| It goes like this: | | | | you fun, easy to learn exercises that create your |
| -indulge over Christmas | | | | perfect workout. This trainer-in-a-box lets you |
| -make New Year’s resolution to lose weight and | | | | choose the number of workouts per week or |
| get fit | | | | session, or you can opt for the 30 Day Challenge. It |
| -cancel gym membership | | | | has a great detailed reward system and accurate |
| | | | movement tracking, dietary and lifestyle guidance if |
| There are hundreds of reasons why so many | | | | you want it and some excellent games to boot. |
| resolutions become disillusions. Firstly, the Battle of | | | | Rating - 4.5/5 |
| the Bulge can be expensive. Very expensive. Gym | | | | My Fitness Coach |
| membership can gobble up a sizable chunk of your | | | | My Fitness Coach is another contender in this |
| bank balance, with most deals falling somewhere | | | | increasingly popular personal trainer category, but |
| between £40 and £80 per month. Even once | | | | with this one there’s no need to purchase the |
| you’ve signed gingerly on the dotted line, finding | | | | Wii Balance Board. As always, you will be required to |
| the courage to walk into a room and proceed to | | | | do an initial fitness evaluation. Then you have the |
| pant and sweat in front of complete strangers can | | | | option of including a heart rate monitor, aerobic step, |
| be a very unappealing and intimidating prospect to | | | | balance ball or weights into your workouts if you |
| some. The same goes for outdoor sports, which of | | | | have them at home. The program asks you about |
| course also means you will be at the mercy of the | | | | your goal and will even recommend workouts for |
| unpredictable British weather. | | | | you based on your fitness test information. With |
| The Wii has completely revolutionised gaming. With | | | | your goals and workout hours set, you’re ready |
| motion sensitive controllers and balance board which | | | | to feel the benefits of a 1-on-1 personalised workout. |
| can recognise weight distribution, the Wii makes for a | | | | As you progress you unlock new exercise rooms and |
| more interactive, not to mention energetic, gaming | | | | new music types, and after every 10 workouts you |
| experience. Within the privacy and comfort of your | | | | will be asked to complete the initial fitness test again |
| own living room, you can concentrate on following | | | | to see how you’re getting on. |
| your personalised workouts and leave the Wii work | | | | Rating - 4/5 |
| out all the facts and figures that will keep you fit and | | | | Your Shape with Camera |
| healthy for years to come. Some programs can even | | | | A direct descendent of My Fitness Coach, Your |
| help support a healthy lifestyle once your Wii is | | | | Shape with Camera takes the idea one step further |
| switched off, with low calorie recipe ideas and | | | | by using a camera to scan your body and track your |
| activity suggestions. But what the Wii is best at is | | | | movements. This program is controller-free which |
| making your exercise routine an enjoyable | | | | means you are able to fully concentrate on your |
| experience, and the games use motivational points | | | | body movements and practise a wider range of |
| systems and rewards that help you to stay on track | | | | exercises. While still offering a range of bespoke |
| and make your goals achievable. | | | | workouts tailored to your goals, the program offers |
| Compare prices for all of these products at Wii | | | | some extra help by being able to tell you instantly |
| Games Price Comparison | | | | whether you’re doing an exercise incorrectly, and |
| Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board | | | | how to put it right. |
| There’s a huge variety of fitness games on | | | | Rating - 3.5/5 |
| offer, but a good place start is with Wii Fit Plus with | | | | The Biggest Loser |
| Balance Board. The first thing you need to do with | | | | You’ve seen the TV show, now join The |
| any new Wii game is to personalise your profile. The | | | | Biggest Loser challenge! This is another interactive |
| Wii will store your details such as height, age, weight, | | | | fitness game and comes complete with structured |
| BMI and balance, and will keep a log for you. At this | | | | routines, weekly special challenges, weigh-ins and |
| stage you can also chose a goal weight or fitness | | | | eliminations. This time the program’s main |
| level, and the Wii will keep track of how close you | | | | objective is weight loss and promoting a healthy diet. |
| are to reaching it. | | | | Personalise your program and get inspiring health and |
| The Wii Fit Plus features five training categories; | | | | lifestyle tips, over 50 healthy recipes and a calorie |
| aerobic exercises, muscle conditioning, yoga, balance | | | | counter. The best thing? You can train with a friend |
| games and the new training plus. All are designed to | | | | and compete to win the title of The Biggest Loser. |
| help develop your bodily balance and control, burn | | | | Rating - 5/5 |
| fat, help tone and condition muscle and also to | | | | Still not got the fitness bug?! |
| increase your aerobic stamina. Most importantly, | | | | If none of the above games take your fancy, why |
| they’re designed to be fun! You can ski, | | | | not try something with a little more rhythm? Just |
| skateboard, try out some kung fu moves or even | | | | Dance is the popular Wii dancing game featuring over |
| take a plunge as a penguin. You can also create | | | | 200 real dance moves to 32 hit songs that are bound |
| customised training routines or ask your personal Wii | | | | to get your toes tapping. By mirroring the dancer on |
| Fit trainer can create exercise programs for you | | | | screen and hitting the moves you won’t even |
| based on the area of your body you wish to work | | | | realise you’re giving your body a great workout. |
| on, whether it’s those love handles, extra belly | | | | You can sing along to the tunes and challenge your |
| rolls or wobbly thighs. | | | | friends to a dance-off as the game accommodates |
| Rating - 5/5 | | | | up to 4 players. |
| Ea Sports Active Personal Trainer | | | | Rating - 4.5/5 |
| If you like the sound of having your own personal | | | | So you see there’s really no excuse not to get |
| trainer at a fraction of the price, then you might like | | | | fit and healthy in 2010, and with a little help from the |
| to try Ea Sports Active Personal Trainer, which gives | | | | Wii, you might even enjoy it. |