MADISON, Wis. -- Weight-loss plans and fad diets come and go, but the successive of an innovative, motion-oriented gaming system has brought a new approach to shedding pounds.

Many are now wondering whether the popular Nintendo Wii can actually help people lose weight, WISC-TV reported. On the most basic level, the Nintendo Wii gets the gamer off the couch, trading thumb exercises for full-body movement. Although there are no clinical analyses of the Wii's weight-loss potential, some say that when frequently used, real results can follow.

Julie Botham, a mother of two, balances physical fitness and parenthood by transforming her living room into a personal gym using the Wii.

"I've been wanting to get more into the yoga-type stuff, and instead of joining a class and spending money I said, 'Well, this works.' So, we got this instead," she said.

Ryan Uttke, of Best Buy, isn't a personal trainer, but he said his job has changed since fitness games for the Wii hit the market.

"It has taken the gamer off of the couch," said Uttke. "They're getting up. They're moving around with their hands … Games like Wii Fit, they're moving around with their feet, jumping, dancing around, all sorts of movements depending on the game."

Uttke said the games can provide an entertaining spark that could lead people to start being more physically active, and it's made Uttke a sounding board for customers' health questions.

"I never thought I'd actually be giving fitness tips to people," he said.

As for the Wii's claims to help people lose weight, he said it's true.

"It's a valid point to say that you can lose weight with the Wii," Uttke said. "As far as training for things, like maybe a marathon, probably not so much. But with the combination of the Wii Fit, the EA Active and some of the other weight-loss games, I really think that it is possible."

Although possible, St. Mary's Hospital clinical exercise psychologist Michelle Pertzborn said weight-loss goals need more than just the Wii to be met. It takes a balance of traditional diet and exercise, she said.

"You're burning calories. You're increasing your energy expenditure, so you are getting some benefit from that," said Pertzborn, of exercising with the Wii. "Would I tell you to stop your current exercise regime? No. Continue with that."

And yet, for those who don't work out often, or at all, Pertzborn said something is better than nothing.

"If this gets someone to (exercise), introduces them to activity -- heck, I hope it stays around, but it's not going to replace exercise," said Pertzborn. "Getting someone moving is what we're hoping for."

Although the jury is still out on the Wii's potential to deliver significant weight loss, the Bothams said they are concentrating on what they've gained: family fun.

"We play the Wii a lot at home. We've taken it over to grandma and grandpa’s for Christmastime and we've all played as a family," said Botham.

As yet, there is no scientific data that can confirm the Wii's weight-loss promises, and most of the games advise players to consult a doctor before starting any exercise routine.