Entertrainer hijacks TV if your workout's lagging
posted Oct 19th 2005 4:35PM
While we're all total workout machines here at Engadget, we realize that some people have a harder time finding the
motivation to pump themselves up. Well PowerUp Fitness thinks they have just the product to motivate the lazy lumps out
there—a heart rate monitor called the Entertrainer that either lowers your TV's volume or turns it off altogether if
your pulse doesn't stay within pre-determined thresholds during your workout. The monitor attaches to your chest and
sends its readings to a base unit, which then decides whether or not to hijack your TV. This device may provide
suitable motivation during normal programming, but when we spot a good gadget deal on QVC (or we're watching Baywatch
reruns), well, our hearts are racing so fast that the Entertrainer would most likely be rendered useless.
[Via i4u]
Why not just hook a generator up to the bike and plug the TV into that?
Why not just get a different TV, or even better, why do something like this in the first place if you're just going to try to find a way around it.
Well...hmm...not a bad idea but kind of dehumanizing. Reminds me of a shock collar or something.
no (#2), I don't think that vectorbug was suggesting a way around the device, but rather bringing up the same idea most of us fat nerds have had since being old enough to understand that you can pedal (or run, or....) to generate electricity.
And slowly, humans will devolve into hamsters...
#3: Hey, some of us need that kind of thing (sadly, myself probably included) to get properly serious about an exercise program. If my doctor tells me, "I want you to wear this little incentive..." and then slaps a shock-collar or somesuch on me, I may not like it, but it'll sure work...
I once heard of a little, heavy box with bicycle pedals you could put under your desk and use from your desk chair. You plug your monitor into it and plug it into your computer.. and it cuts out the signal unless you're pedaling.
I would seriously consider buying one for myself if I could only figure out who sells it.
Anybody out there know?
Not as bad as a shock collar - this is rewarding you with something pleasurable.