First off, let me start by saying that up until about 6 months ago I was an avid exerciser. I worked out HARD at least 3-4 times per week and did a lot of cardio. I've completed about 3 half-marathons and usually did at least one short 3 mile run a week. Unfortunately I've had to have surgery on both my feet since November because of foot pain. Fast forward to me just getting the okay to start doing a little bit of low impact cardio from my doctor.
Walking outside is out - concrete and pavement are too hard for my healing tootsies. Walking on the treadmill is out because my balance is not back to 100 percent yet. That brought me to Walk it Out. I saw it as a goldbox deal in February and ended up snagging it, figuring that even if I didn't use it I could pass it along to my nephew.
When I got the okay to start exercising again I popped WIO in the wii and was hooked. I use mainly the nunchuck and I'm able to walk on my nicely cushioned living room floor in my nicely cushioned shoes. I've been using it at least 3-4 times a week for about an hour at a time and it's really helping me to slowly build up the strength in my legs again. The best part - even my exercise-hating hubby has started using it.
Even as I get stronger and I'm able to take up my normal exercise routine again, I imagine that I'll keep using WIO for those days when the weather isn't cooperating or I want something lower impact. Can't recommend it enough, you actually forget you're exercising.
Walk It Out is a great motivator to walk more, I have had it for about a week and have been using it every day. Each day my step count increases and the map becomes more intersting as I unlock new routes, new placeables (buildings, cars, benches, bridges, etc.), new music and new times on the magical clock.
I have been using it with the nunchuk and find that it records my steps without a problem. Sometimes I need to reset the controller by removing and re-serting the battery pack; however, this problem occurs with all Wii games.
The game encourages you to walk at a rather fast pace in time to the music, as going slowly will cause your point total (which you use to unlock events) to go down. You can change the difficulty to easy and walk at a slower pace if you want.
The map I am finding is quite big once you unlock more routes - routes to the fountain, beach, mountain, ranch, etc. To unlock some routes you need to unlock the Suspension Bridges that lead to that area (lookout mountain, ranch, etc). As you populate an area with shops, buildings, food carts and other items the area comes alive with more people characters.
All in all a solid game for those looking for cardio exercise.
I am having a blast getting to know this game. The lack of detailed instructions is actually OK with me because I am forced to explore and discover what the Island is all about on my own through trial an error. Maybe that is what the creators had in mind when they made this game.
I am gradually figuring things out. At first I was confused and wondered if had wasted my money. Now that I am firmly entrenched in the adventure, I love it! It's whimsical. It's creative. And its just plain fun!
I have had the most success in registering steps accurately by using the Konami DDR mat. I get mostly perfects with that. The balance board works fine but I prefer more variety of motion. I can dance around, use my step, jump, etc. if I use the nunchuck method. I have ordered a Needak rebounder and am anticipating using that to encourage a more vigorous workout without causing my knees and feet to ache (easy to do that with so much marching in place),
I suggest using a heart rate monitor if you really want to get the most out of this workout. I typically burn more calories and work in my target range more successfully with "Gold's Cardio" and "EA Active." So wearing the monitor now causes me to put more effort into walking (using an aerobic step, for instance) to accelerate my heart rate.
I should also add that it works great with my elliptical! The up and down motion measures my steps with the nunchuck accurately.
I, too, hope they will create more of these games. It's so much fun to get exercise this way!
"Good for its intended use, to get you to walk. As a video game, it is not real interesting."
"I am a video game newbie so learning the game is slower, but overall it is fun."
