wraggster
April 8th, 2007, 00:03
via daily record (http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/tm_headline=a-wii-workout&method=full&objectid=18871248&siteid=66633-name_page.html)
A PERSONAL trainer is helping couch-potatoes to battle the bulge - by playing video games.
Zander Urquhart, 32, is thought to be the first fitness expert to adopt the Nintendo Wii as an exercise machine.
Four people at a time can exercise using theWii's unique motion-sensitive controller to mimic a tennis racket, baseball bat, golf club or boxing gloves.
University studies suggest players can burn 125 calories during a 15-minute session. Zander, from Glasgow, got the idea after seeing a client's son playing with the console. He said: "This five-year-old needed encouragement to do any exercise - but here he was running about for half-an-hour working up a sweat."
Zander initially targeted kids - but soon realised adults were just as keen. He said: "It's been great for adults coming back from injury and for OAPs."
Client Caroline Cassiday, 21, of Blantyre, Lanarkshire, said: "It really helped to tone me up."
A study by Liverpool John Moores University found that in an average 12.2-hour gaming week, Wii players can burn 1830 calories - shifting 27lb a year.
A Nintendo UK spokesman said: "We're not aware of anyone else doing this but it shows what the Wii can be used for."
BURNING CALORIES
According to statistics released by Food Magazine, calories burned using a Nintendo Wii for 15 to 20 minutes compare favourably with other forms of exercise.
Aerobic dancing - medium intensity, equivalent to jogging - 130
Cycling on flat ground - 125
Playing golf - 100
Playing tennis - 140
Playing football - 140
A PERSONAL trainer is helping couch-potatoes to battle the bulge - by playing video games.
Zander Urquhart, 32, is thought to be the first fitness expert to adopt the Nintendo Wii as an exercise machine.
Four people at a time can exercise using theWii's unique motion-sensitive controller to mimic a tennis racket, baseball bat, golf club or boxing gloves.
University studies suggest players can burn 125 calories during a 15-minute session. Zander, from Glasgow, got the idea after seeing a client's son playing with the console. He said: "This five-year-old needed encouragement to do any exercise - but here he was running about for half-an-hour working up a sweat."
Zander initially targeted kids - but soon realised adults were just as keen. He said: "It's been great for adults coming back from injury and for OAPs."
Client Caroline Cassiday, 21, of Blantyre, Lanarkshire, said: "It really helped to tone me up."
A study by Liverpool John Moores University found that in an average 12.2-hour gaming week, Wii players can burn 1830 calories - shifting 27lb a year.
A Nintendo UK spokesman said: "We're not aware of anyone else doing this but it shows what the Wii can be used for."
BURNING CALORIES
According to statistics released by Food Magazine, calories burned using a Nintendo Wii for 15 to 20 minutes compare favourably with other forms of exercise.
Aerobic dancing - medium intensity, equivalent to jogging - 130
Cycling on flat ground - 125
Playing golf - 100
Playing tennis - 140
Playing football - 140