New York Post: CES '05: GADGETS A GO-GO

New York Post Online Edition: business:

Powergrid Fitness's Kilowatt Sport

Once upon a time, Nintendo tried to mesh video games and exercise machines with Power Pad — initially dubbed "Family Fun and Fitness."

The concept was simple: jump up and down on a floor mat hooked up to a game console, and your actions were supposedly mimicked in the game. Unfortunately, the concept flopped.

Now U.S. company Powergrid Fitness is revamping the idea with the Kilowatt Sport, which replaces the joystick with a "resistance rod."

The player sits semi-upright, feet apart, and tugs or pushes the rod. The device measures the force rather than the motion of the rod and helps tone muscles.

The device is made to work with PlayStation 2, GameCube and Xbox games requiring an analog joystick.

The Sport costs $800 yet the more advanced pro version goes for $1,200. At these prices, it would be as healthy, if not much cheaper — free, actually — to go for a jog in Central Park."


(Engadget Video Interview: E3 2004)