Wii Injuries – Be Careful!

Our obesity-laden society became this way largely in part to a combination of endless sedentary video-gaming and snacking on high-calorie junk foods. The folks at Wii found a way to use our favorite modern pastime to trick us into having fun and losing weight at the same time! You think you’re just enjoying a simulated game of golf or bowling, but you’re really getting in shape. Sneaky, huh?

As with any physical activity in life, there is a risk of injury. The most common mishap that happened when the Wii was first released was the remote being accidentally chucked at people’s televisions or friends during vigorous play. Hence the addition of the Wii Remote straps that are now standard fare. The Wii even reminds you to place and tighten the strap around your wrist before game play. Even if you do this, the Wii Remote, as well as the Nunchuck, can cause injuries to yourself or others. The key is to make sure there is PLENTY of space around each player. People have received injuries from other players getting a bit too excited during a tennis match and elbowing or backhanding them across the face, but they also risk getting hurt from the surrounding furniture. Swinging a hand into a lamp or up into a ceiling fan can turn into a one-way trip to the ER.

Aside from getting too excited and tearing the house apart, you can also get the standard sports injuries related to exercising while enjoying Wii. Twisted ankles, pulled muscles, and torn tendons can result from having the wrong form or being overzealous during certain Wii-related activities. It’s also possible for you to slip off the Balance Board if you wear socks, so use it when barefoot or with non-slip socks. As always, before you play any physical Wii games, get your doctor’s approval first.

Remember, the Wii is only fun if it doesn’t cause you pain. Be careful and have a great time!

Have A Wii Winter!

Who doesn’t love winter? Even if you don’t, you can enjoy winter sports in the comfort and warmth of your own home. Wii offers several winter-themed games for your family to enjoy!

Wii Winter Sports: The Ultimate Challenge is the original winter sports game for Wii. The Olympics-like atmosphere of the game even has an opening and closing ceremony as well as national anthems and medal ceremonies. Some of the sports in which to compete are Luge, Speed Skating, Skeleton, Skiing, Bobsledding, Curling, and Figure-skating. You can play with up to three other players and you’ll need the Nunchuck. Wii Winter Sports 2: The Ultimate Challenge is as great as the original but also incorporates Biathalon and Snowboarding, and it’s compatible with the Balance Board.

Now, with Wii Ski, you no longer have to wait for the perfect weather conditions to go skiing. At Happy Ski Resort, you customize your Mii to ski alone or with up to three other players. Using your Wii Remote, Nunchuck, and Balance Board for the total experience, traverse the fourteen courses available that include something for Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced skiers. There are also twelve other snow related activities available at Happy Ski Resort! You can even ski at night and earn points to buy new ski gear. Let’s hit the slopes!

For you snowboarders out there who are ten-years-old and up, Shaun White: Snowboarding Road Trip is the Wii game for you. Developed with the Olympic Gold medalist Shaun White, Snowboarding Road Trip is as realistic as you can get without getting out into the white stuff yourself. Grab your Wii Remote, Nunchuck, and Balance Board and get busy with Shaun and your very own crew, touring the world and playing in the snow. You can play solo or in two- or four-player mode.

Don’t forget that Wii Fit also incorporates several winter sports into the game to help you get into the best shape that you can! It’s a winter wonderland!

Yoga Wii

If your favorite part of Wii Fit is the Yoga, then look forward to a new release for Wii in early 2009: Yoga Wii by JoWooD. Using your Balance Board, stretch and balance your way to fitness. Yoga Wii is a wonderful compliment to Wii Fit, My Fitness Coach, and Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2009, and gives you a chance to expand your workout repertoire.

Yoga, which means “union” in Sanskrit, is an ancient spiritual practice originating in India. It has been mainstreamed in modern times as a form of exercise. Yoga uses different poses, postures, and breathing techniques to stretch and strengthen the body and improve flexibility. Many find it to be challenging and effective, yet relaxing and calming. There are many different styles of Yoga, each with it’s own individual features and benefits.

There are a number of accessories for the Wii Balance Board that can aid in your Yoga practice. You can purchase the Wii Fit Yoga Mat separately or with wrist/ankle weights. You can also get the mat in the Wii Fit Work-Out Kit, or the Wii 5-In-1 Fitness Bundle.

Stay tuned for more information on Yoga Wii!