Resistance retro walking

It looks like a treadmill, but there's a lot more to this up and coming piece of fitness equipment. The Thorotread was featured at the Health & Fitness Business Convention in Denver last month. It takes the best of the treadmill and adds a new component that the manufacturer refers to as "resistance retro walking." Basically, the machine helps you walk backwards while pulling on weight.

The grab bar on the front of the machine releases so you can pull back on it while walking backward. The amount of resistance can be adjusted with a simple push of a button. In addition to the benefits of a regular treadmill, the Thorotread's backward action helps work different groups of muscles. The Thorotread will be available for purchase in Fall, 2008.