Cameron Nielsen sustainable exercise equipment icon fitness case study winter 2009
observed treadmill issues The average lifetime mileage of a treadmill is 7. Why?
- rapid attrition - excess complexity - stationary experience These issues are symptoms of a common obstacle for treadmill users and equipment exercisers in general. An expensive, barely used product is not sustainable for the environment or the individual.
sustaining motivation
Treadmills don’t appeal to me. They don’t offer me the sense of progression that an actual run does. Staring at a wall doesn’t compare with the motivation of navigating your personal route.
How can we help exercisers form and sustain healthy habits by recreating the experience of progression with a stationary product?
experience comparison how can the gap be bridged?
the treadmill run:
the tangible run:
gauge-based feedback
landmark-based feedback
static environment
living environment
nonexistent route choice
freedom of route choice
a contrived, dreaded task
a natural, spiritual journey
interface exploration
+
=
The console interface is the primary way to simulate progression for the runner. Existing treadmill interfaces do not adequately compensate for the missing aspects of an actual run. I explored how a user could experience progression by navigating a virtual environment. The treadmill deck could have a sensor on each side for directional control Running on the one side of the deck would toggle a turn in the desired direction until the runner recenters on the belt.
aesthetic inspiration what is light, strong, functional, and beautiful? how can this be applied to a treadmill?
design development
design development
design development
The Icon Momentum is a bridge to a more natural running experience. It simulates progression in the most meaningful way possible for a stationary treadmill.
> engaging interactive runs > practical & elegant cord management > holistic mechanism housing design > visually light aesthetics
belt roller shield
flywheel incline chain
belt motor incline motor
Housing-mounted wheels assist incline adjustments
audio directed towards runner cord neck doubles as towel rack
fan intake
fan output keeps runner cool small accessory storage
water bottle nests in handlebar mount neck
capacitive touch display
console power & data cord
power cord to wall
frame transitions into running board surface
belt and rollers nest in frame notches
translucent polycarbonate deck
hexagonal patterned mesh synthetic belt
cast aluminum truss frame
Cameron Nielsen cameronielsen@gmail.com 801.669.0610