Nintendo Wii Weights Craft Six-Pack Abs, We're Sure

Okay, now this "getting in shape with Wii" thing is going too far.  Although I respect WiiNintendo's Mickey DeLorenzo for having lost nine pounds in six weeks on a Wii Sports diet, the prototype for a "Wii Weights" accessory seems a bit much.

I get the sense that Nintendo would probably feel the same way.  An unlicensed and apparently photoshopped image of an ankle/wrist weight has popped up on Gizmodo, courtesy of IndustrialDesign.ru. 

So, why does this not make sense?  For one, even if Wii Sports was really considered exercise – and other than boxing, it shouldn't be – would anyone want to strap a hulking bracelet on and watch their scores diminish by about 10,000%?

Even if the product was by some stretch of the imagination actually mass marketed, we doubt it would burn many calories.  In fact, you'd probably only experience a Popeye-like expanding of the forearms and calves, a truly odd image indeed.

Nope, thumbs down on this one.  Thumbs up on Manhunt 2 for Wii, instead.  And better yet, two germophobic-rejected thumbs way up for Roto-Rooter's recently revealed Xbox 360 toilet-palooza.

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4 comments
Posted by Alissa on February 12,2007 at 10:34 AM
Unless you plan on being ambidextrous, Brando's likely right on the Popeye arm effect.  Ever see professional tennis players?  Their dominant forearms are huge!  The weights could be an interesting means of boosting the challenge of the games, but i don't know about the exercise thing - if i was concerned about improving health, i'd probably just play the game for fun for a bit, then turn it off and go bike riding or something for exercise.
Posted by WiiMaster on February 12,2007 at 10:20 AM
This is actually a great idea by Nintendo, proposing that the Wonderful Wii promotes fitness and is part of a gamers daily health routine.  Not an original idea, as someone could have easily had a set of weight - but to put gaming and fitness together?!  WHOA!! haha. A little sarcastic, I know, but still worth giving kudos.

So continues Nintendo's peripheral empire.
Posted by favian on February 12,2007 at 1:40 AM
obviously someone who buys these weights has a bigger goal in mind than 'scoring video game points'

thats  rather obvious dont you think?

this is actually not a bad idea, we've seen how many people have lost weight on DDR, why not with wii?

good stuff.
Posted by Fignuts on February 9,2007 at 9:42 AM
"would anyone want to strap a hulking bracelet on and watch their scores diminish by about 10,000%?"

That is the point - you then work your way back to your original performance/scores and in the mean time you are burning more calories.

The same reason joggers run up hills and not just straight runs all the time - it's called  a challenge. I think it's a good idea, I'm sure it'll help some little fatties somewhere.