There's been a lot of uproar about the Wii Fit, but how good is it, really? Is it more of a toy for kids, or can you actually get a decent workout on the thing?

Fortunately for the people shelling out the cash to buy it, the answer is a definite yes. In fact, there are many individuals online sharing their stories of weight loss and increased physical fitness from using Wii Fit, including one man who carefully tracked his progress over the course of a month, complete with photographs, journals, and updates on his weight and measurements!

Don't worry: there's no rule that says you have to go that far. But if you're looking to set some goals and improve your workouts, the Wii Fit can be a very valuable tool.

Set Your Goals!

One of the best aspects of the Wii Fit? Your ability to set, monitor, and attain goals. Each time you use the system, it invites you to conduct a "body test," where the system measures your weight, balance, and body mass index, letting you know how you're progressing toward your goals.

The Wii Fit lets you know where you fit in on the BMI scale (underweight, normal, overweight, or obese) and helps you establish a goal based on attaining a proper BMI for your height and age -- not necessarily based on weight. Yes, it does monitor your weight and encourage you to gain or lose a set number of pounds, but the primary focus is on a healthy BMI.

The system helps you set a deadline for your goal, and gives you encouragement and suggestions as you progress.

Work It Off

Once you establish your goals, the Wii Fit helps you work toward them through activities in four areas: balance, aerobics, yoga, and strength training. Your best workout comes from the aerobics and strength training, although the Wii Fit will count any activity toward your goal of thirty minutes a day.

The activities are surprisingly strenuous, but still a lot of fun, and the system provides little challenges and activities to distract you from the fact you're working out (such as following set dance moves in a step program, or "going for a knockout" when shadowboxing).

As you advance in the program, the activities get progressively harder. If you're in relatively good shape, you may find the first few rounds on the Wii Fit too easy for your taste, but never fear: you'll advance to more difficult levels soon enough. And if you're just starting out, the Wii Fit system is perfect because it lets you get used to a lower level of intensity before pushing you onward.

If it's a workout you want, the Wii Fit is a fun way to get it.