This Netflix Bike Keeps You Moving When You Don’t Want To

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When it’s time to hit the gym, but you’re lounging on the couch with your favorite TV show on, it feels like there’s nothing motivating enough on this planet to convince you to move. However, if your exercise bike came to your living room, synced with your Netflix account and required you to pedal in order to keep your show streaming, your fitness level might look a little different.

That was Dublin Institute of Technology student Ronan Byrne’s idea at least. He recently invented an indoor cycling bike that doubles as a commitment device, luring people to do something that they don’t really want to do (even though it’s good for them) in order to receive the entertainment they already seek.

The creation stemmed from his efforts to teach himself computer coding. He programmed the bike to allow the user to tell it how long they want to exercise and at what speed (or speeds if they prefer interval training). Riders then select their preferred show via the wonderful Netflix window and voilá — the show begins as soon as they start to pedal. It also pauses streaming when the user stops moving.

So simple, yet genius.

Unfortunately, this amazing setup isn’t available for purchase just yet. It was really more of a fun, self-educational project for Byrne. But if you have a knack for coding and rewiring electronic devices, feel free to try and rig one up for yourself. It would certainly put all of your exercise excuses to rest once and for all.