Riders who use stationary bicycles at the Student Recreation Center now have the option of racing each other, themselves, or if the mood strikes, a blood-red, scale-covered dragon.
The race settings complement the dozens of features offered on the new Expresso bikes, designed to pull the rider out of the gym and into his or her own world of exercise. The rec center purchased the bikes this year, keeping up with futuristic machinery that has been invading the fitness market. These new exercise tools are novel, useful and up-to-date on the latest technology.
The rec center offers two Expresso bikes. They appear as traditional stationary bikes, albeit the addition of a T.V. screen above the handlebars. The screen shows the “path” a rider travels, along with scenery and other “bikers.” The rider can choose settings that allow him or her to race the person on the other bike or to race recent personal results. There is a simulated bike route through China in which riders can race against a dragon. The scenery is realistic and riders can steer the bikes. One setting even prevents riders from steering off a cliff.
Rec center manager Kristina Voskes said that clients of the center enjoy the bikes. They have said that the interactive screen allows them to lose sight of how many miles they’ve biked. “It’s just a new way to work out,” Voskes said.
At a glance
| How much it all costs and where to buy it Expresso Bikes: $4,200 each, www.expresso.com Dunaflex Gyroball: $26.99, www.sportsunlimitedinc.com Aquabeat MP3 Player: $144.99, www.speedousa.com Jump Snap: $49.95, www.amazon.com Low-tech alternatives to high-tech exercise Expresso Bikes: Find a friend and go biking in Alton Baker Park. Gyroball: Attach a weight to a string and tie it to a stick. Hold it straight out and roll it up and then unroll it. Repeat. Aquabeat: Find a pool with underwater speakers similar to the ones used in synchronized swimming. Short of that, sing in your head. Jump Snap: Go to Hirons and buy a normal jump rope. Time yourself and jump. |
The bikes are the only futuristic exercise equipment the rec center has purchased so far, but they aren’t the only high-tech equipment students are using. University senior Dustin Moore said he uses a gyroball to tone his arms for rock climbing.
The gyroball is an exercise device the user holds in his or her hands while the ball spins using internal power. There are no batteries, strings, or external power. The spinning produces torque, which exerts a force on the user’s forearms and creates a challenging workout. It’s becoming popular with professional athletes and anyone who participates in a sport requiring arm strength.
Waterproof MP3 players and headphones for swimmers are permeating the market, but with mixed results. The Aquabeat, for example, holds 1 GB of music, works to depths of 10 feet and floats.
Former University swim team member Tim Johnson said he has used a waterproof MP3 player and didn’t like it. It attached to his goggle strap at the back of his head.
“It was too bulky,” he said. In addition, he said the player stopped working at depths of only a few feet. Most swimmers he knows don’t use the players while swimming.
Johnson also tried using an MP3 player while surfing, but experienced the same results. “When you’re working out, it kind of gets in the way,” he said.
Some futuristic exercise equipment is just a variation on a classic. For instance, the JumpSnap jump rope has two handles, a calorie counter, timer, six 2.5 ounce weights and an instructional DVD – but no rope. The jumper swings the handles and they make a snapping sound to help keep a rhythm.
Other new-age jump ropes aren’t as extreme. The Tanita Healthy Jump Rope counts calories, and the Nike SPARQ Speed Rope has a stainless steel rope and ball bearings for a smooth jump.
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