Of course, that means you wouldn't have to sit staring at a wall or a TV while exercising—you could virtually travel down roads anywhere in the world. Unfortunately, the design needs some tinkering to be really usable—but it's a fantastic concept that's really worth pursuing. If there was a commercial product that got this right, I would probably be all over it. Hit the following link to learn how to do something like this at home. [Bako via Make]

Let me just preface this by saying that I worked as a personal trainer for years and, for the most part, I steered my clients towards cardio programs that did not involve a lot of high-impact running. The bottom line is this—an effective cardio workout is all about getting your heart rate into the appropriate training zones—and you don't need to run in order to achieve this. That's where Nautilus is coming from with the Mobia.

Mobia strengthens the core, builds endurance and improves balance by combining the movements of the most popular and effective gym equipment: the forward motion of a treadmill, the stepping motion of a stair stepper and the low-impact benefits of an elliptical. This three-in-one motion is possible because Mobia operates with two separate "treadles" that rise to meet the users` feet as they walk. The action of pushing down the gently resistant treadles provides an intense workout with maximum efficiency, while reducing stress on knees and ankles.

So you are walking here—not running. But the stair-stepping and elliptical motion should provide enough of a challenge that even fit users can get a real workout. Of course, it is up to you to decide whether or not walking vs running will keep you motivated—but the $2000 price tag might decide for you. [Mobia and Reuters]

Using Philips' software, you preload your fitness goals (the amount of daily activity you're aiming for) onto the device. Then, as you go about your day with the monitor in your pocket, its series of opaque dots will begin to glow green.

With each 15% you finish of your daily quota, this makeshift status bar fills that much more.

If you're as addicted to watching status bars complete while doing mundane tasks like downloading or copying files as I am, the device could lead to straight-up dangerous levels of exercise—especially since the meter leaves space for overflow should you give, say, 115%.

The Activity Monitor currently sells for $80, plus you'll need to pay a $12.50 fee every month, which also gets you personalized advice from a real person. And Philips tells us that they have a lot of custom algorithms to detect movement much better than a regular accelerometer, like the difference between running and jogging and doing housework and so on. If only Philips also sold a Wallet Monitor that could track their petty nickle and diming that turns us off to an otherwise promising device. [Philips via ubergizmo]

That having been said, the Cyberbike is being developed by European publisher Bigben Interactive and comes bundled with some sort of lame treehugger game that requires you clean up the planet with the power of your eco-calves (don't worry, it also works with Mario Kart). The bike is slated for a January release in Europe, but pricing details have not been announced. Granted, it will most likely be cheaper than purchasing an actual exercise bike, but I can't imagine that some plastic, boxed Wii accessory will be able to handle the beating. Even professional stationary bikes break down on a fairly regular basis. [Kotaku]

However, as has been noted, this rechargeable $80 gadget may have been designed with the best intentions in mind (i.e. protect you from becoming a bug on someone's windshield), but it looks a bit big and unwieldy for running. Perhaps the LED, which casts light a respectable 54 feet ahead, is more suited to the slightly more leisurely pace of the ambitious cave running circuit I'm currently selling incredibly hard right now?

In any event, it's due out in October. The headgear, I mean. [Black Diamond via BBG]

This is only a concept of course, but imagine how much weight you would lose if you had to pedal to enjoy all of the inappropriate videos you peruse online? You would be in great shape in no time. Of course, it may take a while before you are ready to "multitask" and kick that workout into overdrive. [Matt Grey via Make]

The upside is that it's only $59 and functions as a wristwatch when you're not running. It doesn't have all the features that an iPod and Nike+ combination does, and you obviously can't listen to music, but it lets you run without all that extra stuff on you.

BoingBoingGadgets doesn't say whether or not you can actually calibrate your runs, but you can use Gmaps to map out your path and use that as calibration. Not an optimal solution if you're only going to be running on treadmills.

Still, it's $59, and if all you want to do is run, this is it. Launches Wednesday. [BBG via iPodNN]

So do what we do: Don't workout. Eat terribly. And only copulate with partners who promise to either ignore Cheetos-induced stretch marks or allow you to wear your RIPT FUSION t-shirt in a jacuzzi.

What's a RIPT FUSION shirt? Well it's "a classic men's undershirt injected with steroids," of course. For just $58, it'll add pecs and abs all while sucking in the flabby parts. But even more critical to society, it'll put geeks on the same playing field as jocks, the lazy on the same playing field as the obnoxiously active.

Even if the Ript Fusion is too gimmicky to make you look good, it could eventually make muscles look bad. And in the long run, that's really just as beneficial. [RIPT via Super Punch]

But now the BodyTrace scale, $120 this November, wants to publish your weight (via Wi-Fi we assume via GSM, easy!) to their website. You can then share this very personal information, along with a daily food diary and interactive BMI chart, for "friends, family, or co-workers" to better "motivate" you—a public festival of humiliation that will only cost you $20 ever 3 months.

I don't know about you, but I'm just gonna post a shots of my second chin and third testicle to get the punishment out of the way. At least that won't cost me anything as my dignity has long been spent. [BodyTrace via CrunchGear]

You can choose between three daimyo characters from the Sengoku, or Warring States. The more you walk, the closer you and your foot soldiers will come to conquering Japan. Although, something tells me Samurai wouldn't need a nap after five minutes on a treadmill. [Bandai via Impress via Tokyo Mango]

Ones that are "more accurate" and completely sharable with friends over the Internet? Great, because I smell another sweaty six-month review in your future if this rumor comes true at E3.

Basically, as the headline suggests, an online WIi Fit, complete with enhanced MotionPlus sensitivity, is arriving sometime this year, with the big announce scheduled for E3. Here's hoping one of the new workouts is a Star Wars kid jump-around-the-room-til-you-pass-out routine involving a sword and some cool balance board moves.

Oh, and there's Mario to consider too. Kotaku has more. [Kotaku]

Posture and Eye Strain:

USB Vision and Posture Reminder: With each passing day, I can feel my posture slipping further and further into the realm of Quasimodo. In order to prevent a full-on hump, this USB vision and posture reminder can be employed to nag you back to health. Just set it atop your monitor and it will sound an alarm / flash LED lights when you get within 13.7-inches of the screen. [USB Geek via Link]

Gunnar Optiks Eye Strain Glasses: Another way to prevent eye strain and headaches from staring at the computer all day is to wear a pair of these yellow-tinted glasses from Gunnar Optiks. According to our own tests, they actually work pretty well. [Gunnar]

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.Chaise His and Her Chairs: There are plenty of comfortable chairs out there that can be used to help posture, but these Chaise chairs are among the most unique. As you can see, they mold to the human form—lifting, separating and, in most cases, enhancing. [Amateur DeDesign via Link]

Gaining Weight:

Trek Desk: Another consequence of using the computer all day is weight gain. The Trek desk provides a cardio workout by fitting a treadmill in with your workspace. This particular version also features a stability ball chair accessory that will work your core and promote better posture. It's also bouncy—and bouncy equals fun. [TrekDesk via Link]

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.Springflex UB: The Trek Desk dealt with cardio and core, and now the Springflex can jump in and handle the strength training. According to the product page, 120 exercises can be performed by simply attaching the arms to your desk. [Skymall via Link]

RSI and Carpal Tunnel:

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.Foot Mouse: One way to eliminate the risk of developing injuries like RSI and Carpal Tunnel is to avoid using your hands all together. As the name illustrates, the Foot Mouse lets your feet do the surfing. The footpad on the left has programmable buttons, while the right pad is used to move the cursor. Unfortunately, you will probably need the coordination of a drummer to make this device practical. [Bili Inc via Link]

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.Fit Fingers GripGlider: This bizarre-looking contraption claims to reduce the pain associated with RSI and carpal tunnel by strengthening the wrists with "dozens of exercises." [Link]

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.Swiftpoint Triped Mouse: The Triped mouse is designed to combine the mouse, touchpad, and the digitizer pen into one ergonomic device. It's also a great way to flex those penmanship muscles. Seriously, cursive is becoming extinct—and when forced to actually write something down, for most of us it looks as though we did it with a hook hand. [Simtrix via Link]

Neck Pain and Other Physical Ailments:

The Cool.con Reflexology universal remote claims to relieve pain from just about anywhere on the body using spines that stimulate pressure points on the hand. [Funshop via Link]

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.Vertical Traction Kit: If you have neck pain from slouching over the computer all day, this rather frightening device helps to ease pain by stretching out muscles and the spinal column. [Link]

The Olymp is an off-season trainer that you strap into your boots and work your carving muscles with a turn simulator. It sure doesn't look as fun as normal skiing, what with you being stuck in one place, but it definitely will work the muscles you need to keep strong. If they had this in my gym, I'd definitely use it. [Ski Trainer via Born Rich]

Unlike the Bowflex's rubber bands (which, coincidentally, were used by the machine being replaced, the iRED), the aRED uses piston-driven vacuum cylinders that provide adjustable resistance as the piston is pulled in or out. A flywheel system counteracts the force of the pistons to simulate the response of free weights in normal gravity.

While astronauts have been just fine with their cardio, studies detailing the damaging effects of muscle lost after a long-term space mission are still coming in. A recent report stated that without exercises like those possible on the aRED, astronauts could lose up to 15% of their muscle volume, which could be difficult or even impossible to regain back on earth. So the aRED's goal is not to build muscle but simply to maintain it.

With a voyage to Mars expected to take at least six months, this is a problem that needs to be solved. Thankfully, the aRED is well on its way to keeping astronauts buffed enough for the job. [Wired Science]

As mentioned, one of the benefits of the 310XT is its rugged waterproof exterior (rated for a depth of up to 50 meters), but it also features an impressive 20 hours of battery life—that's double the capacity of its predecessor the 305. Both the 310XT and the more stylish 405CX feature GPS, wireless connectivity / data syncing via Garmin's ANT+ technology and improved accuracy with regard to tracking burned calories.

Garmin makes some of the best sport watches in the biz, so I can only hope that these new offerings will follow in that tradition. Athletes looking for a cool training tool can expect to drop $369 for the 405XT and $349 for the 310XT when they are released sometime in Q2—but I wouldn't drop the cash if you expect to wear these bad boys with a suit if you know what I mean. [Garmin]

Spotted a few months back in a less polished form, Wii Jog is a small, pedometer-like box that plugs into the Wiimote. You simply walk in place and aim the Wiimote the direction you'd like to go. Your onscreen persona should follow suit.

It's a bit hard to believe that Jog works for each and every game. There's a list of only 100 compatible titles for the PS2 version of Jog—the company claims "jOG works with any video [Wii] game, but some work better than others. We think it works best with sports games, shooters, platform and adventure games and our favourite game is Lego Star Wars." But for about $37, it's not a huge risk. [Firebox and NCG]

The video below has everyone from amputees to injured high school cross country athletes singing the GlideCycle's praises, and it does look fun. When a machine lets someone with only one leg run a half mile "for the first time in 10 years," I can get behind that.

[GlideCycle via DVICE]

The problem is that the mat isn't hooked up to anything. It's not a gigantic calculator and it can't connect with your phone to send text messages. Still, I see potential here. Working computer keyboard mats, television remotes and the like could make for an amusing fitness routine that wouldn't grow old for at least a few hours...maybe even a few days. [Exergame Fitness via Shiny Shiny]

Apple filed patents on an iPod touch-like personal trainer that tracks your fitness level and schedule, has personalized workouts, answers nutrition and health questions and monitors your heart-rate and motion through sensors to track your workouts. And if you wimp out of your workout, it bitches at you. Hence, "iProd," though it's mentioned nowhere in the actual patent application.

Personally, I'm still on the bandwagon "iProd0,1" is a generic iProduct placeholder, which is in fact standing in for magic French toast. [New Scientist, Times Online - Thanks Evan!]

By keeping track of all your daily movements / calories burned and comparing those numbers to a predetermined goal, the user should be able to keep their metabolism running like a well-oiled machine. The fact that it vibrates and lights up red when you are being lazy also adds a bit of incentive.

I'm not sure if Gruve will ever become a real-world product, but it is definitely a good idea. Even if you are already fit, this could prove extremely useful. Personally, I would use something like this in the gym to keep the appropriate pace and level of intensity during a circuit program. [Worrell via Core77 via DVICE]