According to a study presented on Monday, this new offering of active Wii video games by Nintendo Co. Ltd might come handy in moving couch potatoes and actually making them start exercising while still enjoying their game.
The study researcher Motohiko Miyachi, PhD, head of physical activity program at the National Institute of Health and Nutrition in Tokyo said, “It's a very easy and fun way to start a physical activity program."
“It’s taken us a long time to get to the finish line,” said David Campisi, Sports Authority’s president, “but what we came up with was the idea to not just launch a product, because it’s not a new product, but to view the Wii Fit Plus as an opportunity to shift the paradigm and shake up the treadmill and sporting-goods business.”
The Wii-Fit console
Here’s a little insight for the uninitiated. Nintendo’s Wii-Fit is a next generation gaming console that encourages active motion from players and provides higher level of interaction than most other video gaming consoles.
The Balance board accessory with Wii-Fit Plus allows you to build a virtual work-out regime for you, making it much more fun to work-out.
Studies show Wii-Fit will help in exercising
The Sports Authority is claiming that this device will help users “achieve better health”.
Wii maker Nintendo-funded study shows that about one-third of virtual activities and games in Wii sports package require the same amount of energy expenditure from the user as moderate-intensity exercise.
"Current guidelines recommend that people engage in moderate exercise like walking or doubles tennis about 30 minutes a day, five days a week, to prevent heart disease and stroke," tells Miyachi to WebMD.
"Every day Nintendo continues to attract new people to the world of video games," said Cammie Dunaway, executive vice president of Sales & Marketing, Nintendo of America. "Now, through our retail partnership with Sports Authority, fitness fans have a convenient location to find fitness-related Nintendo products."
Gaming devices for the unfit, in stores on Nov. 19
Having fitness trainers in sports stores seems to be an interesting move by the Sports Authority to attract attention towards its product. Few Selected Sports Authority stores will be opening on Thursday, Nov. 19, with the tagline “We know fit. We know fun”. These stores will sell Wii features and products entirely dedicated in the area of exercising.
There will be a section in the stores where customers will find a Wii interactive fitness experience with "knowledgeable fitness trainers allowing customers to try Wii and Wii Fit Plus before they buy".
According to the company, this is the best way through which users will be able to "satisfy their fitness- and sports-gaming needs under one roof".
Remaining Sports Authority stores will carry these Wii consoles and games somewhere in the spring of 2010.
Amazon jumps in too
Amazon.com has announced that it will be offering special Wii Fit package for $290 along with free shipping, but the offers is up for grab only till Nov. 22.
By purchasing Nintendo’s Wii consoles with Wii-Fit Plus and Balance Board from Amazon.com, consumer will get a $50 gift card and all new set of fitness games coming with the Wii-Fit original games. The games included are Shaun White Skateboarding, Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party, Punch Out and Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games.
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