It is my distinct pleasure to introduce to you the National-Panasonic Joba EU6442. The Joba is for lack of a better term a mechanical horse. The movement of the Joba allegedly gives you a workout similar to horseback riding. The sparse control panel is clearly laid out and very intuitive. On the model which I tested there were three types of setting: hips, waist and general. Once the exercise type is selected, you then decide the intensity of the ride. The lower settings are mind-numbingly sedate, but the fast setting makes balance a minor challenge and that presumably is where the workout factor comes in.

My initial response to the Joba was skepticism and more than a little scorn. I am as gadget hungry as the next person, but it struck me as something that people really do not need. Exercise is supposed to be difficult. Then it occurred to me that I was being a little unfair. There are people who through no fault of their own find it difficult to exercise and there are people who simply do not have the time. For the young and able bodied, this is probably not a useful purchase. Nothing short of a bucking bronco setting or a hack to make it into one would encourage me to buy a Joba, but this thing is popular. Word on the street is the Japanese prime-minister’s wife is a proud and happy owner.

Price: A wallet lightening $1,500