Is Playing Wii the Same as Exercising?

So, as you all probably know, there is a video game system called the Nintendo Wii. It doesn't have the graphics of an Xbox 360 or the online gameplay of a PS3. Then you may be asking yourself, why play the Wii? Well, because what makes the Wii system unique is the fact that it reads your motions, making you actually do the motions to different activities, rather than just moving a joystick on a controller.

This brings a very interesting question to mind. Is playing Wii the same as exercising? Well this is very interesting. I feel it isn't however. Even though you are doing motions, they are mostly moving your arms and don't take a lot of effort. As long as you don't go over the top when playing Wii, trust me I know people who do, the Wii isn't very much exercise. Take the game Wii fit for example. Now there is a running game that can be very equivalent to actual running if done right. But, it is very easy to cheat and just move one arm by itself like my brother does. I think this is because when there is an easy way to do something, sometimes people take the easy way out because they don't feel like putting forth effort. Sure my brother doesn't do this in every game, but the simple fact that he can and does just helps back my point.

Some may argue that when playing tennis on the Wii it is very similar to regular tennis and can tire you. This is bologna. Unless you are extremely out of shape, the tennis is not very tiresome, I mean you don't even have to move you legs!

Now I have nothing against the Wii, as I am an avid Wii player myself, but playing the Wii cannot replace the actual activity as exercise, for now at least. I would be more than happy to change my mind in the future if Wii became more defined and more active, as that would be awesome and would be much more convenient than having to go outside to you backyard or to a park. You could just go to you basement and play video games. What a great thing that would be. But for now nothing can beat the actual activity of exercising in the crisp, fresh, open air.

"Left: Wii video game console, http://www.wiijournal.com"