Some of the features found in Technogym's newly announced UNITY Android-based cardiovascular user interface are nothing we haven't seen before. Things like tracking a user's heartbeat, how many miles they've ran, and how many calories they've burned have been around for years. Other aspects, like its gesture-based Android-based interface and app support turn a treadmill into a tablet competitor. The UNITY interface is built on top of Android 4.0, and the apps will be distributed through Technogym's own App Store.

UNITY is able to provide a customized training experience either by using a QR code, NFC technology, or manually logging in. It then allows users to browse the web, stream video, and browse social media feeds - the full spectrum of activities that generally keep most people planted firmly on their backsides. While some people could be motivated by dangling their favorite food in front of them, placing a nice piece of tech at my fingertips is more likely to get my feet moving. While Angry Birds isn't the kind of virtual stimulation I desire while running in place, I'm intrigued by the virtual running trails that make it even easier to pretend that I'm actually going somewhere. I'm even willing to ignore that the interface in the video below bears more than a striking resemblance to Windows 8.

CESENA, ITALY--(Marketwired - Jun 24, 2013) - Technogym (www.technogym.com), the leading producer of technology-driven fitness equipment, announces the UNITYconsole, an android-based display for cardio equipment that allows users to customize the information and entertainment options on the cardio equipment, much like you customize the screen on your mobile devices.

"With the look and feel of a tablet, Technogym's UNITY console provides a revolutionary, interactive experience that constantly offers new programs and virtual training sessions," says Nerio Alessandri, President and Founder of Technogym.

UNITY, in combination with Technogym's mywellness app and the mywellness key, let you take your workout with you: Wellness on the GO. You can manage your workouts in the gym (with Technogym equipment & UNITY console), outdoors with mywellness key or your mobile devices, at home via PC or Technogym home equipment, on holiday or wherever you train. The Technogym Ecosystem is the first integrated system comprised of interconnected equipment, services, content and programs. Fitness facilities are now able to offer their members "Wellness on the GO" packages and connect with them on Technogym equipment anywhere in the world.

The features of UNITY™ are designed to give a personalized, intuitive, easy-to-use training experience. Users can log into UNITY™ through several different ways -- QR code, NFC technology, mywellness key or a manual log-in -- and immediately access their Facebook, Skype or mywellness account as well as their favorite apps, TV channels and websites. Users then interact with the screen as if they were using a tablet by swiping, scrolling or clicking through from one activity to another. Engaging exercise programs and Virtual Training landscapes are available to make training sessions both challenging and fun.

UNITY™ is an Android 4.0 open API platform, allowing developers to design apps for the interactive console. The apps are then available in theTechnogym App Store, Technogym's application where fitness and wellness operators and global app developers can connect.

UNITY™ is already compatible with MapMyFitness and RunKeeper, the leading mobile fitness tracking apps allowing users real time connectivity between apps and Technogym equipment.