I’m pretty lazy when it comes to physical fitness. It’s my opinion that there is no such thing as “runner’s high” — it’s really hyperventilating. Nevertheless, here I was, standing in my socks next to the balance board while Wii Fit Plus toured me through the all the features waiting to improve my health. I’ll admit I got that “this is silly” feeling, and I hoped it would subside during my next month with the game.

The board sighs when I step on it; not a good first impression. “I’m not fat!” I yell at the screen.

Wii Fit Plus begins by calibrating the dreaded Wii Fit Age with a selection of body tests that check balance, spatial awareness and concentration. During my first analysis, I’m given an activity that combines mental and physical requirements. My job is to lean in the direction of the numbers with the least value. Great. Math and exercise.

Other tasks include shifting your body to move a bar on the screen into the highlighted area and then to hold it there for a few seconds. The highlighted area grows smaller until your shifting just the tiniest bit of weight. At the end of the test, Wii Fit Plus tells me I’m 34. What?! Never tell a woman she physically is older than she actually is, Wii Fit Plus. Don’t you ever want to settle down?

The game encourages you to take a body test every time you use Wii Fit Plus as a way to track your improvement, but the results can be deceiving and, at times, a little harsh. The Wii Fit Age relates directly to your performance of each task. For example, when I got a low score on an activity I didn’t understand, my Wii Fit Age was 52. When I do well on all tests, my age result is significantly lower.

The several modes of play in Wii Fit Plus include Yoga, Weight Training, My Wii Fit Plus and Balance Games. Scrolling right past Weight Training, I decide to try the Training Plus section first. This area hosts minigames like Rhythm Kung Fu and Tilt City that are designed as immersive exertion.

“We’ll see about that,” I think to myself. My first attempt is in Rhythm Kung Fu. As the avatars on the screen sway to the karate-themed music, they perform a handful of moves executed in time with the song. Each time you punch, kick or stand on one leg, you earn a rating of “perfect” or “ok.” If you do nothing, you get a “miss” and a zero.

I was having so much fun; it didn’t occur to me that I was working out until Wii Fit Plus told me I burned six calories in my five-minute game. Bonus! I forgot all about the healthy, exercising part. Well played, Wii Fit Plus, well played.

Then I tried Snowball Fight and realized the whole immersion idea works until you are playing a game you don’t like. It was painfully obvious that I was supposed to be active as I leaned and threw (aimed and pushed a button: boo) imaginary balls of snow at my on-screen enemies.

Despite my experience with the snowballs, I still managed to find four minigames I really enjoyed. As I continued to use Wii Fit Plus, these games became a way to reward myself for completing 15 or more minutes with Weight Training and Yoga. Overall, Training Plus accomplishes the goal of enjoyment and is by far the most entertaining mode in the game.

After warming up with the fun part of the Wii Fit Plus, I pulled up the Strength Training menu and went right for advanced moves like plank twists and some leg-lifting exercises. My goal was to see how comfortable the balance board was when putting weight on it with my hands and how secure I felt balancing myself on the raised platform.

Push-ups are not comfortable calisthenics, so collaborating that with a twist and reach can be daunting. There is no illusion of fun in Weight Training mode, but my personal trainer walked me through everything, and as I was executing the action, she vocally encouraged me with tips on breathing and staying focused. Obviously, the balance board isn’t the same soft texture as the mats of your local gym, but it’s still more comfortable than doing a push-up on hardwood flooring. (My body is still sore — must have done something right!)

After playing by myself for a week, it was time to test the multiplayer aspect of Wii Fit Plus. My husband wasn’t too excited, but after I promised to show him the snowboarding game if he played along, he reluctantly made a Mii and went through the body calibration so that we could play together. Wii Fit Plus will calibrate your whole family and create a personal profile for each member. You can also set a password for your profile if you are shy about your weight-loss goals (I think that’s nice).

Excited to begin, I started looking for the multiplayer option, but I was disappointed to find that there are only a handful of activities similar to those in the Training Plus section for us to compete in. I was hoping for a chance to do some of the Weight Training or Yoga sections with him, but I guess Nintendo is saving that for Wii Fit Plus 2.

I enjoyed working out on Wii Fit Plus, but like most health products, it only works if you use it. If you are looking for a way to get into fitness, Wii Fit Plus is a great place to start. It has an endless resource of customizable workout plans that can fit into any lifestyle, as well as an encouraging, goal-oriented atmosphere. If you are a Schwarzenegger-esque body builder, you probably already have a good routine and do not need the encouragement.