As most everything nowadays has turned hi-tech, workouts have quickly followed suit. Being that most of the nation's youth (and even older generations as well) fixated on gaming, be it online or through other consoles, Nintendo Wii has taken the opportunity to capitalize on that fact and introduced a way for gamers to workout without heading to the gym. Especially with their big push during the holiday season Nintendo is selling the Wii Fit, Wii Fit Plus booster packs, and an array of other Wii Fit related games with some touting celebrity endorsements as with Jenny McCarthy's new Your Shape Wii Fitness Game. With the concept as marketing exercise as 'fun, easy, and just like play video games,' the company does at least get credit for doing something in the way of promoting a healthier lifestyle than simply vegging on the couch, eating Cheetos, and playing video games for hours.

However, how effective a workout can you really get from a game system hooked up to your TV? Firstly, the notion being spread around that you don't have to feel uncomfortable at all while exercising is not true. The fact of the matter is, in order to reap the benefits of any type of exercise or workout routine, you DO need to offer up a level of excretion. People need to debunk the myth that they can easily, painlessly, and without any real effort get themselves fit and lose pounds. If it were so easy, then everyone would be slim, trim, and ready to run miles and miles, and obesity wouldn't be the issue it has become.

Coming back to the Wii, the campaign is a rather brilliant idea since it gives a certain marketability to fitness, especially for younger kids. At least by getting once sedentary gamers up and moving at all is a step in the right direction. The game itself come equipped with the balance board and offers four categories of workouts: yoga, muscle, aerobic, and balance. They range in difficulty and if you are actually going to use it as your sole form of exercise, you should focus more on the harder ends of the aerobic and muscles genres.

Just like any class, workout tape, or trip to the gym, the goal needs to be getting your heart rate elevated to burn calories and stress your muscles. Simply standing or gently stretching in a few yoga poses simply isn't going to do it. Sadly, much too many people have the mindset that it will be a breeze, and will pick the easiest poses and then later pat themselves on the back for being 'good' and getting their workout in, when in reality that just isn't the case. While you won't be melting the pounds off, the Wii is a good first step if you are fearful of heading to the gym.

A workout really comes down to what you put into it, and if you are going to use the Wii, challenge yourself and check your heart rate. You want to aim to keep your pulse elevated to about 80% of your maximum level for at least 30 minutes. Your target heart rate varies depending on age, gender, and other factors, but use the chart as a guide and then keep tabs on yourself during the workout. If you see your pulse dip, kick it up a notch. You want to feel like you're working out at least a moderately high level of intensity, and by the end you should be tired. There is no magic game, device, pill, or genie to instantly give you results; the power lies in you and the effort you put in.

By mixing cardio activity and strength training moves you can do your workout wherever, and that includes in your living room. Jogging in place, jumping rope, or dancing can be done in an enclosed area, and get your heart pumping. You can create your own program without spending money on the game or device by alternating between bouts of cardio and strength exercises. Do five minutes of running in place, then a set of 15 push-up, another 5 minutes of jumping rope, and a set of 15 squats. Continue in that pattern varying the cardio of choice and other strength moves for a total of at least 30 minutes. Check your pulse intermittently to ensure it's at the right level, and you will have accomplished a good workout.

The Wii Fit could just be to this era what Jane Fonda was with her workout videos back in the 80's. If you need something to keep you accountable to getting your workout in, then the Wii can help as it does offer that. It is a good ploy to make exercise appealing to kids, and if that is the initiative they need to work fitness into their day, that's a great first step. The bottom line is it is better than doing nothing, yet isn't anything that you couldn't do at the gym or on your own; and there are better options available.