Virtual Exercise

Back when I used to cruise MySpace profiles for fun, I had only one hard-and-fast rule: anyone who listed "working out" as their number 1 hobby wasn't worth knowing. I mean, working out? It had always seemed so tedious to me -- and that's probably why I hadn't set foot in a gym since college. I kept fit through running, content to maintain my skinny frame rather than build on it. Still, as my metabolism began to slow down with age, I wondered if I'd eventually have to bite the bullet and do something as boring as hitting the gym.

I may still have to, but until that dark day, I've got Wii Fit. As the latest attempt by Nintendo to bring video games into the mainstream, Wii Fit isn't a game in the conventional sense. Instead, it's an exercise program that's actually fun, powered by a new Wii peripheral called the Balance Board. The board -- about the size of a two bathroom scales -- is designed to track your balance and weight shifts through a variety of exercises, including yoga, strength training, and aerobics. If you quit your push-ups early or drop a leg while doing a yoga pose, the Balance Board will know.

All this could still be a bit of a drag if it weren't for Nintendo's ingenious presentation. The friendly, inviting interface -- complete with an anthropomorphized, talking Balance Board -- draws you in, while the calm encouragement of the on-screen personal trainers keeps you motivated. Even better, the Balance Board teaches you correct timing and posture (even providing an on-screen reticule to keep steady) so you won't injure yourself by relying too much on momentum or attempt an incorrect pose. A year ago I went through a hastily improvised sit-up phase that really hurt my lower back, so learning good form on these exercises was like having a real-life personal trainer.

Though the game makes only light suggestions on which exercises you should chain together, it provides a wealth of helpful graphs and bonuses to encourage daily use. Doing better on introductory exercises will unlock more reps, advanced routines, and fun balance games, while a customizable goal sheet monitors your progress toward an ideal weight and body mass index. Soon you'll feel bad if you skip a day -- as I did once, prompting a disappointed Balance Board to ask, "Too busy to work out yesterday, eh, Kyle?"

Wii Fit isn't always as full-fledged as you'd like it to be -- some of the bonus balance games fall flat, and hard-core exercise junkies might point out some omissions -- but it's a huge step into a brave new world for video games. If Wii Sports was a must-play for people who'd never picked up a controller, Wii Fit is a must-own for anyone too wary or poor to pick up a gym membership.