Buzz Watch: Fitness Machine for Young Video Gamers

Authored by Jay Baage on November 6, 2006 - 11:19am.

Are you worried that your kids are playing video games too much and not getting enough exercise? Enter Step2Play. A stairmaster type of exercise machine that links directly to a child's computer games console. Here is the trick - the game controller will only work if the child keeps up a constant pre-set rate of exercise.

Step2Play gives new meaning to the expression "Work Hard, Play Hard". Basically, it works so that Step2Play pauses the game while the controller is inactive. The system only controls the game's controller, and not the game itself, so it can be used with any Sony PlayStation game and possibly other platforms as well.

Two players can use different steppers and controllers to play two-player games. The machine also has a parental over-ride and is aimed at youngsters under the age of 12.

Dr. Ian Campbell, medical director of UK organization Weight Concern, was quoted by the BBC as stating that the device would be "helpful" but the device is a poor reflection on society: "Anything that encourages them [children] to exercise has to be helpful. However, how sad that we have to bribe children into physical activity. It's a terrible indictment on our society."