The Perfect Holiday Gift for Wobbly Old People

Last year, I wrote that Nintendo's Wii Fit video game system won't do jack shit for most people's fitness. That remains true; after all, "only 22 of the 68 active video games tested resulted in moderately intense exercise, similar to brisk walking." (And as Mr. T has taught us, speed walkers are a disgrace to the man race, so "exercising" with the Wii Fit is almost certainly held in even lower esteem by B.A. Baracus.)

On the other hand, the New York Times points out that the Wii Fit is awesome for the AARP set.

A representative case study published last year found that an 89-year-old woman with a balance disorder and a history of falls significantly improved her scores on a series of balance tests after six sessions of Wii Bowling, an encouraging outcome given that, as the study authors point out, falls remain the leading cause of injury-related deaths in the elderly.

According to another study, older Wii Fit players "improved their balance scores significantly, lowering their supposed “Wii age” (a score assigned by the game system, based primarily on balance tests) by about eight years" while younger players "improved by only about one year."

Lesson: Don't let your kids con you into thinking that a Wii Fit can substitute for actual exercise -- but you might want to consider stuffing one under the tree for their grandparents.

P90X Day 39: Yoga X

I'm experiencing a deficit of balance this morning. I felt strong and (reasonably) flexible, but couldn't match my results from last week's Yoga X session because I kept tipping over while trying to maintain certain balance poses (e.g., Twisting Half Moon, Crane, Standing Leg Extension, etc.). Unlike Weebles, when I wobble, I usually fall down -- especially if I'm trying to balance on my weaker (left) leg. I'm going to chalk it up to an off day, and hope for a better sense of equilibrium next week.

By the way, Yoga X features one of my all-time favorite P90X moments: Tony yells out "This isn't a competition -- we're just doing our best and WHAT, you guys?" and everyone ignores him.

P90X Day 11: Yoga X

I'm one of the least physically flexible and balanced people I know, which makes certain portions of Yoga X a painful, frustrating experience. To top it off, at the end of the 92-minute workout, I don't feel like I've accomplished much in the way of muscle development, strength gain or calorie burn. I just feel like a clumsy, off-balance oaf.

After having dragged my sleepy, sorry ass out of bed at 5:15 a.m. in order to squeeze in an hour and a half of yoga before the kids wake up, it's a bummer to feel like I haven't improved (much) since last week's unintentional tumbling session.