When I asked someone about their new Nintendo Wii after having just got it, the first thing I heard from them was, "I got tired doing the boxing." If you've played Wii Sports, one thing you will notice is that if you really get into the game, you do end up getting tired and working up a good sweat, which made me wonder how reliable and likely could Wii Sports be as an actual exercise program. So join with me as I strap my sweatband on and get those calories burning.

I'm not a scientist and frankly I was terrible at the subject to begin with anyways, so this Wii Sports exercise workout study was strictly as close to scientific as I could get (or think up). For starters, for one whole work week (Monday – Friday) I put in my copy of Wii Sports at 4PM and played non-stop until I had a Wii Fitness Score (which was always done first and without the nunchuk attached which means that no boxing games were ever used for my Wii Fitness Score) followed by one game of Tennis (Best of 5), one game of Baseball, one game of Bowling, one game of Golf (all nine courses) and then three games of Boxing. The lineup of games didn't change and I finished up after every game rotation was done, as there were no set times as in "will stop after 60 minutes of play". After every other day I checked my weight (at 6PM on the dot each day) from the previous measure to see what the results were. There was no other exercise for the week and there was no diet implemented either; I ate what I always eat and whatever I felt like. Also, it is important to remember that I tried to emulate the sport exactly as it was being played, meaning that when it came to tennis I was bent at the knees and really swinging as if there were a racket in my hands, I took a baseball stance like I once used during little league games and followed through exactly, and the same applies to golf and the ducking and weaving of boxing.

So with all the technical mumbo jumbo out of the way, let us see what the daily results were and some thoughts on each one. Note: There was no accounting for amount of time spent boxing or number of rounds – simply played three games until I won, loss, or ended up going to decision.

BEGINNING WEIGHT
164 pounds and 8 ounces

I'm usually always below 160 pounds, but after a Christmas filled with parties and the assorted ham sandwiches, pigs in a blanket, and the other assortment of food you can just quickly down one after the next without any consequences, a few pounds were added.

MONDAY
Wii Fitness Score: 23
Tennis Results: 0-3
Baseball Results: 30-6
Bowling Results: 205
Golf Results: +4
Daily Time: 57 minutes

After the first day of the program I was dead tired and sweating buckets. I also found myself heavily out of breath and just needing to sit down to rest for a good bit of time before doing anything else. I sucked at tennis and the games were over rather quick, so there wasn't much going on there, but I did a great job at baseball and bowling as well. Golf was pitiful with a +4 score.

TUESDAY
Wii Fitness Score: 25
Tennis Results: 0-3
Baseball Results: 11-9
Bowling Results: 189
Golf Results: 0
Daily Time: 53 minutes

Once again, I suck at tennis. I'm getting schooled left and right, and though I'm returning a good amount of balls before losing the point, I'm still not doing well to play the tennis for long stretches. The amount of time spent working out was greatly reduced, partially because both baseball and golf ended with quicker outcomes. I'm still tired and chugging down water after the daily workout, and my back is getting real wet with all the exercise.

WEDNESDAY
Wii Fitness Score: 24
Tennis Results: 3-2
Baseball Results: 4-3
Bowling Results: 177
Golf Results: -3
Daily Time: 55 minutes

Here is where the tennis abilities really started to kick in at this higher level, because not only was I returning a lot of shots back and forth with the computer (meaning lots and lots of arms swings and abdomen pivots) but more games also meant even more time with the tennis. Baseball was short and to the point with a close game, and though my bowling results sucked, a –3 in golf is one that I can't complain with at all. The biggest change, however, is felt in the physical conditioning, because though I haven't weighed myself yet, my stomach does seem to be in a little more than usual, plus I'm not nearly as tired anymore as the first day or even the second. Actually, the recovery time was pretty light after today. After checking my weight I'm surprised to have it listed at a great 160.4 pounds, a whole 4 pounds and 4 ounces lighter than when I started.

THURSDAY
Wii Fitness Score: 22
Tennis Results: 3-0
Baseball Results: 5-3
Bowling Results: 184
Golf Results: -1
Daily Time: 62 minutes

With the weight loss in my head, I'm pumped when I find myself looking at a 22 Wii Fitness Score (which is a whole two years younger than what I actually am). I also make quick work of the tennis competition and am highly impressed. Also, as has been the trend of recent, I ended the day (though having played more Wii Sports than any other day so far) feeling less tired I did earlier in the week and with a shorter time as well. So far not only does it appear that I'm losing weight with Wii Sports, but it is improving my stamina as well.