By Theresa Giannetti

In the newly released movie Funny People, Seth Rogen’s character is writing jokes and comes up with one about the Nintendo Wii Fit. He points out the irony in a video game telling you you’re fat. I thought that was hysterical because it’s true: a video game telling you you’re fat is the definition of irony. After all, most people never stir from the sofa when playing video games.

However, the Wii Fit is much more than a video game, it’s an innovative form of exercise. If you can’t afford a personal trainer, the Wii Fit is a less expensive and convenient way to begin an exercise routine.

The Wii Fit, made by Nintendo exclusively for its video game console, Wii, is made up of two components: the Wii Fit Board and the Wii Fit Disk, the actual program that is put into the Wii. The Wii Fit Board, the surface you stand on when performing the exercises, is basically a large flat white board with an on/off switch in the back. It’s connected to the Wii wirelessly using a little receiver that almost resembles a tiny antenna that  attaches to the top of your TV. You place the Board anywhere from three to ten feet away from the TV equipped with the receiver, turn on the TV and the Wii, and put the Wii Fit disc in. Nintendo has also done a great job of making its controllers easy to connect, unlike some other wireless devices.

The system allows you to create your own personal profile, which has the added bonus of being lockable, and to select one of two trainers, either male or female. There are four different types of exercises you can do: Yoga, Aerobics, Strength Training, and Balance. After taking some basic measurements, like your BMI using your weight (the white board acts as a scale, even accounting for the weight of the clothing you have on) and height, the system starts you off with some very basic exercises in each category, like breathing in Yoga or Hula-Hooping (a surprising workout) in Aerobics. After each exercise, a little clock adds up the minutes you spent working out– these minutes then unlock new and more difficult exercises. I’ve had four separate people ask if the Wii Fit works, and I’ve given them the same answer every time: if you can’t find the motivation to go to a gym or get a live trainer, than the Wii Fit is awesome. I wouldn’t buy a Wii, about $250, only to use the Wii Fit, which costs $100 by itself. However, if your son and daughter have a Wii already hooked up and they’re willing to share, it’s worth buying the Wii Fit add on.

Wii Fit Plus is said to be coming out in the fall, with a board capable of taking more precise measurements, and Internet access to allow competing with your friends. The good news? The regular Wii Fit will be cheaper.