Lose weight by playing Wii Sports

by Blake Snow { Jan 16th 2007 at 2:25PM }

Rocky-inspired Philadelphian hey_suburbia decided to put Wii Sports to the diet test back in early December. The idea was to see if the game could help him shed unwanted pounds when played with full, exaggerated movements. He continued his normal activity and eating habits only adding 30 minutes of Wii Sports to his daily routine. The results after six weeks? He lost 9 pounds.

He writes: "According to The American Council on Exercise, I went from being in the 'acceptable' category to being in the 'fitness' category... I lost almost 2% of my body fat by doing nothing more than playing [motion] video games for an extra 30 minutes everyday."

In terms of which games produced the greatest amount of weight loss, Wii Boxing burned an impressive 125 calories/half hour followed by Tennis at 92 calories/half hour and Bowling at 77 calories/half hour. A lot of husky kids just got some powerful ammunition in convincing mom to buy them a Wii.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Paul Gale @ Jan 16th 2007 2:32PM

Very cool study. I wonder how many other Wii-related fitness stories will come up as a result. Nintendo has a gold mine here. I can now see Wii consoles popping up in YMCA's and other gyms across the nation.
Paul Gale
1up.com

Kevin @ Jan 16th 2007 2:36PM

I don't. I burn 500 cals/hr on an ellpitical at my gym. People serious about their health will take the Wii as a toy, like they should.

Norm @ Jan 16th 2007 2:46PM

Kevin, get off it with that meathead crap. We play video games here, and aim to justify our hobby accordingly.

Jonathan Tran @ Jan 16th 2007 2:47PM

Kevin,

You just cited the elliptical at about 2x the rate as wii sports.

which is good, but, for most gamers the question is..

is the elliptical 2x more fun than playing a wii? hahahah

oh well now we will def get one, though I'm sure DDR is still better. Plus a wii doesn't have a membership fee or annoying sales reps. Does Mario count?

Eric @ Jan 16th 2007 2:49PM

Doesn't anyone else think the picture on the right looks fake? That stomach line is a little too flat to be real........

EihBeir @ Jan 16th 2007 2:52PM

That's an...interesting silhouette.

Someone should tell that guy that the bulge goes on the front...you know, for the next time he decides to doctor a picture.

Erik Novak @ Jan 16th 2007 2:53PM

Meanwhile, I've been doing an hour on the eliptical 6 times a week w/ lifting and I've lost 5 lbs. in a month. Sometimes I think something is wrong with me.

Norm @ Jan 16th 2007 2:59PM

Jonathan, just get mario DDR for the gamecube. Its just like regular DDR, but the music is a DIFFERENT kind of annoying.

Scott @ Jan 16th 2007 3:00PM

I don't think its fake, there wasn't too much in the before photo and how many would remember how far they sucked their gut in before anyway.

Not sure about the lighting but it looks like he lost hair off the top of his head, maybe wii boxing is too much stress...

Ken @ Jan 16th 2007 3:00PM

As someone who goes to the gym daily and has lost 65 pounds in the last year, I can tell you that 500cal/hour isn't that much. Also, many trainers will tell you that you will see better results if you split your workout in two, doing half in the morning and half in the evening. Gym in the am and Wii in the pm sounds like an excellent way to accomplish this.

The Intangible Fact @ Jan 16th 2007 3:01PM

Wut is this BS?! The Wiiz is a gimmick and this is all BS to get housewomen to buy the stuid gimmick.

PS3 + tredmill = MORE POWER then this stupid diet plan.

Fred T @ Jan 16th 2007 3:01PM

Im training for my 4th marathon, I dont need this.

PerfectBowler @ Jan 16th 2007 3:01PM

Did everyone look over the fact that he's wearing the same shoes, shirt, and watch. I'm surprised he didn't have a newspaper next to the door with the same day on it in both pictures. May your next claim to fame be a masterpiece.

crono141 @ Jan 16th 2007 3:05PM

It seems I need to apologize to Intangible Fact. He's not a Sony fanboy. He's being sarcastic.

Dunno whats more sad, that I fell for it, or that it was so convincing.

Collision891 @ Jan 16th 2007 3:09PM

#13,

Yeah its completely ridiculous to think that he may have some sort of workout clothes, or is just wearing the same clothes for a more accurate comparison. That would just be absurd.

PS. How many different watches do YOU have?

prsrobster @ Jan 16th 2007 3:10PM

PerfectBowler, Excellent observation! Something I noticed though is the lightswitches are different so if he was doctoring, he did a pretty thourough job of it. Also look at the fan type of thing on the left!

Jonathan Tran @ Jan 16th 2007 3:11PM

If you read the ACTUAL ARTICLE there are many more pictures, so please don't just try to discredit this without reading.

Also, Joystiq put the wrong figures; he measured those calories per 15 min, not 30

Norm @ Jan 16th 2007 3:11PM

http://wiinintendo.net/2007/01/15/wii-sports-experiment-results/

Here is the site with graphs and additional images and movies for you to criticize.

alexanderwales @ Jan 16th 2007 3:15PM

"It seems I need to apologize to Intangible Fact. He's not a Sony fanboy. He's being sarcastic. Dunno whats more sad, that I fell for it, or that it was so convincing."

I'm almost convinced that there are no Sony fanboys left - part of me thinks that everyone saying they support the PS3 is just trying to start an argument.

Szu @ Jan 16th 2007 3:15PM

Well, let's see. In the last six weeks, I've been playing with my Wii and I actually put on about five pounds. Granted, I got a few things to factor in.

1. I play Zelda: TP more than I play Wii Sports. Therefore, I'm not really getting an extremely good cardio workout.

2. It's the holiday season, so I actually ate more food.

And most importantly,

3. I train with weights five times a week. And I'm in bulk mode right now.

I guess when spring comes along and I go into cut mode. I'll switch over to Wii Sports. Well, that and a modifed diet routine with tons of cardio.

PerfectBowler @ Jan 16th 2007 3:18PM

#15

8 or so, but I typically don't wear converse to work out in. That and you can see where he used the clone stamp to sample from. I do this stuff for a living.

Fatass of Kickassness @ Jan 16th 2007 3:18PM

Ugh. Intangible Fact, why don't you just stop spewing your fanboy bullshit and leave the commenting to those of us who actually have a brain?

Anyway, I seriously doubt that Wii Sports was the only contributor to his weight loss.

Gary @ Jan 16th 2007 3:19PM

Man, that sure is one perfectly flat stomach.

Food for Thought, is he including Thanksgiving, and ______ (random holiday) meals in his "regular eating"? 9 pounds in six weeks isn't so drastic for somebody his size (i'm same size) My weight usually goes up during november, december, and down in January, regardless if I exercise or not. Oh, and yeah, i pretty much wear the same shoes and pants, (well, most of the time anyway) It'd be cool if this is a legit study, but I'm a skeptic. Still can't wait to get a Wii... Whenever I find one.....

alexanderwales @ Jan 16th 2007 3:19PM

From the website:

"These pictures were taken using the same lighting, same camera, same time of day, and I tried to stand in the same position. No “sucking in” or “tightening up”, all four shots were taken under the same exact conditions as much as I could control."

Szu @ Jan 16th 2007 3:19PM

As an added side note, I've found that curling Xbox 360 power supplies are a great way to build your biceps.

Shagi @ Jan 16th 2007 3:28PM

Paul Gale?

Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't you the Rtard who gave Lost Planet a 61%? Having nearly completed it and already having completed Gears of War I'd have to say that Lost Planet is way better than Gears. I'd also go so far as to say that lost planet is easily a system seller.

Reviewers like Paul Gale giving great games a bad name is the very reason why I only give reviews a passing glance anymore. Theres more gameplay and game mechanics in a few levels of LP than there is across the entire game of GOW.

Please don't listen to reviewers like Paul Gale, hes obviously and Rtard.

Gary @ Jan 16th 2007 3:31PM

okay, after looking at the article, looks more realistic, and the photos are a larger size, and it doesn't appear to be doctored at all. Good job to this guy.

navstar @ Jan 16th 2007 3:31PM

Damn! That boy's HAWT in either photo! Yummm-E

Joseph Villalobos @ Jan 16th 2007 3:42PM

Maybe I really should start playing more!

Meow @ Jan 16th 2007 3:50PM

I'd hit it. Either before or after.

Cold-hearted bastard @ Jan 16th 2007 3:51PM

I'd like to see "before-after" pictures for those guys that play WoW 8 hours a day.

On second thought, no I don't.

grable @ Jan 16th 2007 4:08PM

Se he went from having a normal build to being extra skinny?
How is that good?

Mr. Khan @ Jan 16th 2007 4:39PM

Please don't let this start

Wii Sports is not an excercise engine, a gimmick, or a demo

Its a friggin pack in game (although excellent as pack-ins go). Take the game for what it is...

Orangecoke @ Jan 16th 2007 4:42PM

"Did everyone look over the fact that he's wearing the same shoes, shirt, and watch. "

I think a lot of guys have 1 pair of workout (or casual) shoes and 1 watch. Strange observation.

Matt @ Jan 16th 2007 4:45PM

Did anyone bother to check the math on this one?

1lb of fat = approx 3000 calories

Using the max 125 cal/half hr for Wii boxing:

250cal/hr * 0.5 hrs/day * 42 days = 5250 calories

5250 cals / 3000 cal/lb of fat = 1.75 lbs

Sorry kids, that 9 pounds is BS.

is @ Jan 16th 2007 4:48PM

So youre telling me that I can sit and play games and burn no calories, or I can play games and burn calories?

Haha, its so funny when people try to downtalk anything positive in something, presumably because that havnt chosen to buy that something.

If only wii sports were online, I could see me playing it in longer sessions. I could quite easily spend a couple hours a day playing tennis if I had a worthy opponent.

Darke @ Jan 16th 2007 4:49PM

Okay, that guy looks like he lost muscle mass and tone, he looks significantly less healthy in the 2nd picture.

Zegim @ Jan 16th 2007 4:56PM

When I reach home after a day at school and stuff, I just want to play something for fun. Now, if I can have fun and at the same time I can loss some extra calories, that's pretty neat.

jchensor @ Jan 16th 2007 5:25PM

Geez, Shagi. Far be it for someone to actually have, oh I dunno, an OPINION on something. And, heaven forbid, an opinion that ISN'T conforming to everyone else? Mr. Gale says he doesn't like Lost Planet and he's an RTard? Just 'cause he's in the minority of opinions?

Well guess what, Shagi, the world seems to like the Wii and you don't. Doesn't that make YOU an RTard?

religiousjedi @ Jan 16th 2007 5:31PM

I outta pop in Wii Sports more often...

Geostar @ Jan 16th 2007 5:49PM

Anyone who has played Wii sports boxing standing up will testify that boxing 3 rounds will increase your heart rate and at least get you energized, if not tired. One thing is for sure, its a better workout than sitting on the couch and pressing buttons.

Lord of Hair @ Jan 16th 2007 5:58PM

what the what no mention of eyetoy Kinetic or Kinetic Combat?, dude if he palyed that instead he would have lost weight faster, built muscle tone etc etc

I've only played Wii Sports once but I just know it can't touch Kinetic for working out, though Wii's probably more fun

-Stevie aka Lord of Hair

Killer Instinct @ Jan 16th 2007 6:39PM

i remember getting a sweat on my old powerpad playing that running game for an hour or so

ackmondual @ Jan 16th 2007 7:04PM

@ #11
""PS3 + tredmill = MORE POWER then this stupid diet plan.""

heh, many don't wanna spend $600 for a PS3, now you're suggesting they get both? Time to raid the 401K. Many ppl aren't motivated enough to get the full value out of most treadmills out there as well.

Kcon @ Jan 16th 2007 9:21PM

Im trying a video game diet just to see what happens.

Ive got Wii sports, eye toy groove and kinetic, and DDr.

DDR wins easily for most calories burned. Eye toy kinetic does slightly better than wii sports and groove.

But they all do burn calories, it shouldnt even be a question. Its not proffesional gym quality but it does do more than you would think.

Kcon @ Jan 16th 2007 9:25PM

Matt it doesnt quite work like that. Weight loss is dependant on alot more than just direct calories burned.

When you excercise it increases your metabolism for a while after you stop, your body is still in accelerated mode.

DJ @ Jan 16th 2007 10:07PM

Playing an extra 30 minutes of video games, 3-5x/week is not going to make you exercise LESS...

Activity begets activity. I think playing around like this will only make people MORE motivated to go outside and exercise too... especially fat lazy slobs.

Brian Sexton @ Jan 16th 2007 10:48PM

"Szu" wrote:
> As an added side note, I've found that curling Xbox 360 power supplies are a great way to build your biceps.

I do not think my biceps are ready for one-handed Xbox 360 power supply curls; I am still struggling with two-handed Xbox 360 power supply curls and relying on a spotter so I don't crush my feet or make a hole in the floor if I drop it.

Paul Gale @ Jan 16th 2007 11:29PM

This response is to "Shagi"'s comment about me in the "27th" spot.

First of all, I didn't write the review of Lost Planet. That was done by Greg Ford. (You can easily see his name and his review right here: http://www.gamerankings.com/itemrankings/launchreview.asp?reviewid=753413)

Secondly, his score and his opinions are his own to make, just like every other reviewer out there.

And finally, I'm not an Rtard. In the future, I'd recommend you doing a little research first to see who wrote what, etc., before you go out and insult someone for no good reason. Don't be so quick to jump the gun man and remember, not everyone has to share the same opinion on every game.

What I'd recommend you do is find a reviewer that you think has a similar taste to your own. Either that, or perhaps you can go by the average score of what a particular game has received across several media outlets, like joystiq, 1up, and ign to name a few.

And to try and stay on the subject of this article's story, if you lose 750 calories a day and do so for 42 days (6 weeks), that'll amount to 31,500 calories (9 pounds). One pound of fat is made up of 3,500 calories. Also, when you lose weight, you not only lose fat, but muscle as well. It really depends on what type of activity you're doing: anaerobic vs. aerobic.

I have a Bachelor's of Science in Kinesiology, so that's the back-up for my comment. If any of you at Joystiq ever need some physical fitness/health nutrition advice, feel free to ask. Us gamers have to stick together.
Paul Gale
1up.com