"I was realising that my kids took part in no outdoor activity and wanted something that would peak their interest while indoors, but at the same time have them active. I thought this was a good way to keep the family together, and since I believed we needed it, it was really the best way into luring everyone into exercising" says a chuckling Sheron Welsh, a Business Manager who is an ardent Wii Fit supporter.
Wii Fit is an electronic device, which contains games and programs that raises one's heart rate and assesses your basic fitness; in other words, it's like your own perfect little home gym.
It acts as your personal physical trainer who evaluates your weight, and guides you on the best diet.
Sheron saw many exercising programmes, but somehow the Wii Fit stood out, and from her words, she believes it is the next best thing after a physical gym. "When I started the Wii Fit, I saw and felt a significant difference, because normally it would take me three or four visits to the gym to feel any tightness or pain. But somehow with the Wii I felt that immediate burn and pulling of muscles.
"At first I doubted it, I really thought it was not going to work, but when I tried the different programmes like Yoga or the strength trainer, I was really impressed. There are programmes to tone muscles, or just work on arms and legs and the best programme is the abs (abdominal) toner. "There was a board that I stepped on at the very beginning, which prompted the machine to ask a series of questions such as my name, height, date of birth and weight. It then tested my balance and instantly told me what I needed to work on to center myself, in order to achieve the perfect posture and weight. "It then asked me what I wanted to achieve from my workout and directed me to the best programme I should follow in order to get my required results," states Sheron.
"I thought that since it was a machine I could relax when I wanted to and return to it when the need arose, but the machine is programmed in such a way that no one can cheat. If I take too long to return to my basic training; which is three times a week, it will raise alarming questions and statements. "Sometimes it says 'Sheron I haven't seen you in a while, Sheron your weight has increased or it remains the same; you are not working out Sheron.' "Even when I am exercising there is a wireless remote that I must keep in my hand, so if I decide to stop before time it tells me that I have. It's quite embarrassing at times," she says laughing. "I really do enjoy it, as it helps me keep track of calories burnt, and tells me the meals I need to take or stay away from; those that have too many calories."