Matthew is the Youth Pastor at Brandywine Valley Baptist Church and a former contestant on NBC's Biggest Loser where he lost 176 lbs. For contact info, free resources and more, follow the links across the top of the page!
Jillian Michael’s has mentioned from time to time on her podcast that she is developing an exercise game for the Nintendo Wii, but she’s never given any details … until now! I’ve actually been thinking about grabbing a balance board for my Wii – it’s part of the WiiFit game pack. I just didn’t know if there would be many other exercise related games coming out for it. I’ve also wondered if it was more of a gimmick than anything else, but I’ve been hearing great things from my friends who bought WiiFit, so maybe there is something to it! Anyway, here is the announcement from Majesco Entertainment, the company bringing out Jillian’s new game (click the title to go to the full announcement):
Introducing the First Game to Integrate a Celebrity Fitness Trainer with the Wii System and the Ground-Breaking Wii Balance Board. Shed the extra weight while having fun! Majesco Entertainment Company (NASDAQ: COOL), an innovative provider of video games for the mass market, is partnering with celebrity fitness trainer Jillian Michaels, the strength trainer and life coach on the popular television series “The Biggest Loser,” and Interactive Game Group to deliver the first Wii game that combines a celebrity fitness trainer and the motion-based Wii system and Wii Balance Board accessory–Jillian Michaels’ Fitness Ultimatum 2009. Integrating a tiered fitness regimen, expert advice and exercise techniques from the charismatic Jillian Michaels, the game delivers a focused workout that will help players reach their own personal fitness goals.
“As a huge gamer myself with younger siblings and godchildren, I recognize the importance of staying current with how people digest their media and information,” said Jillian Michaels. “I truly think this type of product will be instrumental in revolutionizing the fitness industry and will help combat the childhood obesity epidemic in this country today. I couldn’t be more excited about partnering with Interactive Game Group and Majesco to bring a family-oriented fitness video game to the market.”
In Jillian Michaels’ Fitness Ultimatum 2009 players become new recruits in Jillian’s boot camp where they enroll in a unique training program composed of challenging fitness tests and an ever-changing series of workouts. Players choose their workout from four types–Weight Loss, Strength Training, Intervals and Hill Climb–and set the intensity to light, medium or hard for a duration between 10 and 60 minutes. By completing exciting Wii Remote and Wii Balance Board motion-based challenges that range from crossing monkeybars to climbing ladders and rowing, players can also unlock lifestyle and fitness video tips from Jillian. Players can even track their progress based on calories burned and workout intensity. In addition, a Competitive Party Mode lets two players race against each other through entertaining individual challenges or through the entire Physical Training course to earn the winning time.
June 13, 2008 at 8:09 am
Is she going to yell at us? I mean, if my 5 year old isn’t cutting it on the hill climb, will she come to me crying after Jillian unloads on her?
June 13, 2008 at 8:26 am
[...] Matthew McNutt wrote an interesting post today on Jillian Michael’s upcoming Wii game. Here’s a quick excerpt: [...]
June 13, 2008 at 9:40 am
That sounds awesome. I’ve been a little skeptical about how a Wii game would keep your heart rate up, etc. but if Jillian is endorsing it then it must have some merit. We may be checking this out more seriously now!
June 15, 2008 at 5:49 am
[...] Jillian Michaels’ Upcoming Wii game – I wish we had a Wii (but I’m too cheap to pony up the $$$ and the time to get one). Jillian Michaels has developed a game for the Wii using the new balance board, and if it’s anything like the workouts she prescribed on The Biggest Loser, this will prove to be killer (but very effective). [...]
June 16, 2008 at 6:50 am
From what I’ve seen the game looks fantastic.
Need to be losing the pounds but will a computer game give me some desire?
I’m unsure.
The wife is 50/50
Will maybe give it a go
Has anyone had any good results yet?
Cheers
Rob
June 16, 2008 at 7:19 am
I think it all depends on the person. No one every thought about video games causing weight loss until a year or two after Dance Dance Revolution came out; they realized people were actually dropping pounds and building endurance playing the thing. Basically it boils down to … if you’re wired to have fun doing it, then you’ll be able to lose weight with it over time. If you’re the type that will try it a couple times and then the novelty wears off … then not so much. For me, Dance Dance Revolution was fun for about a week … but I know others who have been playing it for years and still love it. : )