Yes, perhaps the first thing that comes to mind when you initially hear about this is the hilarious Futurama sight gag of the sign that says "New: Windowless Rooms for Ugly Exercisers!". However, once you're past that, you'll find that this is an utterly brilliant concept. Apart from completely neutral, non-judgmental and supportive help with the work-out, this allows you to put the time in when it fits with your own schedule, for as long as you want, and with the intensity that is right for you(instead of having to find a team to join that matches your needs). Not a miracle, this takes something that is already positive and gives you more freedom over it. Obviously, this can't have you doing lifting/strength type stuff, but almost everything else that you could think of *is* here. It's divided into the four categories of Yoga, Muscle, Aerobics(for burning fat) and Balance Games. All of them are useful, and each has between nine and fifteen different activities, so you can mix it up as much as you want. There's everything from doing push-ups through running(in place) and to ones where you get to do stuff in a safer environment than in real life(such as slalom skiing and jumping, not to mention walking a tightrope between two buildings), and even a couple that you cannot do outside of the realm of imagination, like floating in a bubble(avoiding touching anything, since it's so fragile) and a beautifully realized updated version of that cool, non-electronic game where you had to use the power of gravity and your own reflexes to guide a marble into the right hole, avoiding all the wrong ones along the line of the wooden maze. While you can argue that they don't all have a practical application, they all get you in better shape, by improving your endurance, flexibility, or Center of Gravity, or aiding you in shedding excess pounds. Depending on what makes sense, you either see a realistic-looking(if grey-scale) human physical trainer(male or female, whichever you want; and you decide whether to view them from the front or the back when they show you what to do) or the goofy Mii you've chosen(from a decent selection, with young and old, different races, etc.) to represent you. The last-mentioned are especially quite expressive, and it's nifty to see them cheer and assist you various places in this. All of the graphics are excellent, with gorgeous lighting, convincing physics and flawless camera. This can be work or fun depending on your disposition, and you do have to stick with it for it to pay off, same as if you went to the gym. You also do have to apply enough discipline to do the stuff properly and without using any shortcuts, as it can't always tell. This offers tips on all aspects, the best amount of sleep, reminding you when you ought to take a break, etc. The Balance Board is really the key to this whole VG, and the technology is put to full use. It can tell with pin-point precision where your weight is applied, left, right, front or back, and that's how you can snowboard in this without leaving your room. They thought of every possible exploit of this, and they put it in. Whether doing the Palm Tree or Rowing Squat, it knows rather well if you're doing it right, and often guides you in the right direction by providing a display that shows you where your COG is and where it optimally ought to be. The Wii-mote doesn't have to feel left out, because it's also necessary for several of the things you can do in this, including (cue the "Rocky" theme) the (non-violent) entertaining Rhythm Boxing that ends with the wonderful catharsis of a rule-free "bonus round". Two things, the step(not the dance) and jogging ones, you can do whilst watching TV or similar, continually guided by sounds that aforementioned remote makes(letting you know how much time is left and similar), and audible instructions that it provides. It's all kept simple, so you can get into it without preparation, and you determine how intense you want to get with it. You're nearly never unsure of what went wrong if you get a low grade on something, though this cannot say everything that an actual, living professional could, of course. The tone is light and soft, providing a secure spot for you to improve your body in, supported by the bright, happy colors and upbeat music that manages to be catchy without being irritating. There is no actual, personalized opposition for the player; your performance is rated, and a top ten high score is kept. This tries to encourage the player/user, and without pussyfooting, avoid making you feel bad. You start out having the shape that you are in gauged, and are then asked to set a goal based upon BMI(that it will calculate for you, all you need to remember is your height), and it keeps track of your progress towards it. There is humor in this, silly material that does not try too hard, and it's Not everyone will be able to pull off everything in this. On the other hand, there's plenty to try out, and this won't soon wear out its welcome. This has no real upper or lower age limit(it says no younger than three on the cover, and that's probably a correct notion), there is next to nothing bothersome in this at all, some stuff is potentially unsettling(no violence, cartoony or otherwise). It goes beyond cultural boundaries, as well, with its core being that of the universal(and correct, as far as we've been able to gather from scientific studies and whatnot) idea of good health. I recommend this to anyone and everyone interested in it, be it for the entertainment value, for achieving a superior physique to what you have now, for the proved joy of moving around that we all have, or a combination of all of the above. 8/10
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