Next: Video Games That Get Physical

CHICAGO — You need to exercise, but you'd rather play video games? Do both, says Life Fitness Inc., maker of Lifecycle exercise bikes that plans this summer to unveil an "Exertainment" version with game maker Nintendo.

The bike, expected to retail about $1,000, is for use with a separate Nintendo system. Success at the games depend on how consistently riders are able to pedal within a target heart rate.

A system by HeartBeat Corp., a licensee of Sega, already sells a device that includes "Outback Joey" video games in which a character sweats profusely and falls from dehydration if the exerciser's heart rate gets too high.

Virtual reality could crank up the movement, said Justin Hall-Tipping, who founded HeartBeat. "I expect we will develop exploratory games, like pedaling through . . . France."