The app itself works perfectly. As a longtime sporadic Nike+ iPod user on the old iPod nano, we can say that all those features we expect to be there are ported over with the right amount of care for the larger screen. But there's nothing really all that revolutionary. Custom workouts, where you can pre-set options for time, distance or playlist are a nice addition, and it's nice to look at your workout history in a clearer fashion, but how come we couldn't get charts and graphs like on the Nike site? Something like the chart below, fetched from our own online history, would have been an easy addition to the feature set. And where, my fit readers, is the communication between your iPod touch and your online Nike account?

Our other complaint is that you're forced to buy the 2nd generation iPod touch in order to take advantage of the app. Plugging in the dongle to your iPhone, iPhone 3G or 1st generation touch isn't even an option. Even with firmware 2.1, you still get the "This accessory is not supported by iPhone" error. Why? The dongle solution works fine on iPod nanos, why couldn't Apple copy over the Nike+ app and make use of the transmitter?

Despite our gripes about the lack of device support and lack of new features, we still love the app. It's much prettier and readable when running than the version on even the iPod nano 4G (which have the equivalent red and white larger icons), and if you're already a serious Nike+ iPod user, the touch is a slightly better way to do what you're already doing. It's not quite good enough for you to upgrade from your current device, but think of it as an added bonus if you were thinking about getting an iPod touch for yourself so you can pass off your old iPod nano to your spouse so he or she can get into shape too. [Amazon]

[Yanko]

One of the major problems with home gym equipment is that it is bulky and often requires a dedicated room of the house to use. That is why, in my opinion, the future of home gyms will be equipment that is designed to blend in with the decor. A few weeks ago I came across a concept that attempts to tackle that design challenge, but the final product leaves much to be desired. I'm a certified personal trainer—and if I were to design a piece of functional exercise furniture, I would like to think that it would be something similar to Gabriel Prero's Otto-Bench.

The Otto-Bench conceals an adjustable bench with an Olympic press and free weights inside a stylish ottoman—it even looks as though a leg press could be incorporated into the design. Obviously, it does not give you all of the variety that a commercial gym can offer, but it does offer a good set of basics—which is a good thing because there are plenty of manufacturers out there that try and cram too much into a design making it confusing and impractical to use. To be honest, you would be surprised at the amount of things you can do with a simple bench and some weights. It even won a design competition put on by Life Fitness, so don't be surprised if you see an actual product based on the Otto-Bench design sometime in the future. [Otto-Bench via Born Rich]

The exercise area maintains the water temperature at levels that are ideal for the body's thermoregulation during an intensive workout, while the spa area heats up to get things steamy and soothing. Additionally, the spa area is positioned so close to the gymnasium portion of the tub, you won't have to expend any more calories than is necessary to get there, which is kind of ironic for a gym. So ironic, it's giving us muscle ache just thinking about it. [Bornrich]

At only $89.95 for the Springflex and around £99.90 or $200 for the Power Stepper, this combo is certainly a cheaper alternative to most home gym systems —but if you want to actually get in shape, it may be worth the extra cash and get something that isn't completely ridiculous. Speaking of ridiculous, stripping down to short shorts to do a workout in your office cubicle is not recommended. [Springflex via Random Good Stuff]

Before we begin, keep in mind that I'm not suggesting that using your expensive gaming system as a weight is the ideal situation—that would be stupid. You can use just about anything, even a jug of water to get the job done.

Step 1: Get the hell up (or have someone help you). Hangovers are a bitch, but the sooner you start, the sooner you will attain a physique that will actually be attractive to the opposite sex. (Too bad we can't work out faces, eh?)

Step 2: Now that you are awake, put down the Mt. Dew and grab a bottle of water. Drinking plenty of water is essential—it aids in digestion and it will help you lose weight. Just don't go overboard.

Step 3: Put on some Survivor "Eye of the Tiger" and some stupid looking sweatbands like the kid in Juno. Then stretch (if you have a band to help that's great) and do some light cardio for 5-10 minutes. Done? Good, now, lets do this thing...

Circuit Training Program (30 minutes):
Do one set per exercise then move on to the next. Thirty second max per exercise unless otherwise noted. Complete two circuits with few minute's rest in between. If you are way out of shape, start slow and work your way up.

Exercise 1. One arm clean and press (works quads, shoulders, calves, glutes): 15-20 reps on each arm

Exercise 2. Upright row (works traps, biceps, shoulders): 20 reps

Exercise 3. Kicks (cardio): Alternate 10 reps on each leg for 40 total reps.

Exercise 4. Concetration curls (works biceps): 20 reps each arm

Exercise 5. Overhead triceps extensions (works triceps): 20 reps

Exercise 6. Our own Adrian Covert illustrates the bent over row with the PS3 (works most muscles in back, traps, biceps): 20 reps

Exercise 7. Shadow boxing (cardio): Jab 10x (alternating) then uppercut 10x (alternating). Repeat.

Exercise 8. Adrian again with the PS3 doing weighted push-ups (works chest, triceps, shoulders): 15-20 reps

Exercise 9: Weighted crunches (works abdominals): 20-30 reps

Exercise 10: Woodchops (works abdominals, shoulders, lats): 15 reps on each side

Rest for 2-3 minutes and repeat circuit four times.

So there you have it, a New Year's workout that any gaming geek can relate to. Hopefully this interim set of drills will help get you back into a regular fitness regimen—or even an actual gym. But first you have to go outside—baby steps.

If you're feeling a little more proactive, you can use the built-in Fitness Mode to challenge yourself. In Fitness Mode, songs with increasing tempos will be chosen and it is your task to speed up to match them. If the sensor thinks your heart rate is exceeding safe limits, it will toss in a slower song to cool you down. Don't like your tunes? It comes loaded with several beat tracks that will automatically remix themselves and adjust their tempo to keep you guessing. Plug the BODiBEAT into your computer to see exercise logs each week with charts of your pacing alongside other info. $299 is a steep price for a small device, but if you're a serious runner it could pay off in the long haul. [Yamaha BODiBEAT via jkOnTheRun]

A tacky gift for yourself, but a brilliant (and not-so-subtle) way to remind your wife that your baby's already 18-months old and that extra weight hasn't gone anywhere. – Jason Chen

20 Second Work Out Girl [Gadgetshop via Coolest Gadgets]