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Gadget Fun for from a Girlie Geek’s View

Wii Fit Plus – Put to the Test

While visiting my sister and contemplating taking back my Wii Fit board and game, she introduced me to Wii Fit Plus.  I enjoyed my Wii Fit game but had not used it as often as I should have.  We cracked up the Wii and I tried a few of the newer games such as bike riding, Segway riding game and the marching band thingy.  They were a lot of fun but would I use it if I got it?  After coming home WITHOUT my Wii board and game, my hubby, bought me the Wii Fit Plus.  So far I’ve used it almost everyday.  It is easier now since the day job fizzled, but alas, I enjoy playing even more and have been working out for 30 minutes each morning.  It also has an additional place for Wii pets (weight your pet and keep track of it), and babies.

I’ll report back in a month to see if I am still on the fitness kick, but so far . . . ME LIKE!

WII FIT PLUS

  • The Wii Fit Plus Bundle includes the game software and the Wii Balance Board.
  • Users can input the amount of time they want to spend on their workouts or select an area for personal improvement, and Wii Fit Plus will suggest a number of diverse activities for them.
  • For the first time, users can mix and match which strength and yoga activities they prefer on a given day. The seamless exercise flows make it easier than ever for users to maintain their daily workout routines.
  • The range of games and customization options will make players want to play every day. They¿ll be having so much fun that their workouts will seem to fly by in no time at all.

Wii Fit attracted millions of new players to the world of video games. Now Wii Fit Plus offers a range of new features and enhancements to help players reinvigorate their workouts, along with exercises and balance games designed to keep them fun. Players will find a new dimension to the Wii Fit experience as they easily set their own customized workout routines, or choose 20-, 30- or 40-minute workouts based on how much time they have available.

'Wii Fit Plus' game logo
Yoga and strength activity selector in 'Wii Fit Plus'
6 new yoga & strength activities.
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The 'Perfect 10' balance game from 'Wii Fit Plus'
The ‘Perfect 10′ balance game.
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Workout personalization options in the Locker Room in 'Wii Fit Plus'
Personalization options.
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The 'Obstacle Course' balance game from 'Wii Fit Plus'
‘Obstacle Course’ game
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Targeting specific body areas for excercise in 'Wii Fit Plus'
Target specific body areas.
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Users will also be able to choose from specialized workout routines that focus on all-around individual personal fitness goals or certain target areas. And with the addition of activities like Skateboarding and Rhythm Kung Fu, players will be using the Wii Balance Board accessory in a variety of new and fun ways.

Gameplay
As with the original Wii Fit release, Wii Fit Plus is designed, as its name implies, to improve the user’s fitness. The game contains a large number of activities that fall into a variety of categories, including: yoga, aerobics, strength training and balance games. With all but a few exceptions, which utilize variations on a standard Wii Remote configuration, all activities utilize the Wii Balance Board (included with this bundle), either alone or configured with either a Wii Remote alone or the Wii Remote and nunchuck. The Balance Board, like any other Wii controller acts as a motion/pressure sensing device wirelessly synched to your Wii and replicating your body’s movements. Each controller employed occupies one of the Wii’s four wireless inputs, together mapping the reference points needed to recreate most full body motions on screen. Although this limits the majority of the activities to a single player orientation, various activities throughout the game support up to eight players in alternating play.

To use Wii Fit Plus players import their Miis from their Wii system, set up profiles, establish a current physical baseline, set fitness goals, and embark on a routine to reach them. Wii Fit Plus tracks your usage, weight and progress towards your goal over time, giving you a status report as you start each session. At any time players can choose whatever activity they want, whether exercise or balance game, and as they progress in these they will level up in each, gaining points, setting high scores and unlocking more activities.

Personalization Option Via ‘The Locker Room’
The original Wii Fit was designed to have something for everyone. Now Wii Fit Plus raises the bar by providing users with personalization options that allow them to find/create a specific workout routine that is exactly right for them, their family and their lifestyle. One example of this is “The Locker Room.” Easily accessible throughout the game, here players can choose from a number customizable options that allow them to maximize their time with Wii Fit Plus without having to navigate through the game menu while in the middle of a workout. In essence this allows players to become their own personal trainer. Customization options available within The Locker Room include: preprogrammed and timed Wii Fit Plus Routines; My Routine, where you choose your own set of activities, optimizing their length and area of the body to be focused on; and Favorites, a notation of activities you frequent, which provides fast access to exercises you enjoy doing the most.

Addition Yoga and Strength Exercises
Designed as an addition to the already substantial list of focused, physical exercises available in Wii FitWii Fit Plus contains six new and challenging strength and yoga activities. But continuing with the game’s commitment to personalization, the key to these additions is not in their volume, but in how the player chooses to mix and match them. Do them in the order they are presented, or combine them in whatever order you want. The choice is yours. The player even has the ability to repeat the ones that he/she prefers, maximizing attention and effort where it is needed most. In addition, for those to whom time is a commodity, you can now omit unnecessary interludes between exercises, making for a continuous, timesaving routine.

A Wealth of New Balance Games
Regardless of the considerable fitness factor packed into Wii Fit Plus, the Nintendo brand is and will always be all about having fun. With that in mind Wii Fit Plus also comes packed with 15 new, entertaining balance games suitable for every member of the family. Just a few of those that players can expect to see are: Juggling; Skateboarding; Snowball Fight; Obstacle Course, a log-leaping, cannonball-evading event reminiscent of what Nintendo icon Mario must go through; and Perfect 10, a balance game designed to promote a combination of physical and mental health. In this final example the player’s Mii is situated between multiple color-coated balls, each showing specific numbers, with the goal to swing your hips, hula style, in different directions to tap out a total of ten as many times as possible before time runs out.

Key Game Features

  • The Wii Fit Plus Bundle includes the game software and the Wii Balance Board.
  • Users can input the amount of time they want to spend on their workouts or select an area for personal improvement, and Wii Fit Pluswill suggest a number of diverse activities for them.
  • For the first time, users can mix and match which strength and yoga activities they prefer on a given day. The seamless exercise flows make it easier than ever for users to maintain their daily workout routines.
  • Users might be asked to run an obstacle course across a series of platforms, zoom across a beach on a Segway x2 Personal Transporter or flap their arms to help their hilarious chicken-suited characters aim for targets.
  • The range of games and customization options will make players want to play every day. They’ll be having so much fun that their workouts will seem to fly by in no time at all.
  • Players also can see estimates of calories burned and can even activate a feature that lets them weigh their dogs or cats.

December 29th, 2009 Posted by GirlieGeek | Cool Gadgets | one comment

Nintendo prepares to set new Wii gizmo into motion

May 17th, 2009 Posted by GirlieGeek | Cool Gadgets | no comments

EA SPORTS Active for Nintendo Wii – EA Games

EA SPORTS Active for Nintendo Wii – EA Games.

I’m so getting this when it comes out!


ea_sports_active_wii

Product Details

  • Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
  • ASIN: B001MBUGLY
  • Product Dimensions: 1 pounds
  • Media: Video Game
  • Release Date: May 19, 2009

Amazon.com Product Description

Developed in collaboration with fitness expert Bob Greene, best known as Oprah’s personal trainer, EA SPORTS Active provides a fun, inexpensive and easy to maintain regimen designed to encourage physical fitness and healthy living. A combination of a wide variety of interactive activities and exercises, linked together into an ever-changing circuit training routine targeting the muscles of the upper and lower body, as well as providing cardio for a healthy heart, it is the perfect exercise option for every member of a modern household. .caption { font-family: Verdana, Helvetica neue, Arial, serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; } ul.indent { list-style: inside disc; text-indent: -15px; } table.callout { font-family: verdana; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1. 3em; } td.vgoverview { height: 125px; background: #9DC4D8 url(http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/electronics/detail-page/callout-bg.png) repeat-x; border-left: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; padding-bottom: 10px; width: 250px; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; }

'EA SPORTS Active' game logo
Personal trainer in 'EA SPORTS Active'
Easy to follow personal trainer.
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Two women strength training with the resistance band in 'EA SPORTS Active'
Strength training via resistance.
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Two kids using the Nunchuck leg strap to do cardio exercises in 'EA SPORTS Active'
Use leg strap for cardio.
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Gameplay
Designed around the standard Wii Remote/Nunchuck tethered controller configuration, EA SPORTS Active’s interactive fitness program is more focused on physical activities than previous ‘fitness’ titles for the Wii, but still challenges you to have fun while developing a more healthy lifestyle. Separated into the three sections of workout, nutrition, lifestyle, and other activity, the user’s experience begins with a pep talk from Bob Greene which quickly transitions into the beginnings of action as players set up profiles, choose a virtual personal trainer and enter baseline data like age, weight, gender, fitness goals, etc. Although the nutrition, lifestyle, and other activity sections add a holistic element facilitated by a mix of surveys and data input, building fitness through physical activity is the driving force behind EA SPORTS Active and as such the meat of the content resides in the workout section. Here players will find dozens of themed strength training and cardio workouts which can be customized as you choose and linked into circuit traning routines. These routines are introduced and monitored by your personal trainer, and allow for ongoing player motivation via real-time feedback on your workout form, an approximation of calories burned and the ability to adjust levels of exercise intensity.

Accessories
Although activity in EA SPORTS Active flows exclusively through the combination of the Wii Remote and Nunchuck controllers, it also utilizes a few additional accessories to maximize the functionality of this configuration. The first of these included with the game is the controller leg strap. By attaching this to their upper thigh and then slipping the Nunchuck controller into it, players can utilize the Nunchuck controller’s motion sensing capabilities while it is connected to the Wii Remote to monitor their leg movements. This allows for cardio exercises like jogging and cardio boxing and strength training activities like squats. Also included with the game is a resistance band designed to increase the intensity of a variety of exercises such as bicep curls and shoulder presses and lifts. In addition, although not included, the Wii Balance board is compatible with many EA SPORTS Active workouts, but only as an optional added controller configuration.

Key Game Features:

  • Active Fitness Made Fun & Easy – 20 minute circuits feature a variety of familiar activities that target upper body, lower body as well as cardio. Start off with a light jog, followed by bicep curls and get your heart beating with some cardio boxing.
  • Benefit of a Virtual Personal Trainer – Your trainer will be the focal point of the experience guiding you towards your own version of personal achievement. Feedback will be given throughout your workout, keeping you on track to reach your fitness goals.
  • The 30 Day Challenge – Take the 30 Day Challenge and experience tailor made 20 minute workouts to your level of fitness. Circuits will change as you progress each day, and EA SPORTS Active will track calories, intensity and progress throughout your journey.
  • New Way to Play – Slip the Nunchuk into the specially designed leg strap and hold the Wii Remote in your hand to track your movements from both your upper and lower body. A resistance band is also included to increase the intensity of exercises such as bicep curls and shoulder presses.
  • Workout Your Way – Circuits can be customized to your interest and fitness level. Choose your duration, intensity level & set your own goals for calories burned and workout score.
  • Workout with a Friend – Burn calories with a friend as you both workout through routines together in a co-operative mode.
  • Track Your Progress – Expand your Fitness IQ and keep track of your workouts inside and outside of EA Sports Active with the in-game Journal.
  • Wii Balance Board Compatibility – Get more out of your EA SPORTS Active workout using a Wii Balance Board with added functionality for many of exercises.

Co-op Multiplayer Mode
Along with its single player experience, EA SPORTS Active also features a deep and entertaining two-player cooperative gameplay mode. Designed to tap into the time tested motivational factor of having a workout buddy beside you as crunch through reps and up your personal best, regardless of a player’s current fitness levels or future fitness goals, this mode is sure to enhance the level of fun of players at all levels.

Working triceps in 'EA SPORTS Active'
Working the triceps.
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Co-op gameplay in 'EA SPORTS Active'
Co-op gaming with friends.
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Woman boxing in 'EA SPORTS Active'
Feel the burn of cardio boxing.
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Product Description
Introducing EA SPORTS Active exclusively for the Wii. Designed in collaboration with fitness experts, EA SPORTS Active gives you fun, easy to learn exercises and activities that create a western fitness circuit you can do with family and friends, all from the convenience of your living room. It’s like having your very own personal trainer in the comfort of your home, offering the promise of a better you, in just 20 minutes a day. EA SPORTS Active tracks your movements on screen to give you real time feedback on your workout. Track both upper and lower body movements and experience Wii controls in a whole new way with our specially designed leg straps. There will be two provided in each box so you can work out alongside a friend or family member. Embark on the 30 Day Challenge and use the structure as a road map to reach your goals. Your trainer will be the focal point of the experience and create a new 20 minute workout for you every day, providing clear instruction, motivation and positive encouragement. EA SPORTS Active features a wide variety of activities that target upper body, lower body, as well as cardio. Each daily workout will feel different then the last and increase in intensity as you work up a sweat towards your goals. Circuits can be customized to your interest and fitness level. Choose your duration, intensity level & set your own goals for calories burned and workout score Get more out of your EA SPORTS Active workout using a Wii Balance Board with added functionality and physical benefits for many of exercises

April 29th, 2009 Posted by GirlieGeek | Cool Gadgets | one comment

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