METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WORKSPACE ERGONOMICS AND FITNESS

Abstract

A workspace fitness apparatus, comprising a standard workspace such as a computer desk or cubicle, a plurality of physical activity devices arranged upon or about the workspace, a plurality of interactive devices for computer operation comprising keyboard, pointer, and voice-recognition elements, such as to facilitate physical activity for fitness and health benefits without interrupting other work-related activities.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/628,399, titled “CUBICLE GYMNASIUM”, filed on Oct. 31, 2011, the entire specification of which is incorporated hereby by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is in the field of fitness equipment, and more specifically the present invention relates to the configuration and arrangement of fitness or exercise equipment within and about a workspace while maintaining minimal intrusion upon the working environment and allowing unimpeded use of working materials regardless of the level of fitness activity, and optionally comprising elements for operation of a computer workstation while maintaining a level of physical activity.

2. Discussion of the State of the Art

In the field of physical health, Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT™, which is a trademark and service mark of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) refers to the calorie burn that occurs throughout the day when the body is periodically active (e.g. moving about more and sitting stationary less often) without necessarily performing dedicated periods of repetitious movement such as formal exercise, specifically, “The energy expenditure of all physical activities other than volitional sporting-like exercise”, as quoted from Dr. James A Levine, M.D. Ph.D. of the Mayo Clinic, who pioneered the science and study of NEAT™.

In research studies involving sensitive motion detectors, it has been indicated that individuals who change body position more frequently may burn up to as much as 350 additional calories per day as compared to those who sit relatively stationary without shifting or moving. This difference in caloric consumption could account for as much as 35 pounds gained or lost over the course of a regular year. These observations seem consistent with observations that such common activities as sitting in front of a television for several hours with a remote control, playing electronic games or using a computer for long periods while sitting and remaining largely inactive physically, and other forms of “screen time” are correlated with health hazards typically associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Current statistics on obesity and the premature aging of the population suggest that not enough individuals are willing or able to fit in a regular workout around busy work schedules, limiting the time or intensity of any exercise performed as dictated by work needs.

There exist in the art some solutions for pursuing physical activity or other fitness in a workspace; however such solutions are limited in several ways. Prior solutions do not provide for a variety or choice of lower body device or apparatus, such as a treadmill, stair-like “stepper” device, elliptical training machine, ski machine, or other devices as may be utilized in the art of fitness equipment. Prior solutions also do not provide overhead upper-body fitness devices or means of operating a computer workstation without interrupting physical activities, such as ambidextrous input means or the utilization of automated speech recognition (ASR) or other software to facilitate hands-free or “hands-light” operation, or alternate means of video output for a computer such as worn display solutions like head-mounted displays for improved head and neck ergonomics during operation.

Without the features described, existing solutions are inadequate in that they can result in frequent shifting of hand/arm position that may interfere with the ability of a computer user to perform sustained touch-typing for speed and accuracy of data entry on a keyboard, create momentum that takes time to interrupt (even with slow walking) whenever a momentary stationary posture is called for by a particular computer task or if a rapid exit from the apparatus becomes necessary, require more space than is often available in the typical “cubicle” environment that may be commonly utilized in a workplace, are too expensive for many individuals to buy privately or for many institutions to purchase multiple units, can generate heat and noise that could adversely impact the working environment in a shared office space, and are not particularly portable or adaptable to different environments or workspaces.

What is needed is a means to facilitate physical activity while still permitting the use of a workspace, such that these activities have minimal impact on a work schedule or working activities as well as minimal impact on other individuals in a workplace, and allowing a user to pursue such physical activities with greater flexibility in terms of cost, scheduling, space requirements, activity level, or other needs, and a means for a user to conveniently pursue physical activity or fitness while operating workspace equipment uninterrupted, particularly a computer workstation and with minimal negative impact on physical factors such as ergonomic positioning and comfort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the inventor has conceived of the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a plurality of physical fitness or exercise equipment may be arranged in and around a working space such as a desk or office cubicle, facilitating use of such equipment from within the working space to perform physical fitness activities without interrupting other workspace activity. Such equipment may include, but is not limited to, resistance bands for stretching and toning various body muscles, lower body mobilizing devices for simulating smooth and slow-paced casual walking, climbing, gliding, or pedaling movements while working to keep the body active and facilitate physical fitness activity as described above, stepper devices that can expend more energy (calories) than does walking on a treadmill, and may be more applicable due to space, financial, or other constraints and that can be used for stretching or toning of leg muscles according to a user's particular needs or use patterns, or other devices which promote overall physical health and fitness and which may be arranged conveniently about a working environment. It will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art that such devices mentioned are exemplary, and that a wide variety of devices may be utilized in an arrangement according to the invention and according to a user's specific needs—for example, some users may desire only a low-impact physical activity arrangement, utilizing devices already mentioned, while others may desire a more rigorous fitness setup for building muscle mass or improving physical conditioning in other ways. Additional or alternate devices may be utilized to tailor the specific activities provided by the invention to a user's particular needs such as desired fitness activity level, scheduling or space requirements, physical conditions which may affect activities, or other personal needs or preferences. It will be appreciated that any workspace utilized may be of pre-existing design with the invention adapted to use the existing area, or it may be constructed new according to the invention, with physical activity devices included as an integral element of the design. It will be further appreciated that a working environment utilized according to the invention need not be limited to an office desk, and that a wide variety of environments may be suitable according to the invention. Such environments may include, but are not limited to, a computer desk or office cubicle, retail environment such as a POS terminal, mechanical working area such as a tool bench as might be utilized in a residential garage, craft area such as a drafting table, artist's easel, sewing desk, or any of a multitude of other such areas which may be designed and utilized for focused or prolonged activities. It will be further appreciated that the invention may be adapted to workspaces incorporating a sitting, standing, or other posturing of the body interchangeably according to the nature of the activity and workspace utilized, however it is a benefit realized by the inventor that by utilizing a standing position when sitting is not necessarily required but is customary (such as at a computer desk or similar office workspace), various health benefits may be realized which are desirable according to the intent of the invention, such as reduction of “truncal tunnel syndrome”, a potentially-unhealthy compression of the vital organs of the torso from long hours of sitting in a flexed posture as is commonly adopted in many desk chairs found in the art.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a workspace designed for the use of a computer such as an office cubicle is utilized. In such an environment it may be desirable for a worker to be able to pursue physical activity while working, such that physical health or fitness may be promoted with minimal negative impact on productivity. According to the embodiment, a plurality of devices may be utilized in an arrangement such as to facilitate the use of a computer workstation such as a laptop or desktop computer, or a retail point-of-sale (POS) terminal. Such devices may include (but are not limited to) keyboard or number pad input devices for typing or operating text-based software such as sales or customer service management software commonly utilized in various roles and in a variety of industries, pointer devices such as a mouse for operation of basic computer functions and operating systems and such as may be commonly found in consumer computer setups, or non-tactile interactive systems for operating a computer such as speech recognition software installed on a computer for operation via verbal input. Such devices mentioned are exemplary and it will be appreciated that a variety of similar or alternate devices may be utilized according to the invention, and that new and alternate devices and technologies may become available which may be utilized according to the invention. Such devices or software elements may be arranged in such a way as to facilitate operation of a computer in a variety of ways, such as with one or both hands interchangeably by means of multiple or ambidextrous input devices (as an example, an exemplary arrangement might include two mouse pointer devices, such that a worker may utilize one with either hand interchangeably as may be desirable), or such that a user may freely and easily switch to operating a computer without the use of their hands—as an example, an exemplary arrangement might be setup in such a way that a user may simply stop using any keyboard or pointer devices and begin speaking to the computer utilizing speech recognition software, with no manual configuration or change necessary, such software being available immediately on the computer for convenient and immediate switching between input methods as may be desirable. Using such hands-free means of operation not only allows a user to pursue other activities with their hands and arms, but also may reduce the overall use of manual input methods described above, reducing the likelihood of wrist or other upper extremity strain or injury. The opportunity to use either, both, or neither hand interchangeably encourages “student driver” training of the non-dominant hand which may improve dexterity and allow the option of using whichever hand is more appropriate for each given task, or optionally using whichever hand is not otherwise occupied (such as when performing other physical activities in addition to other workspace tasks), and also encourages the development of good hands-free computer operation skills (such as clear enunciation as may be desirable for some ASR software) as may be appropriate, allowing a user more flexibility in computer-related tasks and greater opportunity for workspace fitness activities which may benefit from the option to operate a computer without the use of hands, freeing them up for such activities. Furthermore, an alternate video output for a computer may be utilized, such as head-mounted displays (HMD) or “video glasses”, which place a computer display inside a pair of glasses or goggles in such a way as to be focused for use while being worn. By utilizing such a display, a user is given far greater flexibility in their movement and posturing within a workspace as they no longer are required to look directly at a display positioned in the workspace, and such use encourages better ergonomic posture and comfort for a user by discouraging neck strain from holding the head in a fixed or awkward position while operating a computer. Such alternate display means may be utilized in conjunction with hands-free input means to facilitate an even greater level of fitness potential, for example a user might perform a standard workout routine engaging the upper body, lower body, and extremities as might be expected in a fitness gym and ordinarily impossible in a computer workspace (or at least impossible without completely interrupting the operation of a computer), all while still operating a computer workstation via hands-free means and while viewing a wearable display for complete freedom of movement.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a plurality of physical fitness or exercise equipment may be arranged in and around a working space such as a desk or office cubicle, facilitating use of such equipment from within the working space to perform physical activity without interrupting other workspace activity. According to the embodiment, such equipment may be selected and arranged such as to facilitate physical therapy or rehabilitation exercises, rather than physical fitness activities. Such an arrangement may be desirable for use in a plurality of environments where a worker may wish to perform physical therapy or rehabilitation exercises as needed without interrupting their other activities, such as (for example) in a home office where a worker can perform physical therapy while accomplishing work-related activities from the comfort of their residence, an office environment where employees may need therapy for any of a number of reasons and do not wish (or are otherwise unable) to take time off from their work to do such exercises at home or in a clinical setting, or in a workplace intended for injured, disabled, or physically-disadvantaged individuals (such as a rehabilitation clinic) which may encourage therapeutic or rehabilitation exercise as an integral element of the work environment, or in a clinical setting such as a care facility where residents may need physical therapy and may wish to pursue other activities simultaneously rather than focus on the therapy at the expense of other activity. It will be appreciated that, as described above, the specific devices utilized in the arrangement according to the invention are exemplary and alternate or additional devices may be utilized according to the invention and as appropriate for any user's specific needs regarding therapy procedures, physical needs or limitations, space requirements, or other criteria.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of an exemplary arrangement of fitness equipment around a workspace.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of a computer-based workstation, adapted for use according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an exemplary system for computer interaction according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the invention, comprising a plurality of physical fitness devices arranged about a workspace 100 to facilitate physical activity while simultaneously performing other activities as appropriate according to the nature of workspace 100. Workspace 100 may be of varied construction, arrangement, or intended function according to the invention. Workspace 100 may include a working surface 101, which may be of varied design to accommodate activities appropriate to a variety of workspaces 100, and which may further comprise a plurality of fixed, removably-attached, or separately arranged extensions 250a and 250b which may extend along one or both sides of a user's working area 100 or optionally may comprise additional elevated surfaces or raised elements or portions of working surface 101 for the purpose of improving ergonomics for a user of varied height, body shape, or preferences. It will be appreciated that the invention may be adapted to such exemplary workspaces 100 as a computer desk or office cubicle, retail environment such as a POS terminal, mechanical working area such as a tool bench as might be utilized in a residential garage, craft area such as a drafting table, artist's easel, or sewing desk, or any of a multitude of other such areas which may be designed and utilized for focused or prolonged activities. Such devices may include as illustrated resistance bands 110 which may be movably or otherwise affixed to a ceiling, bar, or similar surface 111 and positioned for use by an individual in a workspace 100 without leaving the immediate area and such that they may be used without distracting an individual from other activities. Such resistance bands 110 may be arranged in a fixed way relative to workstation 100, or may be removably attached to rigid elements of workstation 100 such as ceilings 111, bars fixed to a workstation 100, and the like. In an illustrated embodiment, resistance bands 110 are positioned such that they would naturally hang approximately arm-length away from a user such that in grasping both bands a user's arms would form an angle of 30-45 degrees from the sides of the body, although it will be appreciated that such an arrangement is exemplary and alternate configurations and positions may be utilized according to the invention. Other devices may include (but are not limited to) a bar 112 which may be designed and positioned for grasping above a user's head or shoulders such as (as illustrated) positioning at a comfortable height and horizontally-oriented such that a user may grasp the bar with one or both hands interchangeably for exercise movements, and which may be mounted or attached in a fixed way related to workspace 100 or may be removable attached to rigid elements such as a ceiling 111 and which may be affixed in such a way as to facilitate grasping in a variety of positions or locations along the surface of bar 112, a stair-like stepping device 120, which may be positioned such that an individual may optionally use such a device without being distracted from or leaving a workspace 100 and which may be movable such as to be positioned out of the immediate area of an individual when not in use, and which may be designed in such a way as to facilitate a range of foot motions for various exercise or ergonomic functions such as a traditional up-and-down stepping motion, or by altering physical elements of stepper 120 allowing other motions such as a rocking motion wherein step-like elements of stepper 120 may be pivotably fixed about a fulcrum located more centrally rather than at a distal point as illustrated, and it will be appreciated that the particular design of stepper 120 is exemplary and variations and alternate arrangements may be utilized according to an embodiment of the invention. It should be noted that the illustrated position and design of a working surface 101 in FIG. 1 is exemplary, and that a person having ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that other such arrangements are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed below. It will be appreciated that such a working surface 101 may be of varied design and utility, and that the position may vary according to the invention such as might be useful according to various body positions such as sitting, standing, kneeling, or may be of movable design such that the position may be adjusted for various positions or postures interchangeably within a single arrangement. It will be further appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art that additional or alternate devices may be utilized according to the invention and that all devices and arrangements shown are exemplary in nature. It will be further appreciated that such devices may be arranged optimally for use in one or more body positions, such as sitting or standing as may be needed according to the nature of workspace 100 or working surface 101, and furthermore that such devices and arrangements may be readily adjustable in nature, such that positioning may be changed as needed with minimal effort such that a single workspace 100 may be used for a variety of activities or facilitate a plurality of users either interchangeably or simultaneously.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an embodiment of the invention, illustrating an arrangement of input devices for operation of a computer 201 which may be located on a working surface 101 in a workspace 100 while performing physical activity previously described according to the invention such as physical fitness activities, physical therapy exercises, or other physical activities. It will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art that such a computer 201 may be of varied design and function, such as a laptop personal computer or a desktop workstation in an office environment. It will be further appreciated that such a device need not be positioned upon a working surface 101 as illustrated, and may be a standalone element of a workspace 100 such as a wall-mounted kiosk or a retail POS terminal, and a working surface 101 may optionally be facilitated in such instances as may be needed according to the invention. As illustrated, one or more text input devices 210 such as a keyboard may be utilized, which may be designed in such a way as to accommodate the use of either or both hands interchangeably, and which may be of ergonomic physical shape or form such as to accommodate the use of either or both hands interchangeably without discomfort or risk of physical strain or repetitive-stress injury such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which may occur with heavy keyboard use. Other text input devices such as a plurality of number pads 211a and 211b which may be either affixed to or an element of keyboard 210 or which may be separate and/or independently positionable, and which may be designed or arranged in such a way as to accommodate use by either hand interchangeably to facilitate ambidextrous input capabilities, may be utilized according to the invention. As further illustrated, a plurality of pointer devices 220a and 220b such as a traditional computer mouse may be implemented, positioned and configured such as to facilitate operation of a computer 201 with either hand interchangeably to facilitate ambidextrous input capabilities, such that a user may easily switch from one hand to the other while performing physical activity without interruption of computer operations, and which may optionally be placed in an angled position relative to working surface 101 for improved ergonomics (the inventor has found that an outward and downward angle of 15 degrees may be optimal for wrist comfort, but it will be appreciated that any angle or combination of angles may be utilized according to the invention). A plurality of padded or ergonomically-shaped wrist rests 230a and 230b may be utilized, which may be designed to improve user comfort such as padded or ergonomically-shaped pads or rests for a user's wrists to be placed upon during operation, and which may be either fixed or movably positioned for optimal use during operation of one or more input elements described above (for example, an arrangement might include two wrist rests 230a and 230b as illustrated, positioned for use with pointer input devices 220a and 220b). Additionally, alternate video displays such as a wearable display such as a HMD 240 may be utilized, which may be connected to computer 201 either via a wire, cable, or other physical data connection (as illustrated), or alternately may be connected through wireless means such as Bluetooth™ or Wi-Fi data connections. HMD 240 may comprise a single video display 241a for presentation of a computer screen to a user, or alternately may comprise a second display 241b for viewing of stereo or 3D images, or for viewing of alternate displays simultaneously or interchangeably as may be desirable according to the operation of computer 201 and the nature of work being performed. A computer 201 may be further configured with software components in such a way as to facilitate hands-free operation via such means as automated speech recognition (ASR) or dictation software (such as Nuance™ Dragon Naturally Speaking™), or other means of computer interaction, and may be configured in such a way as to readily accommodate any or all of the described means of operation interchangeably without any further configuration or instruction on the part of a user (i.e., such that a user may immediately switch from one hand to another, or from using their hands to using speech recognition software, without having to perform any sort of action and without any interruption of their operation or activities), facilitating hands-free input capabilities. In this manner, a user could (for example) be writing a document on a computer 201 and type with either hand individually while performing activities with the other (such as using a resistance grip-type device whereby a user performs a manual “squeezing” or gripping motion against mechanical resistance, which may be of variable or adjustable resistance), and optionally may begin using both hands to increase upper body activity while continuing to operate computer 201 using ASR software that is running in the background without interruption. It will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art that such physical and software elements described are exemplary, and that a variety of similar or alternate elements may be utilized according to the invention, and that new technologies may become available which may be utilized according to the invention and that the specific design of any described or illustrated elements is purely exemplary in nature.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an exemplary computer arrangement, comprising elements intended to facilitate ambidextrous, hands-free, or “hands-lite” operation. As illustrated, a computer 201 comprises a central processing unit (CPU) 301 which is responsible for internal processing and operation of computer 201, a plurality of software input processors for handling such inputs as text-based 302, pointers 303, or audio input 304, and software-based output processing 305 for presenting data or feedback to a user. Peripheral devices may be connected to a computer for input and output, and several exemplary devices are illustrated. As illustrated, text-based input devices may comprise a keyboard 210, left number pad 211a and right number pad 211b for input of text and computer operation. As further illustrated, left and right pointer devices 221a and 221b may be utilized for computer operation, as well as a microphone 320 which may be utilized for ASR software or other means of operating a computer via voice commands or input, and which may optionally be a distinct device attached either fixedly or removable to computer 201 (as illustrated) or which may be an integral, built-in component of computer 201 such as may be found in laptop personal computers common in the art.

Input from attached peripheral devices may be processed by respective software elements as illustrated, which may be optionally third-party elements such as modified “driver” software for operation of peripheral devices, or which may comprise software suites designed to offer a specific functionality beyond what is normally featured in a computer (for example, the utilization of Nuance™ Dragon Naturally Speaking™ or another dictation software application 330 as an audio input processor 304), or which may be integral or pre-configured on computer 201, such as standard software for operation of a keyboard 210 as is commonly featured in computers by default for basic operation. Processed input may then be sent to CPU 301 to be utilized in operation of computer 201 and various hardware and software elements, for instance to a word processor software application 331, or an email client software application 332, or any other software or hardware application or feature known in the art but not illustrated, and it will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art that such processing and operation is common in the use of computers found in the art and need not be further illustrated.

CPU 301 may then send output for processing by an output processor 305, which may be optionally third-party elements such as modified “driver” software for operation of peripheral devices, or which may comprise software suites designed to offer a specific functionality beyond what is normally featured in a computer (for example, the utilization of customized graphic driver software for a particular purpose such as medical, engineering, or gaming output), or which may be integral or pre-configured on computer 201, such as standard software for displaying video output on a screen or monitor as is commonly featured in computers by default for basic operation. Processed output may then be used by traditional output devices commonly found in the art such as a speaker 310, which may be of varied design such as a single integral speaker for basic audio output or an array of speakers for high-definition audio such as Dolby™ Surround Sound™ and which may comprise either or a combination of integral speaker components or fixedly or removable-attached external devices such as additional speakers or wearable personal speakers such as headphones, or traditional video output display 311 such as a monitor which may be commonly found in computer use, and which may be an integral component of computer 201 such as a screen on a laptop personal computer, or which may be a fixedly or removable-attached external device such as an external screen or projector. According of an embodiment of the invention, such a video display 311 may be positioned either fixedly or removably such that a screen appears at approximately chin-height relative to a user, while other physical elements of computer 200 may remain at an independent height as appropriate for use (such as resting on a working surface 101 while a monitor 311 is raised for viewing), such that a more ergonomic posture may be facilitated as opposed to a more traditional arrangement common in the art, wherein physical element may all be arranged about a screen 311 and resting directly upon a working surface 101, which may force a user to type with hands positioned too high and eyes focused too low for optimal workspace ergonomics, causing the head, neck, and upper back to be overly flexed, giving a “hunched” posture over a laptop or desktop personal computer as commonly found in conventional workstations common in the art, however such positioning is exemplary and it should be appreciated that alternate arrangement are possible according to an embodiment of the invention, such as the use of a laptop personal computer 201 positioned on a raised surface or portion of a working surface 201 with external elements such as keyboard 210 or pointer devices 220a and 220b connected and positioned independently. Output may be further utilized by additional devices such as an auxiliary video display 312, such as a secondary display screen (which may, as illustrated, be related to a primary display 311 in such a way as to extend or minor output displayed on display 311 or which may operate independently and display content distinct from display 311) or wearable displays such as video glasses as described above. In this manner, a single computer 201 may have multiple output devices for presenting a wide variety of information to a user, or for presenting information to a plurality of users simultaneously as might be desirable, optionally displaying identical or unique information on each output device. Further, as described previously, by utilizing additional video output devices 312 it may be possible for a user to operate a computer effectively without relying on traditional or integral video devices 311, facilitating greater flexibility in method of operation and allowing for greater comfort and ease of operation during physical activity, as described previously. A user might, for example, utilize illustrated input and output devices such as a microphone 320 and auxiliary video display 312 to operate a computer 201 hands-free, and without needing to look in the direction of a primary video display 311 so as to facilitate greater freedom of movement and activity by allowing the user to move about a workspace and change body position or movements as appropriate without concern for disrupting operation or receipt of output from computer 201.

It will be appreciated that all physical and software elements illustrated are exemplary, and that additional or alternate elements may be utilized as appropriate to a particular configuration according to the invention, such as the addition of a plurality of microphones 305 as might be desired for additional audio input sources or greater audio input clarity, or the addition of additional auxiliary video output devices 312 such as for presenting video output to multiple recipients or presenting a variety of output information across multiple devices. It will be further appreciated that the means of conveying information between computer 201 and external devices may vary, such as utilizing remote wired or wireless connections to facilitate operation of a computer located outside a workspace 100 or utilizing remote output devices to present information to recipients outside a workspace 100. As an example, a user might give a presentation while performing physical activity, the information being presented to remote users whose location may vary according to the invention. As another example, computer 201 may reside in a separate room (such as a server room kept distinct from working areas), but may be operated by a user from a workspace 100 in a manner similar to how a computer located within the workspace might be operated. In this manner, a computer 201 need not be location-dependent and may accept remote input as well as provide remote output, allowing users the flexibility and convenience of being located remotely from a particular computer without limiting operation or the work that can be performed.

All of the embodiments outlined in this disclosure are exemplary in nature and should not be construed as limitations of the invention except as claimed below.

Claims

1. A workspace fitness apparatus, comprising:

a workspace; and

A plurality of fitness equipment components arranged around and/or within a workspace.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fitness equipment components comprises devices intended for NEAT™ activity.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fitness equipment components comprises devices intended for physical fitness and/or muscle-building.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fitness equipment components comprises devices intended for physical therapy.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the workspace further comprises a computer.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the apparatus further comprises a plurality of ambidextrous input means adapted to provide input to the computer.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the computer further comprises hands-free input means such as automated speech recognition software.