iPod fitness machines: one less excuse

We almost couldn't bear to write this item because we're so sick of the image in the photo. We've spent more time staring down at the control panel of cardio machines like this than we can remember.

(Credit: I4U News)

But Life Fitness, whose products we've become intimately familiar with, is taking a step that might lessen the agony at least slightly: It's adding touch screens that let you control your iPod without handling the device itself, according to I4U News. This may not sound like much but, if you're a regular at the gym, it could be the difference between quitting early and actually finishing your workout.

It won't make the machine itself any easier to conquer, but at least you won't have to mess with the iPod's controls while trying to keep your balance in midstride. The unit will even recharge the player while it's plugged in.

We'll take that over a lot of other exercise equipment we've seen lately, some of which look downright medieval.