Wii and martial art fitness

[Brother John]

Martial ability?? no

Exercise? YES....there's a few out there.
I've heard some good things about this one: http://wiifit.com/

Your Brother
John

 

[tempus]

I think a lot of people on this thread may be surprised how bad they woul be on the quick thinking balance games. Move two bottom paddles with shifting your weight and moving a controller in the opposite direction, but doing having to do it in a quick time before acolored ball falls into the wrong bucket. Then speed it up with multiple colored balls. Not a substitute for the dojo, but a goos supplement for a work out at home when wanting to do something different.

 

[Carol]

It's something different, but does it really offer a benefit or martial arts? From what I can tell by playing around with the Wii, it is fairly easy to spoof it, to a degree. The controller can register motion with very little effort.

There are some minor supplemental benefits to playing games, such as increased hand-eye coordination, but I really don't see the games as a way of improving oneself, unless a person was completely sedentary and needed a substantial boost to get themselves active again.

I have no issue with video games, I'm a gamer myself. I just think that they are better as recreation than training...and the best reason to play games is because you enjoy them, not because you want to improve your skills.

A better strategy would be to put in the time on the mat, or in practice at home, then reward yourself by playing a game you like.

 

[l_uk3y]

Improve Martial arts ability???

Super Nintendo - Killer Instinct. 45+ hit combo's FTW.

Seriously. I guess some balance board stuff maybe useful but you would get much better results out of a yoga/tai chi classes or similar.
Get out there and do the real thing

Luke

 

[tempus]

I am not understanding why you cannot use it to improve balance? From what I have played there was some tough balance games on there? It cannot simulate defense against an attack, a kata or grappling, but I feel it can work core and balance. My wife has used it from a fitness standpoint and she has toned, increased balance/posture and mental relaxation. Everyone trains based on what they feel is correct for them. My opinion is if I cannot get to the dojo and I want to do something different then hit weights at home I work on the balance games. Of course the damn board does not take in muscle weight and it gives me a pudgy MII