We want SymGym to be able to take years of workouts, so we need some heft to make it rugged. To paraphrase Einstein, “It will be as light as possible, but no lighter.

We plan to have a full range of accessories available, have any suggestions?

Warm-ups and cool-downs are usually recommended. What kind of warm-up you might need depends on the exercise and intensity.

To quote Henry Ford, “You can have any color as long as it’s black.” Initially, SymGym, like most exercise machines will only come with a tough hammertone grey (color?). We’ll make accessories available to change the seat color and (what?)

There is no magic bullet. Losing weight is still mostly a matter of calories in vs. calories out. We’re trying to make the "out" part more fun, so we’ll actually do it. The "in" part is up to you.

The mechanisms make some noise, but you probably won’t hear it over your own shrieks of joy as you mow down another wave of zombies, or take out your on-line opponents in a death match.

The included drivers can be used to map SymGym actions to key strokes and game controller actions for most games. SymGym will distribute sample mappings for popular games. SymGym On-line will offer additional games designed specifically for the SymGym for a small monthly fee.

That depends on your current fitness level and desired fitness level. Look we’re not magicians. You’re still going to have to work at this. What we’re trying to do is take the boring out.

SymGym comes with drivers to map SymGym actions to game controller moves to adapt to your favorite games. In addition, membership in “SymGym Online” (working title) will allow players access to games designed specifically for SymGym, on-line challenges, leader boards, etc.

SymGym Online will offer games designed specifically to take advantage of the SymGym, including an increased effort at higher levels, progress tracking, online challenges, local and global leader boards, and tournaments. Yep, that 14-year old is no longer going to be able to beat you with just his fast-twitch muscles. If you’re both fighting at the same level, you’ll both have to be working against the same resistance. May the fittest person win!

SymGym On-line should work with any standard internet connection. No internet connection is required when using SymGym as a game controller.

Sure, if you’re on the road somewhere, and your friend or the hotel has a SymGym, you can log in and play from your own account,

Sign up at gamedev@symgym.fit, and we’ll keep you posted on how to develop for SymGym. We want indie gamers to develop for SymGym, are building a royalty plan for SymGym adapted games.

Like most exercise machines, ruggedness and portability fight each other tooth and nail for superiority. We’re rooting for ruggedness, but we’re trying to make it easily movable for storage. It’s going to look better than that treadmill/coat rack sitting in the corner, and get more use.

It has been said that the best exercise machine is the one you’ll use. We’re trying to make that happen.

Final numbers to be decided, but we’re looking at $25 a month for pre-order members. This includes unlimited SymGym specific games, special offers, online challenges, etc. We intend to take a portion of these fees and pay royalties to game designers for SymGym specific games. Pre-order members lock in their rate.

Both the foot pedals and the arm bars move independently and can each have a different level of resistance. This allows, for example, bicycling motions (alternate push on the pedals), and jumping motions (both feet at once). The arm bars support the resistance in both pushing and pulling directions.

At its most basic, SymGym is a game controller that can be used with any game. SymGym plans on working with game developers to create games, leader boards and on-line challenges.

At its most basic SymGym looks to the PC/game system like a standard game controller with two joysticks and 6 buttons. So any game system that uses a standard controller should work. We also have a driver for PCs to map SymGym actions to any combination keystrokes or controller buttons, to adapt to many different games.

Aside from all the usual disclaimers about seeing your doctor before starting any fitness regimen, and being able to reach the armbars and pedals, there is no age requirement. Resistance is fully adjustable so games can be played by any family member.

As long as the Cheetos you drop do not fall into orbit around your body, you should be OK. We built this because all the current exercise machines are boring. We are building for real people, not stereotypes.