Wii Sports Boxing workout equivalent to the real thing?
by David Hinkle 
{ Aug 13th 2008 at 2:38PM }
You know as well as we do that, with some games, you can really break a sweat while playing Wii. Some student researchers from Cleveland University have found out that, at least in Wii Sports Boxing, your workout with Wii is equivalent to that of real, traditional exercise (they aren't the first to conduct tests, though). The goal isn't to get anyone to ditch those traditional routines, mind you, but to get more people exercising.
Still, the difference in calories burned is kind of small. They found that working the bag for 30 minutes only burned 28 more calories than a workout with Wii Sports Boxing over the same period of time. They hope that working out with the Wii will be a more inviting prospect. "One reason people don't exercise is because they feel like it is too strenuous. With the Wii, they get the workout, but there isn't that negative feeling," said CSU Associate Professor Ken Sparks. "Even if you can't get out and jog, you may be able to get the exercise on the Wii."
[Via Go Nintendo]
People have been using the Wii to exercise for awhile now. Aside from Manhattanites paying exuberant amounts of money to workout with the machine, you can also read about a Canadian gym using Wii Sports right here. Surgeons are even using it! The Wii is also a great tool for those in rehab. It can pretty much do anything.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dylan F @ Aug 13th 2008 3:37PM
I'm surprised they didn't test Wii Fit, since Wii Fit is more aimed towards burning calories than Wii Sports.
sn1per @ Aug 13th 2008 4:48PM
A proper scientific study takes a while to complete, so expect the Wii Fit studies to start coming out about a year from now.
Jhongerkong @ Aug 13th 2008 4:13PM
Dude looks like Sub Zero
HappyFunBall @ Aug 13th 2008 4:26PM
Dude looks like a lady. :-)
Hamster @ Aug 13th 2008 4:50PM
I believe it also plays video games.
No offense Professor Ken Sparks, but stories about how "Wii Sports is also good exercise" got fucking tedious about a year ago.