Wii Focus

I work with several people who enjoy integrating the Nintendo Wii gaming console into their fitness routines.  I find that several of the games do a really nice job of improving some of the components of overall fitness, and I plan on doing a more in-depth review of the system in the future.  For now though, I will focus on one of the games, or more specifically, one of the challenges.   The challenge is the "Deep Breathing" exercise that is part of the Wii Fit Plus package with the balance board.  Basically, the movement has you stand as still as possible on the Wii balance board and do several rounds of deep inhalations followed by exhalations.  The sensors in the balance board allow it to perceive any swaying movements you may make while completing the breaths, and there is a dot on the screen that gives you feedback as to if, and how much, you are moving.  After the time has expired, the system calculates a score that is based on your swaying, or lack thereof, and displays the score on the TV screen.  

I picked this particular challenge to write about because of a series of events that occurred the other day.  I was finishing up a training session at a clients home, and I set up the Wii and cued up this challenge for her to complete.  I like starting the Wii session with this game because it helps you relax and focus on yourself and how you are feeling.  While I was packing up my gear, the client was able to complete several rounds of the challenge, and in doing so she was getting more and more frustrated - which is the opposite of what is supposed to happen.  She told me she was getting upset because she was unable to post a score that was close to her high score.  While I was explaining to her that it is a high score for a reason, she started another round on the balance board, and the phone rang.  I picked up the phone and handed it to her and then sat back and watched the magic!  You see, this particular person loves her phones. She loves talking, texting, emailing and scheduling on them.  She is comfortable and focused with her phone in her hand.  So as she was completing the challenge, while talking on the phone, she was more focused than she had been since starting with the Wii.  And with the increased focus she was more in control of her breathing, and this led to her posting her highest score of the day!  

Now, this is not a post about how it helps to be on the phone when you workout.  The point that should be taken from this is just a bit deeper.  The point is that you will get the most out of your exercise session if you are focused.  Try to eliminate the distractions that may be in your head, or in your world, and introduce stimuli that help keep you on target.  For many people, myself included, music is the perfect choice to facilitate this plan.  Others may find total quiet is what works best for them.  And for the unique few, sometimes the phone - and the contact with your friends that it provides - will help your mind focus on the exercise session at hand.