Times Online offers 'Wii warm-ups' before gaming
by Tony Carnevale 
{ Apr 17th 2007 at 2:24PM }
Another day, another sensationalistic article about the hazards of Wii gaming. But this one's got a special bonus at the end -- a list of "Wii warm-ups" from Tim Hutchful of the British Chiropractic Association. Wanna prevent "Wii elbow?" Then shrug those shoulders! Stretch that wrist! Relax that lower back!Despite the warm-up suggestions, the article concludes that you should avoid the Wii, "save £179 and buy a pair of tennis rackets instead." Um, yeah, if we wanted to play real tennis, we would have done that, Times Online. The great thing about Wii Sports is that it's semi-real exercise that's actually fun for those of us who otherwise would only be using the muscles involved in opening a fridge. Give us enough time for the bedsores to heal, then maybe we'll think about these "tennis rackets" you speak of. (Do they carry them at Gamestop?)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ken @ Apr 17th 2007 2:52PM
Because the ONLY thing you do on the Wii is play tennis.
Alex @ Apr 17th 2007 2:52PM
you made a great point, I already own tennis racquets and still play Wii sports occasionally.
Slaziman @ Apr 17th 2007 3:06PM
The thing is, you can play the Wii in the comfort of your own home. Unless you got a tennis court in your backyard, real tennis isn't as easy to pick up as the Wii, what with getting in the right clothes, driving to the tennis court, and constantly chasing balls. And you can't even play while sitting on the couch!
Vidikron @ Apr 17th 2007 3:23PM
The article really isn't that far off-base. All it's really saying is that the Wii really isn't the solution to childhood obesity. Which is absolutely true. The Wii may cause kids to be a bit more active than traditional games, but it's far, far from a true workout. And, yes, it actually can cause repetative motion injuries. I remember reading a bunch of comments about joint pains and the like after the system launched. I has some weird pains in my own arm after playing bowling all weekend, but I never got an actual workout.
OhJustSomeRandomGuy @ Apr 17th 2007 3:29PM
"Give us enough time for the bedsores to heal, then maybe we'll think about these "tennis rackets" you speak of. (Do they carry them at Gamestop?)"
I think they do, but you'll have to preorder them.
atlnative @ Apr 17th 2007 4:41PM
A Wii warm-up? That's just sad...
Koopaknight29 @ Apr 17th 2007 6:11PM
"I think they do, but you'll have to preorder them."
Sadly they'll probably force you to buy the over-expensive bundles that comes with ball warmers, official 3rd party grip glove, sweat bands (in seven different color!) and a 30 day "satisfaction" guarentee. Oh and they are always "sold out" when you get there.
sovietdancinbear @ Apr 17th 2007 6:54PM
This article is very timely, now I know how to stretch before doing anything even remotely physical also that the name "Wii" can be used in semi-humorous puns best saved for segways from the news desk to whoever is cooking with morning talk show host.
Grant @ Apr 17th 2007 6:49PM
thats a disappointment, times is usually a pretty good, unbiased source. This is kinda missing the point of how the wii is good for exercise. The point isn't to REPLACE your exercise with the wii, but for people that don't exercise, this maybe their only saving grace, because it's fun too.
I swear, the things professional journalists put out these days makes me really wonder how low the bar has sunk.