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Seniors can improve balance, gain confidence and have fun exercising — all while playing a video game.

The Nintendo Wii, a new gaming system, uses a wireless, handheld controller that allows the player to get up off the sofa and interact with a game.

The Wii, initially designed with youth in mind, is increasingly popular in senior centers and retirement communities across the nation. In an Internet search for “Wii and seniors,” more than seven million hits pop up. Many are for stories, blogs or discussion groups about how the system is a hit with seniors. Even YouTube has its share of humorous videos.

And Anacortes is no exception.

Chandler’s Square Retirement Community bought one a couple months ago.

“We bought it because we’d read some articles concerning the Wii and seniors with the research showing a lot of physical therapy offices use them because patients actually worked harder because it was fun,” said Mary Staley, community relations director.

In the past, Chandler’s Square has offered old-fashioned games like bowling, golf and horseshoes. Most have been replaced by the Wii.

“The Wii has all those things but with a little more movement,” Staley said. “So far the response has been pretty good.”

Cap Sante Court Retirement Community and the Anacortes Senior Center are both considering making the purchase.

The console comes with a sports package that includes baseball, bowling, boxing, golf and tennis. Other games adults might enjoy include My Weight Loss Coach, Tiger Woods PGA Tour, Rapala Tournament Fishing and AMF Bowling Pinbusters.

The system retails for about $250.

Integrating it into senior centers is becoming popular because the system is user-friendly and a fun way to encourage socialization with exercise, said Ramona Severson, a physical therapist at the Walk of Life physical therapy center in Anacortes.

“This software encourages movement and can be adapted to various levels of ability, allowing people to push themselves in a safe environment, in a fun way,” she said.

Severson will demonstrate the system and talk about physical fitness activities using the Wii at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 29 at the Senior Center.

One of the biggest challenges for the senior population is balance.

Severson said use of the Wii at care facilities has been shown to improve patients’ functional activities in daily living as well as improve confidence.

“Patients are able to stand longer, demonstrate equal weight distribution and walk farther after Wii program participation,” Severson said.

Plus there’s the fun factor.

“The sound component of the games adds to the enjoyment,” she said. “Who doesn’t want to hear the sound of the crack of baseball and bat, the swell of the music, and the roar of the crowd as their player scores?”

Though the Senior Center doesn’t have a system, it may be added in the future.

“It’s a pretty new idea in the senior community to take part in such things,” said Sally Hill, Senior Center director. “It kind of seeped into other generations.”

The Anacortes center had its first Wii demonstration a couple months ago by a group of kids.

“I’m detecting some mild appreciation. I haven’t yet had people jump up and down and say we have to get one,” Hill said.

Some have already seen or even used the system, often with grandkids.

“It seems to be more common that people know what it is and have experienced it,” Hill said.

At a recent Washington State Association of Senior Centers conference, Wii was one area of discussion. A handful of centers across the state have the system, Hill said.

“Those that were using the Wii were really enthusiastic about how well it’s going,” she said.