So I'm starting to get back into working out again (as anyone who follows my Twitter or Facebook can attest to), and while we have a stationary bike, I want to mix up my cardio a bit to keep things interesting.

So...I'm thinking about getting a Wii. There's a Gold's Gym cardio game that looks pretty good, along with the usual Wii Sports and Wii Fit.

Does anyone have any any experiences with their Wii as a workout device and not just for playing games? Don't get me wrong, there are some really cool-looking games out ("Red Steel" looks really interesting), but my primary use will be for fitness.

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You want to work out but your thinking about buying a Wii? Why not just take that money and get a gym membership? Vast majority of the studies show that people who have exercise equipment in their home start out great but then falter off and in the end fail to meet their original goals they set while those who spend the money on a gym are far more likely to pursue the end goal.

Just my .02 cents, YMMV.

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I've got my own gym in-house, and I use it daily, actually. Recumbant bike, Bowflex, free weights. The gyms around here are $90/mo and the nearest one is 20 minutes away; it's cheaper for me to build a complete home setup where I can workout at my leisure. The Wii would basically be part of that, another "machine" for getting my cardio in for the day.

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Well, I went and did it...setting it up tonight. I'll post my Wii ID (?) on the gamertag thread later!

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Glad to hear that you are working out. Very few people have the ability to stick to a work out routine once they come up with one, if they come up with one. It's funny looking back now but when I was able to workout/run one of the few things that I really enjoyed was the "runners high" I would get at about my 2nd or 3rd mile (I was a distance runner, ran cross country from 7th grade on) and once I hit that spot it felt like I could just go and go. I hated hitting the gym but knew that it needed to be done, especially when I was in the Army as a Grunt but again really enjoyed the way it felt and the results afterward of endorphins in your body making you feel good. Keeping a routine became essential for me and if I missed a day it was almost like I became sick and irritable.

Sadly since my accident I am no longer allowed to do anything except short stints on the recumbent bike, about 10 mins at a time 2 times a day maximum or else I end up with massive flair ups and my muscles go all haywire and take 3-4 days to relax, and that's with muscle relaxers. Ever since I had to stop working out I can feel it in my body, no flexibility and no strength like I used to have. It sucks!

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I used to love running, too...unfortunately, between the Army ruining my right knee and dislocating my left in January 2006, I'm only running when chased (which is thankfully not very often... ). So I can totally sympathize, believe me...I spent the first two years after I got out of the Army using a cane...there are days when I still use it, too, depending on the weather and how sore I am that day (only downside to living in Oregon).

So far I'm loving the Wii for working out after I lift...the Gold's Gym Cardio workout is great, and I'm getting a balance board and Wii Fit Plus on 3/16 (had to pre-order from Newegg, no one has them in stock!). It's nice for me to mix up my cardio a bit.

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