Wii Fit Exercise in an RV

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December 13, 2009

When we first started the RV lifestyle – I was looking forward to being active.  For some reason I thought that, just by virtue of living in an RV, we would be more active.  I guess I had visions of hiking and biking and swimming.

I was wrong.

When you live fulltime in an RV, it’s your life – not a vacation.  And, our life involves sitting at the computer a lot.  When we’re in travel mode, it means sitting in car seats a lot.  In other words, we have to make a conscious effort to get exercise in our life just like before we became RVers.  And, since we’re always in someplace new, we can’t get into a habit of any walking route.

Enter the Wii Fit.  We love it!  We got the Wii Fit several months ago – but it’s been in hiding for the last couple months 🙁   We just got the Wii Fit Plus to re-energize us.  Both Jim and I have done our ‘workouts’ twice this week.  It’s something that actually fits in our lifestyle, *and* in our RV.  If you’re already fit, the exercises will be laughably easy, but if you’re a ‘mouse-potato’ like us that’s a good thing!

One great thing about the Wii Fit is that it keeps records for you.  It knows how long since you last worked out, it knows how much you weighed last time and how much you weigh now.  It has no hesitation in telling you in a clear voice, “You’re Overweight!”

If you’ve never seen a Wii Fit – it’s hard to describe.  It’s a video game, but you don’t sit down and operate a game controller.  You stand on a ‘Balance Board’ (that’s how it knows how much you weigh) and hold sensing devices in your hand(s) so it knows where your hand(s) are.  Here’s the promo video from Nintendo who makes it:

It will take you thru yoga exercises, strength exercises, and aerobics exercises.  It’s not a group game – it’s one person at a time.  At first I didn’t like this, I thought it was something we could do together.  But, the positive is – I have no excuse – I don’t have to wait for Jim, and he doesn’t have to wait for me.  We each must take responsibility for doing our own exercising.  Also, since it’s just one person, it really can be done in the RV.  It’s tight, but it’s doable.  The only thing that doesn’t work is the exercises where you need to stretch your arms overhead.  My hands touch the ceiling, Jim can’t raise his arms at all without hitting the ceiling.

I *LOVE* the yoga exercises – flexibility has always been my focal point for feeling good.  Jim loves the games – there’s a new one in the Wii Fit Plus where your character on-screen is a bird.  Your job is to flap your wings and lean in different direction to fly to places on the screen and gather points.  It’s so fun.  And, your arms are tired when you’re done!

The Wii Fit Plus also includes mind/memory games along with the fitness.  There’s one where your onscreen character is standing amongst a group of balls – you’re kind of like a pinball amongst the bumpers – your job is to bump the balls by moving your hips.  The game comes in by the fact that the balls have different numbers on them and the goal is to bump just those balls where the numbers will add up to 10.  It’s harder than it sounds!

And, last but not least – the Wii Fit provides a lot of laughs – especially when I watch Jim flapping his arms like a bird 🙂

Someday we’ll get brave enough to take some video – meanwhile, check out this guy who took his Wii Fit on an RV Road Trip:

image If you’re interested in buying a Wii Fit system, it’s available at Amazon.com or even Walmart.  There are several pieces to it.  The Wii player – like a standalone DVD Drive.  This plays all sorts of Wii games, not just the Wii Fit.  It’s possible you may already have this.  The Wii Fit Plus is a disk that you put in this player.

Then you need the balance board and the controllers along with the sensor bar.  You can buy many of these pieces separately.  If you get the whole package it will set you back around $350.

It’s meant to plug into a TV, but we use a projector and screen.  If you want all this to be portable, you may consider the mini-projector – Joybee.  I wrote about that  in a previous post.

Now, get off that couch!  Let go of the mouse!  And, go work off that holiday cheer.

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10 comments

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  2. Vern and Beth

    We have been using the Wii packages for over a year now. Not only do they provide a great variety of exercise routines, they provide great entertainment on a rainy or cold day. Try the new Wii adventure packages or the wii active plus or the wii restort package. We are in our 70’s and needed to loose a little weight. A combination of hiking and the Wii helped us drop 20 lbs. each. In addition, those steep hills and rough terrain are not a problem anymore. It is great!!

  3. Tom

    Oui, we Wii!

    Don’t leave home without it. The exercises seem simple but if done repeatedly they will improve your balance and steadiness. Ideal for older adults who are finding their balance and movements could use some improvement.

  4. Lynn

    We bought extra equipment so that we could take our WiiFit on roadtrips w/o disconnecting at home. When we go fulltime this year, we will always have our Wii. We’ve had WiiFit for over a year and, you’re right, it wa a bit easy for the fit. BUT, My Fitness Coach conquered that. Lots of exercise and all do-able in an RV (we have a 40 footer with a slideout so we can move in it). Now, Wii gets better with Wii Active. Now THAT’S awesome. For people who are pretty fit and want a good workout in an RV (or at home for that matter) try the Active and the newer More Active. I work out daily when I’m home, and now I can work out daily on the road. Ant they’ll make you feel pretty guilty if you don’t. Go Wii. But Rick’s right, you have to be committed or its a waste. Lots of firends have theirs just sitting collecting. Oh, and the Everready battery charger is amazing, get that.

  5. Rick

    They do work as advertised. BUT before you plop down 300 bucks do some thinking and some research. How long are you going to use it before it gets stored in valuable rv space? If you cant get out and do some simple exercises for free then more than likely you will tire of the WII Fit. I believe there over 1.5 million WII Fits sold and a big percent of them are collecting dust. If you are really serious then go for it. Just remember it wont pull you up from that easy chair or slap your hand when you grab for that second smore!

  6. John

    Great idea. We have the system in our home and we are getting an extra power supply and sensor then all we have to take in the RV is the box and disks. Add a guitar and headphones. Newer an idle minute.

  7. Steve Varadi

    I am thinking about to buy one Wii Fit Plus. I just wondering how many battery set do you need for a month? As far as I know it has no power supply in the box. Anybody can tell me how long last one battery set (4)?
    Thanks.

  8. barbara kruger

    I am a full timer and received the wii fit from my kids last year at xmas. I find it especially helpful to get my exercise on rainy or snowy days like at the albuquerque great rally last April. I can raise my arms straight up while on the board as long as I do not stretch out my fingers. I highly recommend it

  9. EARLENE HOFER

    IT LOOKS GREAT. BEFORE BECOMING A FULTIMER I ATTENDED AN EXERCISE CLASS 3 TIMES WEEKLY. NOW I AM LUCKY TO WALK A COUPLA TIMES A WEEK.

  10. John Jackman

    We use a Wii fit at home and it is an outstanding alternative to going to a gym. It has enough variety and challenge to make it outstanding for you daily or just a couple of times a week workout.