As first reported on our sister site, engadget, Panasonic has come up with this innovative fitness equipment, which I imagine is similar to a personal mechanical bull, except not nearly as rough. The machines are meant to mimic horseback riding, which I happen to know can be a great workout, especially if you haven't been anywhere near a horse in almost a decade. Although why one would want to get one of these instead of going near a horse is beyond me -- the best part of horseback riding is being out in nature and interacting with the animal you are on. Riding one of these bizarre-looking machines in my living room has absolutely no appeal for me. What about you?

These Japanese-made contraptions will set you back about $2500 which, as one reader pointed out, is far more than the cost of, say, a personal trainer. And while it won't buy you a horse of your own, it will get you a number of horseback rides on the real deal -- a horse. That is far more worthy of your money in my opinion.