The American Council on Exercise sponsored a study to see how well the Wii stacked up to “real” exercise.
Wii can provide some fitness benefits and help with weight management, but the key comes down to simulating the movements used in the actual sports, says Porcari. “If you want to get as good a workout as you can with Wii Sports, you really need to mimic the real movements as closely as possible.”
I don’t know about you, but when I pull out the Wii, I’m not using the same motions I would if I were, say, actually playing tennis. I’m using shorter, more abbreviated versions. (Actually, I’m probably not playing Wii Tennis at all, I’m probably just giving myself carpal tunnel jamming out on my little plastic guitar.)
You’ll still burn off more calories (and probably get a better rounded workout) with actual exercise rather than the Wii, but it still beats just staring at the television.
Just don’t kid yourself into thinking you’re getting much of a workout.
