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While probably the least game of any of the exercise games I’ve played for the Wii, there currently isn’t another alternative that offers the same intensity level or flows between exercises as well as My Fitness Coach.

My Fitness Coach sets up routines based on focus areas you choose and areas it feels you need to work on based on information it gets from fitness evaluations that you do periodically.  My Fitness Coach can include exercises utilizing a heart monitor, step bench, stability ball, and hand weights in your 15 to 75 minute workout routines if you tell it you own any of those items.  However, the due to its pacing it often very difficult to keep up with the switches that occur between exercise.  In the game, these extra items appear at of thin air and than vanish when the exercise is complete and unlike other exercise games.  A pause when exercise equipment changes take place would have been preferred.  However, this weakness is in many ways one of this game’s greatest strength.  The flow between exercises is far better than any other exercise game I’ve tried and it results in the highest sustained intensity level.  As long as you are honest during your evaluations and when your questioned about how hard you are working during your exercise routine, it is almost guaranteed you will get a decent sweat inducing workout.  The calorie counting feature seemed vary inaccurate when compared to my heart rate monitor and the calories counted by my heart rate monitor was often two to three times more than that reported by My Fitness Coach.  The controls are by far the weak point in this game.  There is no balance board support and the Wii controller is only used as a pointing device used to navigate the menus and entring responses to questions.  This means at the end of the day, My Fitness Coach is more of a customizable exercise video than a game.  However, you can’t completly exclude this game from consideration as it does a good job of complimenting other fitness games.

Scores:

Graphics: 2.5 out of 5

Character models and backgrounds are mediocre at best (even by Wii game standards).  Heavy aliasing is present most of the time as well.  However, none of this gets in the way of showing how the exercises are done and there are not any frame rate issues.

Sound:  3 out of 5

While there is a good variety of music, it seems to have been recorded at a very low bit rate.  Verbal instructions are generally clear and accurate.

Gameplay: 3 out of 5

There is a vary large variety in the the number of exercise available.  The lack of feedback means most of the game is more of a customized exercise video then a game.  The lowest diffculty exercise routines may be too difficult for some starting a new exercise program.

Controls: 1 out of 5

The only controls is using the Wiimote as a pointer and even when used as pointer, the lack of spacing between choices on the screen may make it difficult to choose the desired option at times.

Originality: 3 out of 5

One of the first exercise games for the Wii, but no real invoation in using the controls to give exercise feedback.

Overall Single Player: 3 out of 5

Effective, but nothing exceptional.  Music and locations are unlocked as you meet your exercise commitments.

Overall Multiplayer: Not Applicable

No online multiplayer and while there is a “group” play option, it is definitely not a major feature in this game.

Reviewer’s Opinion: 3 out of 5

While the game overall is at best average, it may deserve a look in your exercise game library as a break from your regular program.  Nothing else has as much variety in the exercises as is found in My Fitness Coach.

Total: 18.5 out of 35 (53%)

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