Check out equipment that stumps the mind
Time and again, exercise equipment is created specifically to help users bypass the tried-and-true method of sweating it out. From the weSurf, which attempts to recreate the surfing experience at home (sans the bleached-blond 'do), to a treadmill that powers a bicycle, the no-gym-needed gadgets below encourage the most calorie burn-by way of cracking us up.
Prosepra weSurf!
Designed to simulate surfing, this computer-controlled device is meant to work your core muscles and improve balance-though we imagine the only wave-riding skill you'll master is the wipeout, dude. Photo courtesy of Prosepra.com.
The Telephone Dumbbell
The art of Chindogu (a.k.a. useless Japanese inventions) inspired the quirky gadget above. Pump out three sets of 15 and get an intermittent pep talk at the same time! Photo courtesy of The Big Bento Box of Unuseless Japanese Inventions by Kenji Kawakami, Dan Papia.
Hawaii Chair
No grass skirt, pretty flower lei or seashell bra? This hula-inspired chair-meant to improve balance, align the spine and improve blood circulation-has got it all wrong. Photo courtesy of Amazon.com.
Shake Weight
Marketed to women as a way to tone the upper body by using isometric contractions and rapid muscle fatigue, the Shake Weight might bring all the boys to the yard...but they will probably be laughing. Photo courtesy of ShakeWeight.com.
uGallop
The uGallop-which aims to give riders a full-body workout-promises all the inner-thigh soreness of a regular horseback riding session, in one computer-operated swoop. Photo courtesy of Brookstone.com.
Treadmill Bike
This unique bike gives the treadmill-an immobile type of exercise equipment meant to simulate the act of running-actual mobility. Genius, huh? And all this time we thought people used treadmills to avoid running outside. Photo courtesy of BikeForest.com.
Kangoo Jumps
It's difficult to see how one walks in these shoes-meant to decrease impact by up to 80 percent-let alone runs and dances. Sadly, your impact with the ground will not be reduced when you fall over. Photo courtesy of KangooJumps.com.
Fitness Cube
Round is out-too one-sided, we suppose. The Fitness Cube, a multitasking gadget meant to support 30 different exercises, is in-even if it leaves us feeling a little square. Photo courtesy of YouTube.com.
Pumgo
Who knew the only encouragement people needed to climb stairs was forward movement rather than upward? This pedal scooter promises a free ride with a full cardiovascular workout. Photo courtesy of Pumgo.com.
Slendertone
The first abdominal exercise belt incarnations were banned for false advertising, but a new FDA-approved version is back on the market and promises-via forced muscle contraction-to produce flat abs without an ounce of exercise. Uh-huh. Photo courtesy of SlendertoneUSA.com.
Thank you Holly for sending me this article. :)
