I'm just starting to get back into Wii-ing again, and I'm a little concerned about the injuries I've heard about. While at least some of these were probably due to excessive use, does anyone know more about how to correctly perform the exercises so that the risk of injury is lessened? I've already learned not to extend my whole arm in the boxing game (or the new rhythm game with Wii Fit Plus), and how to do the yoga exercises, but do you have any more ideas? How do you warm up prior to starting your Wii Fit exercises?

Thanks for any advice!

Hiya, sorry for the slow reply.

There seem to be two main types of injury. The obvious ones are bumping into things, which you can prevent by just being careful and making sure you have enough room around you.

The other kind of injury is a bit like tennis elbow, where you over extend your joints. For example in boxing you should aim to stop your punch just before your arm is fully extended. If you just rely on your joints to stop you then you risk over-extending and damaging the tendons and cartilage. In real boxing you have the weight of the bag (or your opponent) to stop your punch, but in Wii land you are just punching the air

Essentially it comes down to always being in control of your movements. So concentrate on form, and don't get over-enthusiastic.

In the yoga and muscle exercises, the trick is to listen to your body, don't do more than you are comfortable with.

I hope that helps.

Thanks Paul, I thought that was the main case, not being overenthusiastic with the exercises (although the wiimote and wii board's sensitivity isn't all there yet) so it's nice to have it confirmed. I also completely forgot about the hazards of bumping into things! (Though I should, my dog always likes to curl up too close to me when I wii fit, to his disgust when he has to move.)

100% correct advice for the boxing, I catch myself from time to time getting too into the workout trying to get all excellent punches and you do catch your elbow straining a lot. The hardest punch to control for me is the uppercut, I think I am a street fighter LOL!

I find that doing the jogging games are the best way for me to lose weight but I have had knee injuries (a dislocated knee and a ruptured tendon) some years back, so, in order to prevent too much of a shock to my knees, I jog on a little trampoline instead of the floor. Not only does it prevent shocks to the knees, but it also keeps me from 'running up' to the television.

Oh, and as I live in an upstairs flat (an apartment), it also means that I can jog late at night or early in the morning and not disturb the neighbours. Well, it also helps that I use wireless headphones.

Now that is a genius idea