Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2009 (Wii, 2008)

I’m a detail person; just skip down to PRO/CON’s if you want quick.

OVERALL: Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2009 did not turn out to be as expected. This is better as a game with multiple levels of aerobic activity than a physical workout training session.

The JMFU2009 boasts if you have no time for the Gym-No problem! J. Michael’s challenges you w/ a fun yet intense workout of rigorous exercise routines. I found there are many activities that do get your heart pumping, but it's not like you are performing specialized fitness routines. I give this game 3 out of 5 stars because it does have some fun things, yet, it’s just not all it advertised.

The GAME: You will create an avatar. There are 4 different training activities: Weight loss, Intervals, Strength trainin, & Hill climb. Each one targets a different area of need. You can set the amount of training time from 5 to 60 minutes. Additionally, you can choose if you want a Light, Medium, or Hard training session. Option for custom workout & have the ability to choose your own 5 activities. It allows multi-player, but you will not be able to use the balance board. This limits the way the activities are performed. You also earn Fitness Tips as you complete different activities. The more time you spend the more tips you earn.

Games/Activities: Paint grenade toss, Cannon attack, Handcar pump, Tire Trail, Rowing, Monkey bars, Log jump, Log walk, Boxing, Punching bag dodge, and Running.

PROS/CONS:
Pro: Lots of variety in activities - you can do them with or without Wii balance board. Each activity is done a little differently depending on if the balance board is used or not.
Pro: Many of the activities if done correctly will really get your heart pumping.
Pro: Ability to use two controllers which gives you more mobility than the controller/nunchuck combo.
Pro/Con: some tips are useful; some are no brainers!
Pro/Con: ability to change the music; however, you can go forward or backward only one song at a time – what a nuisance.
Con: Difficult to figure out some features as the booklet that comes with it is not very detailed.
Con: Hard to find your way around initially, until you start playing with it.
Con: Not enough time given to read instructions about how to perform activity.
Con: Some of the movements, if they are supposed to replicate a sports movement, don’t seem to be very clear or clean in the action to get the avatar to move.
Con: Limited Avatar choices, limited changes to the avatars, limited clothing options, no hair choices.
Con: When trying to run with the controller/nunchuck combo, you feel limited because of the connection not being very long.
Con: Controller/nunchuck combo not very good when doing log walk you need to extend your arms –you cannot do this because the length on the cord is too short; unless you’re 6 years old.
Con: you can cheat the workout portion & just get the game to behave – thereby defeating the workout you should be getting

Overall, it seems to be more a fun game than a fitness challenge. If you are looking for correct movement – this really doesn’t help in that area. If you are trying to decide between JMFU2009 and the Wii-Fit – choose the Wii-Fit. If this is just something extra you want to add to have more variety, then I supposed it’s good for that. Everyone is different, and the features I don’t care for, perhaps someone else thinks are great. :)