Wii Fit U + Fit Meter Review

Confession:  We love our electronics around here.

Confession #2: We are fond of Nintendo products.

While we do have limits on how much time our children can be interfacing with screens (unless they are reading on the kindle), we do own quite a few options for the time that they are allowed.  Both boys have DS handhelds and we’ve had a Wii for years.  I’m not much of a game player, but even I’ve had a rockin’ good time with the Wii.

So, when Nintendo offered to send me the Wii Fit U and the Fit Meter to review, I was all over it.  I’ve always wanted to try out the balance board and I’m definitely looking for new ways to help my one child burn off excess energy and to get the other child moving.

Takeaways:  the Wii Fit U game is a lot of fun, the Fit Meter has been eye opening for me, and I have the world’s worst balance. Ok, maybe you don’t care that I have no balance or flexibility.

But, of course, life is in the details, so here’s what you need to know:

Wii Fit U is about fitness AND fun.  It is, after all, a game system.  It takes a little time on the front end to set up your personal profile AKA Mii. (And, I have to say it took FOREVER to download the game.  Luckily I work from home, so I just worked next to it and made sure it was downloading.)

Then you can do a test to see your fitness age and the system recommends some games and exercises.   I did a couple of the actual workouts, but what I enjoyed the most was playing games that were intended to improve areas of weakness.  The obstacle course?  So.Much.Fun. and really addictive, since I was pretty awful at it.

The game also offers a “gym community”, personal trainer, Wii Fit U routines, and exercise options.  I’ve tried out each one and so far the only negative I’ve found is that directions take so much time it’s hard to keep your heart rate up.  I’m hopeful that with more time, I can figure out how to bypass those or at least keep moving during the explanations for things I already know how to do.

If you already have the Wii U and the balance board, there is a free trial on the Wii U Fit that runs Nov. 1st – Jan. 31st that provides access to the full game for a month and the ability to keep it for just the cost of a Fit Meter at only $19.99

Which leads me to the Wii U Fit Meter…

According to the Wii Fit U website,

The Fit Meter does a lot more than count your steps. It also has an acceleration sensor (to measure intensity) and an atmospheric pressure sensor (to measure altitude changes).

This means the Fit Meter can more accurately calculate how many calories you burn, based on what you’re doing. Running up stairs, for example, will torch more calories than taking the elevator—even though the distance is the same.

I admit we have not exactly been using the Fit Meter as intended.  I mean, yes, I did wear it a few days and count steps.  It seems fairly accurate as both times I walked Shoo to school, my numbers were in the 4000s when I got back.  And I really hope the calorie estimate was low, or I really need to pick things up around here.

Wanna know why I really loved the Fit Meter?  Because my kids think it’s cool to see how many steps they can get on it.  Picture them taking turns running around my {very small} living room one evening.  Yeah, they got a great workout that day.  That right there is worth the $19.99.  In fact, Shoo keeps stealing it from me and wearing it around the house.  (And I did find it motivating the day I wore it and didn’t walk Shoo to school.  It took a lot of walking up and down my stairs to make up that walk!)

Even more fun is uploading the information from the Fit Meter into the Wii U. I loved looking at how much more intense running was compared to walking, but apparently I was asleep while I was on the exercise bike. Insert sad face here.  Also, I’m tracking my walk around Oahu.  Just sayin’.

There is really only one true negative to the Fit U game and the Fit Meter: the cost of the system to run it. You have to have the Wii U system and the Balance Board, neither of which are cheap.  However, if you’ve already invested in the system for your kids (or yourself), it’s totally worth the added investment.

I’ve only just begun to explore the system and I haven’t even let the kids touch the game yet. I know, I’m selfish.  Stay tuned for more about the online community and Shoo’s adventures on the obstacle course (we all know he’ll be better than me…)

Disclaimer: Nintendo provided me with the Wii U system and Fit Meter free for review.  All opinions are my own.