Video: The greatest fitness invention ever?
posted at 12:21 pm on December 20, 2008 by Allahpundit
Via this guy. I know, I know — it’s anciently old, but it was new to me when I spent two minutes in hysterics watching it last night. The company URL is real, too, which I guess makes this Improbable Non-Hoax Week at HA.
Like one YouTube commenter says, the next step is building a stationary bike you can ride on the road. Exit question: Who’s up for a nice jog with another person running literally a foot behind you?
Blowback
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It would work better for me if there was a stick dangling a twinkie on the front.
Nethicus on December 20, 2008 at 12:24 PM
I’m still laughing!! That is HYSTERICAL!
stonemeister on December 20, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Isn’t this how Fred Flintstone got his start?
katy on December 20, 2008 at 12:27 PM
I want to see it slalom.
redshirt on December 20, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Since I didn’t see any way to steer it there are obviously other exercises involved in using it. Bend at the knees when you turn that sucker around.
Cindy Munford on December 20, 2008 at 12:31 PM
No, that wasn’t funny. That music was annoying. Funny would have been two sweaty fat people in harnesses pulling him while he rode Ben Hur style, cracking a whip. Funny would have been the Porsche blowing the stop sign, t-boning him and sending him flying into a tree. Funny could have even been him driving by a hot female jogger; then a moment later, they’re on the tread-cart with her in front, running for her life while he pursues her, slavering and gibbering like a true fitness loon. No, nothing funny in that video..and that music could stop a bowel movement on an constipated Rhino. Turn the sound down if you haven’t watched it yet.
austinnelly on December 20, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Now if only they could make one that you can use indoors, so I don’t have to go outside.
badpenguin on December 20, 2008 at 12:32 PM
I want to see someone go trail running with it.
Bishop on December 20, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Finally, a way to stop at the grocery store while you’re jogging, and still jog home.
Assuming there’s some way to park it without it being stolen.
Tanya on December 20, 2008 at 12:33 PM
LOLOL
As Teh Stoopid ™ as this looks, those of us who used to jog frequently but whose now-Goodwill-worthy knees and plantar fasciitis confine us to boring gyms and ellipticals are looking at this w/ longing.
Wouldn’t buy it cause it’d stick out like a sore thumb, but it’s really not a bad idea.
inviolet on December 20, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Sweet! No more over-priced running shoes for moi!
locomotivebreath1901 on December 20, 2008 at 12:36 PM
I wouldn’t assume anyone would be interested in stealing it.
DFCtomm on December 20, 2008 at 12:38 PM
This has to have a carbon footprint. It’ll never fly with the greenies..
katy on December 20, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Judging from the house some of the pics were taken in, that guy has too much money to throw at stupid things.
aikidoka on December 20, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Maybe Gm should look into something like this to
help stay afloat…
whunterx on December 20, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Get rid of that annoying music and put in the theme from The Benny Hill Show and it would be funny.
Ceroth on December 20, 2008 at 12:46 PM
How come they didn’t show the guy going down a nice big hill?
That would totally rock!
Stephen Macklin on December 20, 2008 at 12:48 PM
People will steal anything. Not because they’d want to use it — just because they’re bored and it has wheels.
Tanya on December 20, 2008 at 12:48 PM
LOL!! I loved the first post. A twinkie dangling in front!!
Nethicus on December 20, 2008 at 12:24 PM
That would make one work more! It is pretty interesting. The music was a tad nerve wracking. But it is cool. Does it turn? Not sure if I saw it turn. I am pretty tiny. If I had one, I would shrink. Don’t want to shrink. But was pretty funny. Would that help someone lose weight? Like my stair master. I thought it was good. But a trainer told me it doesn’t do what most think they do. The treadmills that stand still, make me to tired.
sheebe on December 20, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Blocks for converting the device to indoor use are $99.00 extra.
Capitalism, is there anything it can’t do?
SteveMG on December 20, 2008 at 12:50 PM
I’m sure Al Gore is looking at it for all of us…but not for himself of course.
Haunchie on December 20, 2008 at 12:52 PM
exactly what i thought when i first saw it. definitely easier on the knees (and back too, maybe) than jogging.
to bad it looks like a medieval torture device…
homesickamerican on December 20, 2008 at 12:55 PM
I’ve seen this before… it’s clear that he’s not just jogging but really pushing on the thing to make it go in the first place. That nullifies the possible benefit of being a lower-impact workout. Otherwise, it’s just stupid.
Andrew D on December 20, 2008 at 12:57 PM
I would have to cheat and install an electric motor, then cruise by the ladies.
A cooler on the back full of refreshing fitness drinks, in my case a twelve pack of Dos Equis, would also be a smart idea.
Bishop on December 20, 2008 at 1:01 PM
“Help, Jane! Stop this crazy thing!
Help, Jaaaaaaaaane!”
DarthBrooks on December 20, 2008 at 1:03 PM
Certified for mountain use????
Amendment X on December 20, 2008 at 1:12 PM
That must be one of the dumbest things I’ve seen in quite a while.
tx2654 on December 20, 2008 at 1:18 PM
AP always strikes me as the cool, not too high, not too low type of guy
So, when he says he was in hysterics, I must watch
blatantblue on December 20, 2008 at 1:18 PM
Boy, the music just sells it, doesn’t it?
Spirit of 1776 on December 20, 2008 at 1:19 PM
I want to see it go uphill.
Meryl Yourish on December 20, 2008 at 1:19 PM
No, as a poster above mentioned, I want to see it go down a steep hill.
Watch the guy try to run backwards on the stupid thing.
SteveMG on December 20, 2008 at 1:22 PM
AP,
I’m going into hysterics picturing you going into hysterics while you watch this. Yes, I had seen the clip before, but I didn’t read the YouTube comment. That is hilarious.
iamse7en on December 20, 2008 at 1:24 PM
I think this is what Nancy Pelosi means by green cars.
ramrocks on December 20, 2008 at 1:26 PM
I think I’ll wait for the motorized version, with cup holders.
Syd B. on December 20, 2008 at 1:32 PM
Is that thing geared? ‘Cause, like Meryl, I want to see that guy drag an extra hundred pounds uphill.
eeyore on December 20, 2008 at 2:03 PM
It’s so pointless it reminds me of Rube Goldberg. Sort of…
karl9000 on December 20, 2008 at 2:03 PM
Um,..I know this is a stupid question, but,..why not just use the ground? I mean it’s only about 5 inches away.
christene on December 20, 2008 at 2:05 PM
errrrrrr – I would like to see how the “driver” of that contraption does while going downhill at 40mph.
Since my 401k has become a 201k I will pass on investing.
iam7545 on December 20, 2008 at 2:18 PM
Faster, faster! He’s gainin’ on ya!
Paul-Cincy on December 20, 2008 at 2:18 PM
Yabba Dabba Doo! Wilmaaaaaaaa! Soles are a little worn. I need a brake job.
Paul-Cincy on December 20, 2008 at 2:20 PM
I’m sure some Lib would come up with a way to put a tax on it.
mindhacker on December 20, 2008 at 2:23 PM
4 wheel bicycle?
1sttofight on December 20, 2008 at 2:41 PM
If your rolling treadmill is bigger and longer than everyone else’s, does that suggest you are trying to compensate for some…uh…anatomical shortcomings?
whitetop on December 20, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Simplify the contraption a bit by removing it, and trying the same exercise on the flat surface itself, and he’s got something!
SJBill on December 20, 2008 at 2:47 PM
I’m confused:
Are these folks pretending to walk while riding?
…or pretending to ride while walking???
And what was the point of this again?????
landlines on December 20, 2008 at 3:12 PM
…………….. only after a can of beef-a-reno.
Seven Percent Solution on December 20, 2008 at 3:46 PM
Does it come with snow tires and a see-through canopy for winter runs?
Jarhead68 on December 20, 2008 at 3:59 PM
Needs steering, brakes, and a transmission.
Hey, wait, wouldn’t that make it a Prius?
Fogpig on December 20, 2008 at 3:59 PM
That was my question. Maybe even a shovel on the front…
ProfessorMiao on December 20, 2008 at 4:03 PM
I knew I recognized that theme song. It’s called, “Missing the Obvious” by those titans of Industrial Music, “Epic Fail”.
ronsfi on December 20, 2008 at 4:13 PM
If they checked their tire pressure, it might work!
IlikedAUH2O on December 20, 2008 at 4:17 PM
Always hate it when I get a sneak peak at what my husband’s getting me for Christmas.
heavenhelpus on December 20, 2008 at 4:23 PM
One advantage: you don’t have to look out for dog poop.
B26354 on December 20, 2008 at 4:25 PM
I can’t wait till the first fitness junkie jackasses begin using these in L.A.’s bike lanes.
The Ugly American on December 20, 2008 at 4:25 PM
It’s troubling that no one around him pointed out that this is stupid and that he is an idiot. Has the planet passed through some celestial Ort cloud that has stolen 50 IQ points from every soul on the surface?
BL@KBIRD on December 20, 2008 at 4:39 PM
Well, we all know that it is impossible to get in shape without buying a contraption of some kind.
/s
That thang is pretty big, you could hang a whole lot of clothes on that.
/truth
TheSitRep on December 20, 2008 at 4:48 PM
What was so funny about this invention? Totally impractical and pointless, but not knee-slap funny.
keep the change on December 20, 2008 at 5:07 PM
Yep just waiting for the bailout to kick in so I can buy me one of those there piece-o-crapmatic 3000s.
sonnyspats1 on December 20, 2008 at 5:53 PM
Does it coast? I would have to rest every three steps and point it downhill for maximum pleasure.
Mr_Magoo on December 20, 2008 at 6:00 PM
And I thought the treadmill itself was idiotic. This is pointless on a new level.
Hey – now we need a really big treadmill so that you can put this thing on it in the garage and push the machine without having to have clear roads!
Jaibones on December 20, 2008 at 6:25 PM
Cool! It just needs a clutch so you can peel out!
Bootleghooch on December 20, 2008 at 6:48 PM
Very useful in jurisdictions with dense dog populations. For that use case, I would recommend adding fenders.
shaken on December 20, 2008 at 7:03 PM
Somebody’ll buy it thinking it’ll do them some good …
Woody
woodcdi on December 20, 2008 at 8:42 PM
Pretty cool,and I would imagine everything would be
tickety-boo until you went down a steep hill!
This would be a laugh in a movie scene!!
canopfor on December 20, 2008 at 8:43 PM
I don’t understand, why not just run without spending money for this thing?
Dollayo on December 20, 2008 at 9:10 PM
DING! DING! DING! DING! DING!
We have a winner!
Woody
woodcdi on December 20, 2008 at 9:59 PM
Wait till Austin Powers see this.
It’s like it’s an exercise machine designed by a government committee.
Mojave Mark on December 20, 2008 at 10:59 PM
Slap a battery in it and lemme plug it in. Hook the tread to a generator and electric motors in the wheels, or put in a mini tranny with regenerative braking. Also, while we’re at it, let’s beef it up with the latest ATV suspension.
THEN, I can see some potential.
Jason Coleman on December 20, 2008 at 11:00 PM
Al Gore says: Behold, the car of the future.
Maxx on December 20, 2008 at 11:17 PM
Aiight..Let’s say I wanna take it to the park, somewhere else in town.
HOW DO I PUT THAT THANG IN THE CAR IN THE FIRST PLACE?
ProudPalinFan on December 20, 2008 at 11:21 PM
Edzackery.
Get rid of the mag wheels and put some narrow ones on and it might be doable.
Course, Obama would have to have the spinner rims.
Could you imagine the lowered ones in the bario?
91Veteran on December 20, 2008 at 11:57 PM
There MIGHT be an advantage if you could use gearing with it to get more efficient energy usage than just jogging, like a bicycle. But then why not get a bicycle or recumbent trike?
Oh, and if you liked the YouTube comment about the stationary bicycle, give it a thumbs up! :)
JimC on December 21, 2008 at 3:08 AM
Now that gives a whole new meaning to the term “negative territory.”
platypus on December 21, 2008 at 3:14 AM
Some people have way to much time on their hands.
KBird on December 21, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Hence the 2md person?
Benjamin9 on December 21, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Motorize it and he may have something there.
Benjamin9 on December 21, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Think I’ll just keep my “Pet Rock “.
Texyank on December 22, 2008 at 12:41 AM
I hope Fred and Barney are on the board of directors for this company.
Is Dino the corporate mascot?
How does it handle in the snow?
The Rock on December 22, 2008 at 9:30 AM
I can see a whole new way of car-pooling to work and if you get enough hamsters (people, you might work up enough speed to get on the expressway…..
CynicalOptimist on December 22, 2008 at 12:44 PM