How often have you been walking somewhere and thought, "Boy, I could really get a workout if only I were on a treadmill, but a treadmill just won't get me where I need to go!"? Never? Yeah, me too. Which is why I'm having a hard time understanding who's going to be interested in this Fit Gadget -- the SpeedFit.

Basically, it's a treadmill that can be used for outdoor transportation, so you get your treadmill workout, but with the benefit of fresh air. Because, you know, who wants to just run on the pavement, right? The founders of SpeedFit want to take the emphasis off of distance running and put the focus on running a shorter distance, but faster.

In fact, the brains behind SpeedFit actually aim to change the way fitness is defined, using only speed, time, and distance rather than things like age, weight, height, calories burned, BMI, heart rate, or anything else. By doing this, they hope to gauge fitness based on personal potential rather than on how well someone else can run.

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During one restless night last month, I decided to move to the couch to see if the TV would put me to sleep. Instead, I found myself watching some late night infomercial, and in my exhausted stupor I caught myself thinking, "Wow. That really might be something I need." Thankfully, I fell asleep before I could do anything about it.

Have you bought exercise equipment that either doesn't do what it claims to do or just sits in your corner as an unused showpiece? I'm sure you aren't alone. Ever since Suzanne Somers showed up on TV screens with her Thigh Master, it seems like manufacturers have been putting out one device after another.

Consumer Reports recently reviewed many of the more popular exercise devices. In nearly every case, CR found that simpler exercises (like walking, free weights, mat work, etc.) were at least if not more efficient than using the device. It's a good reminder that fitness need not be complicated or expensive.

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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.

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