GET OFF YOUR @$$ AND PLAY SOME VIDEO GAMES!

I have discovered a new video game addiction: exercise

That's right, I've jumped on the bandwagon and bought Wii Fit, and I couldn't be happier. Wii Fit is the latest pet project of Shigeru Miyamoto, creator of Mario, Zelda, Pikmin, Star Fox, Donkey Kong, and world peace (okay maybe not...but he could.) The game comes packaged with the Wii Balance Board, the latest in an already long line of Wii peripheral attachments that include the Nunchuck, Classic Controller, Wii Wheel, Wii Zapper, and countless third party Wii Sports attachments. As annoying (and expensive) as it sounds, it brings a tear to my eye as I remember the days of the NES Zapper, NES Advantage (used to control the Statue of Liberty in Ghostbusters 2), NES Power Pad, R.O.B. the Robot, and the Power Glove ("it's so bad.")

Lucas: the only human to ever succeed at a game using the Power Glove

While seeming like a simple gimmick, the board is actually a well-made and very accurate weight and center-of-balance measuring device. The software itself is no joke either...it works. Sure, I still run and swim on a regular basis and it definitely won't replace a good weight set, but the exercises it does have work. It has several modes, allowing you to do a body check, keep a log of activities done during the day, and set goals for yourself. As a fitness coach it does pretty well. The little Balance Board character that talks to you is encouraging; scolding you when you skip a day and complementing you when you drop weight or earn a lower "Wii Fit Age." The yoga is fun to do, and provides some welcome stretching. I've always been curious of yoga, and this kind of helps me get into it without buying a tape set. The strength exercises are very good, for the most part, the "push ups with side planks" are hell, which is good for a complete work-out-nut-job like myself.

My favorite part has to be the fact that the game rewards you for doing the exercise right (as much as it can by only being able to monitor your balance.) The game employs classical operant conditioning in a way that makes the exercises more meaningful for your body than if you were just doing them incorrectly on your own. For example, during the push-ups, the game whistles when you are to go up and down, and there are red "target areas" on the on-screen workout monitor that show when your push-up is supposed to be happening. If you do the push-up according to the whistles and the monitor, the red bar turns yellow and a pleasant chime plays. If you hit the push-ups at the right time, the trainer not only tells you that you are doing a good job, you get a high point total at the end of the workout as well. Similarly, on the yoga workout, it shows a yellow circle which is the "optimal balance area" and challenges you to keep a red dot in the center of it.

Push ups and side planks, harder than you think...

This kind of conditioning is essential in video games, as it teaches players what the conditions for victory are and trains the player to recognize opportunities that will lead them forward in the game. Wii Fit is special in that it uses operant conditioning and reinforcement to promote health and fitness. It even allows the player to set goals for themselves. The long-term goal becomes the player's set "weight goal" while the short-term goal becomes the amount of weight shed per day or week. It further encourages these goals by allowing players to put any time doing non-Wii Fit exercise into a fitness log. There are days when I don't even do a workout on the Wii, but still take time to do my body test and log my other workouts, still reaping the benefits of the operant conditioning when the Balance Board character congratulates me.

The game tracks your progress and rewards you for achieving goals

The best part of this simple system of positive reinforcement for fitness is that it appeals to a wide audience, not just those falling into the "gamer" stereotype. My girlfriend gladly plays Wii Fit, and it has become her "gateway game" of sorts. Because of Wii Fit, I've convinced her to be my thesis guinea pig and play Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past as part of my research on operant conditioning in gamespace and games.

That, however, is another story for another time...