I am about 70. Have just begun using the board and find the balance games tend to cause a pain in my lower back.
Is that going to get better or get worse if I continue ???

Dennis

Hi Dennis,

I found I had the same problem when I first started and I'm 30!

I think the balance games use many small muscles that we all neglect most of the time, so I think it's a bit of a surprise when we start to use them a lot suddenly. I found that my muscles didn't ache so much after a while. However you might want to reduce the amount of time you spend doing them, perhaps just ease yourself into them.

Paul

I'm 55 and have back problems from my job at the Post Office. I too, found it somewhat uncomfortable at first to do some of the balancing games. However, I just went through what I could at my own comfort level, making sure I didn't reach the point of pain. Which left me doing practically nothing in those first few days. I only did the body test training part then. Now, I'm getting pretty good, doing about 30 minutes of Wii exercises every day, got a routine going with the Yoga and Strength training. I am definitely progressively getting better each day. Today I did the plank for the first time! I thought I wouldn't get that one, but it was easier than I thought. I've been playing with the Wii Fit Plus for about a month now. So, in my humble opinion, I think it's safe as long as you don't go past that point where the comfort level changes to pain.

I think that's good advice in all exercise.

Try and push your body a little bit more each time, but if it starts hurting you are better off stopping.

A little gentle exercise is good for the back and helps to build all those little muscles that support your body. If anything, I think Wii Fit is much more geared towards older people than younger people. It isn't about brute strength, or hard-core cardio workouts, but the kind of all-over body fitness that helps keep you supple and strong as you get older. As we are all living longer I think it's great to keep doing things like this, or you may find you body just atrophies from under-use. It's definitely a case of "use it or lose it".

I really agree with Paul - i think the wii has been designed with the older generation (I am 62) in mind, although the game-like characteristics appeal to younger video game players as well.

Even the most challenging strength exercise (The lunge for example) are relatively low impact, so they are great for those of us with joint problems and arthritis that prohibits high impact activities.

As with all exercise, doing a little often is better than doing a lot all at once. Keep going, and exercising all those little muscle groups can really help you feel better. I can't say I'm losing weight (I like my food too much), but using the wii every other day is definitely helping the endurance/cardio aspect.

By the way, the days that I don't wii, I use an execrise bike while watching TV, but when the bike that syncs up to the wii is widely available - I'm all over it.

Dennis--find a good massage therapist, and carry on!! (P.S. I am one--so I know whereof I speak!)

Jillian

Did you see the postings this week for the bike. Available in Great Britain now for about $350 USD

Try some yoga. I start every day with 25 minutes. I'm still as flexible as a brick, but it's getting better every day.

Hi, I also wondered if anyone else had problems with lower back pain. I seem to only get it when I do the cycling or the segway. I like both exercises but have had to lay off them for a bit as I really think they are linked to the pain I get.

I already have problems with lower back pain, and I can cycle for an hour without problems. But segway kills my back and the bottom of my feet!! Just did it once, not again for a while...