Trends: Getting a Workout with The Wii Fit

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Many people have complainted that video games glue people to the couch. But there is a new trend in the game world that is getting people moving while playing.

Nintendo changed the way people play video games when they released the Wii. The games are designed to have gamers standing, swinging and turning their way to winning scores.

But the newly released Wii Fit is changing the gaming world again. This time it's attracting to people who have never played video games before. And they are grabbing the game control for what may seem like an odd reason, to exercise.

"I don't feel comfortable going to a gym," says Saronda Semos, a new Wii Fit gamer. "So doing the Wii fit here at home, I feel more comfortable."

Saronda's husband, Rob, has played video games for years. But she has had no desire to play until the Wii game into their home.

Saronda says she played the bowling game a little bit on the Wii. But when the Wii Fit came out, they rushed to the store to get one.

"It takes the game part that I like, the competitiveness and brings that into the fitness part of it," says Rob Semos.

The Semos family uses the Wii fit sometimes several times a day at their home in St. Johns County.

Each member of their family has a character of themselves that is displayed on the screen.

Everytime I player logs onto the Wii Fit it tracks the person's weight and BMI (body mass index). On the screen you can see a chart showing your progress.

Rob Semos says the regular reminder of his weight and the weight he has lost encourages him to play more.

"I am down 12 pounds in just over two weeks," says Rob Semos.

There are a variety of exercises to get you moving on the Wii Fit.

Rob likes to work on his balance by simulating walking on a tight rope.

He also regularly runs with the Wii Fit. After running the short distance run for a few minutes he is sweating. "I don't jog that much," says Rob Semos. "But I am out of breath and my heart is going."

He runs in place in front of the TV or around his living room all while holding the Wii remote. It tracks his pace and speed.

Saronda likes the yoga exercises. There is an instructor on the game that shows her how to do each move.

"It (the game) will tell you if you are a little off or need to slow down," says Saronda.

The balance board that comes with the Wii Fit is able to track her balance and movements to find out if she is doing the poses correctly.

The Semos say the Wii Fit is bringing them together.

"The Wii Fit is the only game we've done together," says Rob. "She's not a big fan of the other Xbox or Playstation stuff."

Carol Carillo is also not your typical video gamer. She bought the Wii for her grandson.

"When I realized that it would come out with a fitness program, I thought, 'Hmmm..two birds with one stone,'" says Carillo. "My grandson can play with it when he visits on weekends, and I can use it during the week."

Sellers of the Wii say the Wii Fit is bringing many women into the gaming world for the first time.

"It's pretty much a demographic that's untouched, untapped into," says Steve Leonard with Game Crazy. "I think it just widens up everything. They (women) see what they can do with the games, with the Wii fit in particular."

The Wii Fit sells for about $90. Of course you'll first need the Wii game console which cost about $250.