getting the most out of your home treadmill requires asking yourself a few key questions before purchasing your machine. Firstly, how often you plan to use it, where in the house you will set it up and whether you will need to pack it away when not in use. Some of the best home treadmills today come with sophisticated built in displays that can provide easy to read data on distance run, calories burnt and speed. Think carefully about what information is important to you and make sure this can be monitored in the model you choose.

Some of the best quality treadmills available for home use are made by Precor and provide state-of-the-art machines for serious professionals. However, if you don`t have a large budget but still want quality you might consider a machine by Trimline, who offer reassuringly comprehensive warranties. Fold-away models are also an option for those short on space for sports equipment. These can be packed away when not in use and easily moved around your home. Shop around and ask plenty of questions before deciding on the right model for you.

Anyone interested in football is sure to have one or two favourite professional teams that they follow religiously – can you train to the level of their players?