Diet Blog talks about the new gyms McDonalds is installing in their buildings:

“We already know they can sit and play Nintendo forever. But what if they could operate an exercise bike to play it? (via)
Calling the area a gym is clever branding - the area contains basketball hoops, stationary bikes (with video screens) and an obstacle course.

It’s an admirable move by the fast food giant that already offers a large range of healthier food alternatives. However the irony is inescapable - McDonald’s is about selling burgers - not increasing fitness.

Ever tried rebounding? No, it’s not when you’ve failed a diet and fallen off the plan again. It’s actually getting your cardio in using a trampoline.

Just don’t break your neck on the ceiling…

Get Rich Slowly has a guide on walking for fun and profit that covers all the reasons you should walk to get stuff done as much as possible, and all the benefits it can bring.

Back in Skinny Jeans points out how good looking, yet realistic, the strong womenthat Bowflex uses to promote it’s machine and notes:

Muscle weighs more than fat, but it burns 9x the calories, and it takes up less space, so it does not expand the body inches like the equal poundage of fat does. The muscle also gives you curves that starvation and deprivation never can. It would be wonderful if we could see more runway models with more muscle instead of more bones.

Preach it!

Ben Roethlisberger came from Findlay, Ohio, not to far north of where I live. As a result the news that he sustained serious head injuries during a motorcycle crash is all over the news here. NetSweat points out that even in regular cycling and fitness activities with cycling or rollerblading you should always wear a helmet.

Lori Braun points out that Marilyn pumped iron and worked out long before it was considered good for women to do so.

2nd Wind Exercise takes a closer look at the growing popularity of elliptical trainers.

The most obvious benefit is that unlike the treadmill or running, the elliptical gives you a good cardio burn with low impact. You won’t be replacing knees after several years of using one of these!

If you are the handyman type, this Inventgeek.com article on building your own DDR machine might be of interest…

I mentioned earlier that the iPod was one of the cooler pieces of fitness equipment out there, and someone has taken this to the natural conclusion: they’ve created an online place for you to download iPod fitness song lists.

Mark over at A Passion for Running asks if he’s the only oneapathetic about the Nike iPod? I’m a huge Apple fan myself, typing this on a svelte 12′ Powerbook, and the Nike iPod seems like a nice addition to the exercise fitness gadgets lineup, but I also am not all that enthralled by it either.

But I love the iPod in general, I think of it as one of the cooler fitness gadgets out there!