Daisy Fuentes Pilates for Wii

Earlier this month, Sega released Daisy Fuentes Pilates for Wii, and sent me a copy to try out. I’ve been using it for the past two weeks. Being a huge fan of “exergaming,” I was excited to be focusing on my abs for once, as opposed to mostly cardio and strength exercises that I do with other video games.

GAME DESCRIPTION

The very first interactive Pilates workout for Wii is here! Daisy Fuentes Pilates is built around 10 core-strengthening Pilates exercises that are designed to make your muscles long and lean — not bulky. Hosted by longtime Pilates icon and star of the entertainment industry Daisy Fuentes, she will keep you motivated with plenty of exercise, fitness and dietary tips that will help you achieve maximum results. Daisy Fuentes Pilates is designed to accommodate people of all skill levels – whether you are new to Pilates or are looking for a more convenient way to add Pilates to your ongoing exercise routine. This interactive workout experience goes beyond the one-way static workouts of traditional DVDs. By using the Wii Remote and Balance Board you can monitor your movements and receive instant feedback, ensuring proper body motion so you can get the most from every Pilates session.

MY REVIEW

Let me start by telling you that I’ve never tried Pilates. Not a DVD, much less a class! So I’m a complete beginner, whom I think this game is perfect for. All I knew when I popped the game into the Wii console was that I’d be working on my core.

To start off, I had to set up my profile, which required me entering my age, height, and gender, and then weighing myself on the Wii balance board. Set at a beautiful resort, what first captured my attention were the graphics. You can even choose where you want to work out – a cabana, an island, by the pool, etc. when you customize a workout.

In addition to the beautiful graphics, this game features:

• Three levels of play (beginner, intermediate, and advanced)
• Playable with or without Wii balance board
• Use a preset workout or make up your own
• and it’s playable in English and Spanish

I first watched all the tutorials so that I could become familiar with the exercises. Some movements are a little tricky, so I had to watch them a couple of times. With only 10 exercises to choose from, I could see this being too basic for a more experienced Pilates devotee. As you move up to a higher level, the only thing that really changes are the amount of repetitions.

There are 5 preset workouts to choose from, or I could make up my own using any combination of the 10 exercises. I’m not a fan of the warm ups, which I found boring. There are only two options to choose from – one being running in place for 5 minutes, and the other stretching for the same amount of time. I tend to go straight to the workout, after warming up on my own.

Daisy Fuentes voices the tutorials, gives health and fitness tips, and feedback throughout the workouts. She is pleasant to listen to, as is the background music. The exercises themselves were tough. I was trying so hard, but there were some I just couldn’t do! Part of the difficulty comes with the fact that I have to focus on holding the Wii remote a certain way, or tapping the balance board with my thighs just right. At first, timing my moves was a challenge, but I’m getting used to it. The game awards you points for your performance – mainly based on how precise your timing is – and records your score. I only found it to track up to five days, so there’s no way to keep track of your performance over time. Although the balance board is optional, I think it’s a great tool to see if you’re doing the exercises correctly.

Daisy Fuentes Pilates leaves me sore, but in a good way! It won’t replace the exercise video games I already own, but will be a nice change for when I don’t want a full body workout. It’s definitely piqued my interest in Pilates! And at under $30, I’m glad it’s accessible to everyone.

For more information, including tutorial videos and screenshots, please visit www.daisyfuentespilates.com.