“Wii Fit” is one of several video games that allows users to get a quick workout, sometimes without even realizing it. “Dance Dance Revolution” and “Rock Band” are two other video games notorious for getting players up off the couch and moving around.

These games promote movement and a little bit of muscle tone, said Jonathan Kermiet, a health educator at Olin Health Center. Video games are a new way to get people of all ages moving around without having to leave their homes. The exercise they provide isn’t too vigorous and therefore might be safer than at-home exercise videos, he said.

Ruselowski said for her, the Wii Fit is a better alternative to doing a workout video where you don’t have someone there to help you.

“(Wii Fit) corrects you and tells you if you’re doing it wrong,” she said. “If you shift your balance the game knows and the trainer in the game tells you how to correct yourself.”

Ruselowski said she engages in exercises such as yoga and various balance games offered on the Wii Fit to stay in shape. She also said the game is far less expensive than constantly renewing a gym membership or hiring a personal trainer.

Kermiet said he’s glad that students such as Ruselowski have found satisfaction with video games that encourage movement.

A large number of college students have admitted they exercise to manage stress, however, not everyone enjoys traditional exercise, Kermiet said.

“The Wii games take you out of the present and focus on movement in a fun way that definitely promotes stress management,” he said.

However, the other benefits many people exercise for, such as having more energy, lowering cholesterol or looking and feeling better, may not be achieved solely with video games, Kermiet said.

“The bottom line is, what are you doing it for?” he said. “What are you trying to accomplish? If you’re looking for increased cardiovascular fitness, you’re going to need vigorous exercise.”

One person who wasn’t waiting in line for her very own Nintendo Wii when the system was released in November 2007 is Jodi Berry, executive director of Fitness USA.

Berry said she recommends joining a gym that offers the support of a trained staff and personal trainers rather than falling into bad habits while exercising at home.

“With a videotape you’re more apt to quit or find an excuse not to continue,” she said. “Also, if you’re doing something on your own you might do it incorrectly and that could cause an injury.”

Kermiet said he thinks it’s unlikely that a college student would get seriously injured taking part in an exercise video or playing the Nintendo Wii at home.

“I can’t see why it would be dangerous,” he said. “You’re not doing any type of vigorous exercise. Most students wouldn’t have a problem with vigorous exercise anyway.”

Walking a mile to campus every day is enough exercise for Daniel Balogh. He said his daily walks provide enough physical activity and he plays video games, like the Nintendo Wii, solely for entertainment, whether they demand he moves his body or not.

“It’s interesting that a game can make you get off the couch and stand up,” said Balogh, a human biology and premedical junior. “But one of my friends plays Wii bowling lying down and can still beat me. When it first came out I thought you had to do the full motion for it to register your movement but you don’t. You can get into it or barely move — it lets you put in as much effort as you want.”

Although Balogh has the option of playing lying down, he said he prefers to stand up and get into the games.

Balogh said he and his friends consider themselves very knowledgeable when it comes to the world of gaming; however, everyone can enjoy the Nintento Wii.

“The nice thing about the Wii system is that it opens up the world of gaming to an older generation that might not be accustomed to joysticks and other things of that nature,” Kermiet said.

The physical demands of the Nintendo Wii are not only something students shouldn’t worry about, they also are not vigorous enough for older people to be concerned with, Kermiet said.

“This type of movement is always good,” he said.

Kermiet said he likes that the Nintendo Wii allows users to move their body without noticing the benefits simple movements have on their health.

Unlike Balogh, psychology junior Ryan Jurado said he chooses to avoid walking a mile a day and other typical exercises.

“I don’t like to work out,” he said. “The physical fitness I get from video games is welcome and I appreciate it, but it’s not what attracts me to the games. I enjoy playing (the Nintendo Wii and “Dance Dance Revolution”) because they’re challenging and they offer unique aspects of gaming that other games don’t.”