New stationary bike is anything but

With Nintendo's Wii Fit getting ready for release in 2008, and with the growing number of other fitness-friendly games (such as Dance Dance Revolution), there is clearly a concerted effort being made by developers to lift the couch potato stigma that is typically associated with video games.

As part of this effort, exercise machine manufacturers are also jumping on board, as exemplified by the new S2u stationary bike from Expresso Fitness (www.expressofitness.com). This exercise bike takes the incredibly redundant and dull practice of riding in place and turns it into a fun-filled video game. Attached to the bike's handlebars is a 17-inch LCD screen, on which a bicycle rider makes his way through a Grand Theft Auto-esque set of situations. To propel the biker forward, and to manipulate the course he takes, you must pedal faster and turn the handlebars.