Wii with the WI

Is it possible? Can playing video games, the ultimate pass-time of the couch potato, really help with your fitness? It seems that this one can.

Gwinear Parish Womens Insitute is the latest group to take up the Nintendo Wii challenge from Cornwall Sports Partnership (CSP).

Cornwall saw an opportunity to use the console with community groups and sports clubs and devised resource cards to accompany the Wii.

‘We devised the cards to compliment the console using heart rate monitors and stability balls -  turning the Wii into something that had a structured physical benefit to the user – the kids loved it and now we are using it in the community and workplace as a way of engaging adults to get involved in "virtual sport". We hope that this will be an introduction into taking up real sports like Tennis, Golf, Athletics etc’ – said Chris Hunkin from Cornwall Sports Partnership – who leads the Wii Project. They have already had interest from WI members wanting to take up the sports that they enjoyed on the Wii.

The CSP are working with the WI by introducing taster sessions with the Wii over the coming months with a view to holding a National WI Wii Championship in the Autumn.

Gwinear lady, Liz Davis, said: ‘What fun - I can’t believe the workout you get from a computer game. Its really quite challenging but if us ladies can do it anyone can!

This project has been getting national coverage. The Sun coverage can be seen here and on the Cornwall Sports Partnership website here.

If you more details on this project or want to take part in the National Wii with WI challenge in Autumn then register your interest with Vicki Gregory at vgregory@cornwall.gov.uk or on 01872 32 33 46.