Let me just preface this by saying that I worked as a personal trainer for years and, for the most part, I steered my clients towards cardio programs that did not involve a lot of high-impact running. The bottom line is this—an effective cardio workout is all about getting your heart rate into the appropriate training zones—and you don’t need to run in order to achieve this. That’s where Nautilus is coming from with the Mobia.

Mobia Gallery

Mobia strengthens the core, builds endurance and improves balance by combining the movements of the most popular and effective gym equipment: the forward motion of a treadmill, the stepping motion of a stair stepper and the low-impact benefits of an elliptical. This three-in-one motion is possible because Mobia operates with two separate “treadles” that rise to meet the users` feet as they walk. The action of pushing down the gently resistant treadles provides an intense workout with maximum efficiency, while reducing stress on knees and ankles.

So you are walking here — not running. But the stair-stepping and elliptical motion should provide enough of a challenge that even fit users can get a real workout. Of course, it is up to you to decide whether or not walking vs running will keep you motivated — but the $US2000 price tag might decide for you. [Mobia and Reuters]

The Price: $US40

The Verdict: This is one of my favourite inventions ever. Treadmill computing—or using a treadputer—is one of those ideas that’s ideal for out-of-shape people who work at home, since you’re still capable of doing all the work you were doing before, except now your legs are moving. Its major barrier is the fact that you had to have a treadmill, plus a stable enough platform to keep your laptop on. If you could rig that up yourself, great, but most of us were too lazy or too disinclined to. Now it just costs $US40.

To answer your first question, yes, it is ill-advised to type and run at the same time. But typing and walking fast, or running and just watching something on your computer works just fine. In fact, I’m typing this entire review up while I’m walking on my treadmill.

How it works: The SurfShelf consists of two interlocking polycarbonate pieces supported by either one or two straps to your treadmill, elliptical or stationary bike. If rigged up correctly—something I had to ask for help with—it’s incredibly stable, capable of supporting somewhere in the neighbourhood of 25kg. Plenty solid enough for your laptop provided you don’t constantly lean on it.

This thing has basically turned working into exercise. By spending 2-3 hours a day typing, emailing and reviewing while walking, you basically get free calorie burn doing something you’d be doing anyway! According to Nike+, two hours of fast walking while working burns 1000 calories. And even if you’re not lucky enough to work from home, being able to watch YouTube or BitTorrented content makes any workout go faster.

Assuming you already own a treadmill that’s gathering dust, the SurfShelf is the easiest way of getting you back on that thing. And if you’re a freelancer or the type of person who spends much of your day on a computer, this could be the healthiest gadget you buy this year. [SurfShelf]

Makes treadputering an incredibly straightforward process

Stable enough that you can trust your laptop to it

AU: These guys don’t ship outside of North America, which is unfortunate because it would have given me a reason to exercise. If you know of any local alternatives, let us know in the comments. _-EH

Since there’s very little gravity in space, is there an elastic strap to pull the guy down toward the treadmill to simulate gravity? Or is the guy just whirling his legs around like the Roadrunner? [Orlando Sentinel via TV Squad]

Really NASA? Really? We can see you not picking Serenity, even with its Firefly connotations, or Colbert, because it’s Colbert, but picking something in the eighth slot in a poll? WHY EVEN HAVE A VOTE? What’s wrong with you people, seriously. [SFGate]

Call me crazy, but moving your feet while sitting down isn’t a form of exercise. It certainly isn’t jogging. If you’re sitting on a bed, you aren’t going to get much aerobic exercise. I’m no doctor, but if you’re so morbidly obese that you can’t stand up and walk around, you’re beyond this thing’s help. And if you’re just lazy and want a way to “exercise” while still drinking milkshakes and watching Gossip Girl in your living room, well, you are also beyond this thing’s help, albeit for other reasons. [MedLaunches via Gadget Lab]

This is a funny concept in the first place, because as anyone who has played WoW know, you do a LOT of running. Miles upon virtual miles of terrain can be covered in a short session, usually at a pretty fast clip. The guys over at Manapotions.com went to great lengths to estimate the actual speed of their avatars, then built a surprisingly effective apparatus out of some old treadmills, bikes wheels and optical mice (for speed tracking). The results was kind of like the ultimate expression of the Wii “get involved in the game” ethos, except with 1000% more exertion and 97% less fun. Click through to see the build process and gameplay notes. [Mana Potions]