Wii Fit questions

BlondeHeadOn

patchwork_cat wrote: »

If you have balance issues then the Wii fit will not be very suitable. The games are all about balance and posturely shifts to control the Mii. What about a recumbant bike? Could you sit on that without losing stability?

Yes I can use an exercise bike (normal type) but it doesn't help with standing balance issues - it's the balance bit of it that I am interested in, as anything which improves my balance would be great (less chance of falling over = result! as far as I am concerned).

I have a t'ai chi DVD which I can do the easiest parts of (mostly!) in very short bursts, but I am getting bored with it and think I could do with something that uses balance in a different way. Hence my interest.

patchwork_cat

Ten pin bowling isn't on balance board. A Wii may well be suitable, but personally the wii fit with balance board would be a waste of money. I would say that the majority of balance board are postural exercises,even the candle sitting down one I find very hard and my DD 12 lasts 15 seconds! I'll get my DD to go on when she comes home and have a look how many I would be able to do when I have my basilar migraines ( make me v dizzy)

BlondeHeadOn

Magenta_Wolves wrote: »

I have broken my ankle 3 times so have balance issues, I bought a wii fit and found it invaluable in correcting my balance. U can see just how much you move when you don't think you are! I would definitely invest in one, even the simple 'games' such as putting the ball in the hole really helps to correct your balance. The yoga positions and the standing one leg moves I find too difficult at the moment but I can see improvement. Comparing to the first day to several weeks later I can see a marked improvement in my balance ......... and its fun!

That sounds much more encouraging - thank you! It's very useful to know that you have used it to correct balance issues, as I think that would be its main benefit to me as well.

It will be v. helpful to be able to do this in my own living room - I can't keep up with any classes I tried, so home-training sounds the next best thing. In the past I have been to a one-to-one personal trainer who specialises in the disabled, but that is too expensive long-term.

Good to know that the virtual trainer doesn't nag you as well....

:T

BlondeHeadOn

patchwork_cat wrote: »

Ten pin bowling isn't on balance board. A Wii may well be suitable, but personally the wii fit with balance board would be a waste of money. I would say that the majority of balance board are postural exercises,even the candle sitting down one I find very hard and my DD 12 lasts 15 seconds! I'll get my DD to go on when she comes home and have a look how many I would be able to do when I have my basilar migraines ( make me v dizzy)

I don't have any problem with dizzyness, so that is not an issue for me (must be awful, I sympathise with you).

The problem I have is with lack of feedback from one foot (think numb as in 'gone to sleep' and you have an idea of what it feels like), so postural exercises with feedback might be pretty useful.

Hmmm...

patchwork_cat

Well if you want to improve your balance then a Wii fit board would assist in adjusting the centre of gravity, without knowing how bad your balance issues are would be hard to advise. Ask around friends you never know who might have one for you to have a discrete try on.

If you don't get dizzy - sorry just assumed, then it may be OK, when I have a basilar then there would be no way even with feedback that I could stay stable enough to do some of the exercises - yes it is very debilitating and can last for a long time on and off.

Wine_of_the_World

Have you ever thought of trying a yoga class? I'm not flexible at all, but yoga's a great way of maintaining and improving your balance or posture. In yoga its not about how you compare to others at all. You shouldn't feel embarrassed at all; its not like other exercise classes where the instructor tries to push you - instead the instructor will explain different levels, and even in the beginners class where the movements are relatively simple the instructor will tell you to stop if you fell unable or uncomfortable.

There are different types - Im no expert but I had a Hatha yoga which focuses a lot on breathing, there is also time for relaxation / meditation in the class which is great if you are feeling a bit anxious about joining in.

linni

I got a wii board, will fit and wii fit plus, although I can't do excercises, I wanted something I could do at home, and I try to do a few minutes every now and then - just stepping on and off - it's better than doing nothing. I like the Karate and the steps ones because they are so easy to do. Also you can hold on to something if you want to do the balance excercises.

busiscoming2

I love my Wii fit ! Rather than buy one and have wasted your money, have you got a local freecycle cafe (like freecycle but you swap and borrow items and info) you could try asking on there if someone would let you pop round and have a go on theirs?

BlondeHeadOn

Wine_of_the_World wrote: »

Have you ever thought of trying a yoga class? I'm not flexible at all, but yoga's a great way of maintaining and improving your balance or posture. In yoga its not about how you compare to others at all. You shouldn't feel embarrassed at all; its not like other exercise classes where the instructor tries to push you - instead the instructor will explain different levels, and even in the beginners class where the movements are relatively simple the instructor will tell you to stop if you fell unable or uncomfortable.

There are different types - Im no expert but I had a Hatha yoga which focuses a lot on breathing, there is also time for relaxation / meditation in the class which is great if you are feeling a bit anxious about joining in.

Yes, done this - and it's been okay, but I always find the classes round here are too cold for me in the winter. I know it sounds daft, but I feel the cold a lot - and they are all held in school or community halls and it's just not warm enough for all the slow exercises and relaxation bits for me. I end up blue and shivering with cold. I have tried wearing all kinds of different clothes to do it (michelin man yoga anyone?) but I always end up freezing. Which does nothing for trying to stretch your muscles, believe me.

I think in the last couple of years the school halls etc. must have turned down their heating (especially at night) to save money/carbon footprint, which is all very laudible (I suppose) but it is [EMAIL="blo@@dy"]blo@@dy[/EMAIL] freezing if you want to do yoga!

BlondeHeadOn

linni wrote: »

I got a wii board, will fit and wii fit plus, although I can't do excercises, I wanted something I could do at home, and I try to do a few minutes every now and then - just stepping on and off - it's better than doing nothing. I like the Karate and the steps ones because they are so easy to do. Also you can hold on to something if you want to do the balance excercises.

This is kind of how I think I would use it, and it's good to know that it is flexible enough to do that - thank you!

:T