The latest version of Wii Fit U extends the exercise routines to the Wii Gamepad and introduces a pedometer to get you out and about as well. All this is wrapped up with the usual Nintendo attention to detail that makes my family as keen to use it as our more traditional games.

I’ve been following with our series of Wii Fit U diary videos looking at a real world example of using Wii Fit U. These look at how a normal person gets on with the program (rather than the already perfectly toned individuals usually seen using it), and has highlighted that you need to adjust your approach to Wii Fit U to get the most out of it.

Week 1



Week 2



Week 3



Week 4



Linking this to our family Miis (which my nephews spent hours tweaking) to create a separate profile on Wii Fit U further underlined the personalised approach the game takes. You may think this will make things too competitive, seeing how we were improving compared to each other, but the way Wii Fit U keeps these separate seems to avoid too many comparisons and lets us each get on with working towards better health in our own different ways.

Rounding this off are some nice little touches that make a big difference. Firstly, the game now highlights the muscles you are using as you do each exercise -- not only a nice incentive but also makes sense of where you feel the “burn”. Also, being able to use the camera on the Wii U Gamepad to see myself exercise in a mirror mode meant that I could see how accurately I was performing each activity.

If you’ve not used Wii Fit or similar games before, Wii Fit U is well worth a look on Nintendo’s new console – particularly in a family of (inevitably) varying shapes and sizes. If you have used the older version you can import your progress and take advantage of the new routines. If you are prepared to put some effort into tailoring the right program for your goals Wii Fit U is a great way to start the new year.

Photo: Courtesy of Andy Robertson
Published: January 21, 2014