By Sherwin Loh

Finally, something that got me excited about exercise.

Maybe excited is too strong a word and some may question the exercise quotient derived from a peripheral built for a video game.

The Wii Fit, however, is the closest I'll get to breaking a sweat.

Basically a board with pressure pads, the Wii Fit is a game that centres around yoga, exercises and aerobics.

As you move around on the board, the sensors track the shifts in your body weight.

It's a light workout you get. The gadget is more useful in tracking your progress: the board measures your weight and calculates your body mass index. If you check your BMI every day, the software charts your progress or lack thereof.

The graphics and music add fun to the exercise routines and, without realising it, I went through half an hour of breathing routines and step exercises.

Of course, the better way is to go for a real yoga or exercise class but the convenience the Wii Fit offers is hard to beat.

Plus, you get to have some fun in nine games that require balance and skill. Skiing, for instance, is about balance and knowing how to bend your knees in the direction you want to move.

With the board, I found myself doing something I never dreamed I would - challenging my wife to see who is fitter.

Oh, and the weight loss? Let's just say a couple of pounds and leave it at that.

Others to consider: A gym membership or an aerobics class.

• Wii Fit $179

This article was first published in Digital Life, The Straits Times on Oct 29, 2008.