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'Gamercize' Cardio at Our Desk

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the fewer-leotards-tho dept.

Gustoman writes "A new device that hit the market this week may not be able to help you put in fewer hours in the office, but it can help you get a good cardio workout while you're troubleshooting that laptop or reviewing that spreadsheet. Gamercize, a British company, this week launched the GZ PC-Sport & Power Steppe, which is designed to fit underneath a standard-sized desk so someone can sit at their computer or talk on the telephone while using the stepper. Gamercize officials note that the machine is not just a small version of a StairMaster machine that you'd find at the gym. The machine can be hooked up to a keyboard or mouse through a USB port. The user can set it up so they can use the stepper whenever they want, or they can prevent their keyboard or mouse from working unless they're exercising. There are five settings on the under-desk step machine. The lowest setting lets workers simply exercise their legs at an easy pace whenever they want. At the top level, the work out is much harder and the user must exercise to keep his or her keyboard or mouse working. At the lowest setting, a user could burn 100 to 200 calories an hour. At the top level, it is possible to burn as many as 500 calories an hour. (That's like burning off the equivalent of an entire milk shake.)"

9 of 176 comments (clear)

  1. Ok, by AltGrendel · · Score: 4, Insightful

    So why don't they set it up to recharge your laptop battery too?

    --
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    - Douglas Adams

  2. Come on . . . by PeeAitchPee · · Score: 3, Interesting

    . . . is it *really* that hard to get to the gym or outside to exercise? Sometimes a break away from your desk is a good thing. Stuff like this just preserves the sweatshop mentality already too prevalent in many IT shops. Just my .02.

    1. Re:Come on . . . by barzok · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Yes.

      I get up at 6:15, get myself ready for work, eat breakfast, get my kid ready for daycare, go to work, get home, make dinner or feed the kid, spend quality time with him, put him to bed, and by that time it's 9 PM or later. I have 2 hours left in the day to do anything else I need to do (pay bills, manage some household stuff, etc.) and then I'm back in bed.

      I tried exercising after 9. It kept me up till 12:30 AM while my body spun down and I was useless the next day.

    2. Re:Come on . . . by Red+Flayer · · Score: 3, Funny

      I get up at 6:15, get myself ready for work, eat breakfast, get my kid ready for daycare, go to work, get home, make dinner or feed the kid, spend quality time with him, put him to bed, and by that time it's 9 PM or later. I have 2 hours left in the day to do anything else I need to do (pay bills, manage some household stuff, etc.) and then I'm back in bed.
      You have a kid... this implies you have had sex.

      Speaking for a large portion of the slashdot population...

      What's it like?

      Seriously, though, I'm in the same boat. What I've discovered is that there is unused time to at least go for short walks (lunchtime, for example -- 10 mins (maximum) to eat, 20 minutes to walk around the parking lot/campus. I've also discovered that 4:30 AM is a great time to go for a walk -- I bring a bottle of water, and this wake-up ritual has replaced my early-morning coffee. It's amazing how much more energy I have throughout the day if I begin with some moderate exercise. I suppose an exercise bike would serve the same purpose, and give me a better workout while allowing me to still catch the news.
      --
      "Trolls they were, but filled with the evil will of their master: a fell race..." -- J.R.R. Tolkien on Olog-hai
    3. Re:Come on . . . by IndustrialComplex · · Score: 4, Funny

      You have a kid... this implies you have had sex.

      Speaking for a large portion of the slashdot population...

      What's it like?


      Actually it just implies that his wife had sex. ;)

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      Out of modpoints but really liked a post? 1BDkF6TtmmeZ3yqXbz9yhdYVqRYnwFoXDj
  3. Milkshake? by onion2k · · Score: 3, Funny

    That's like burning off the equivalent of an entire milk shake.

    If you're drinking 500 calorie milkshakes then this is probably something you need. If you can fit it under the desk with your huge fat legs. ;)
    --
    http://twitter.com/onion2k
  4. Good Morning, Unix Administration by Silver+Sloth · · Score: 3, Funny

    How - puff pant - can I help you - pant puff - your account's locked - puff pant - certainly - pant puff - I'll reset your password

    Sorry, I forgot, we're never that helpful.

    --
    init 11 - for when you need that edge.
  5. Excersise without going to the gym by kacksperky · · Score: 3, Insightful
    Honestly, every day I wonder about the lazy people surrounding me.

    Simple steps to get some exercise without going to and paying for a gym.

    • Leave you car at home, ride a bike to go to work, visit your friends
    • Dont use escalators or elevators
    • Run a few blocks in the morning or evening
    • Get a hobby that does not involve sitting in front of a tv or monitor
    Its just that easy and in the end might get you a few more years of healthy living.
  6. Re:News? by PeeAitchPee · · Score: 4, Funny

    I lost a stone and a half using Gamercize

    Uh oh, better run to the emergency room! I hear they can reattach those things (with minimal impact on your sex life!) if you get there quick enough and keep them in a cooler full of ice on the way . . .