The Nintendo Wii has become quite the unexpected fitness phenomenon. With each console bundled with Wii Sports, some players find that they are able to shed a few pounds by wildly flailing the Wii Remote controller.

Building upon the health benefits of having a motion controller, Nintendo launched in Japan last year the Wii Fit Balance Board hardware accessory and game. The package allowed Wii owners to partake in various fitness and balance-related movements.

At GDC 2008, Nintendo announced that Wii Fit will launch in North America on May 19. Additionally, Wii Fit includes access to the Wii Fit Channel, an interactive channel that lets users check in each day to track their fitness progress through weight and BMI.

European gamers, who are accustomed to usually being the last to receive new gaming products, may be surprised to learn that Wii Fit will arrive in Europe on April 15.

The Wii Fit software includes four training categories including Aerobic Exercises, Muscle Workouts, Yoga and Balance Games that allow users to try over 40 different activities such as Hula Hoop, Ski Jump, Press-up Challenge, Rhythm Boxing, Rowing Squat, Lunge and classic Yoga poses such as Half Moon, Tree and Crocodile Twist.

While Nintendo never explicitly explained the delay between the Japanese and western releases, the Wii Balance Board in Japan supports up to 136kg, while the one intended for Europe and North America can handle a heftier 150kg.

In Japan, Wii Fit has sold more than 1.4 million units since its December 1 launch, making it one of the fastest selling Wii titles in the territory.