Is it a treadmill? Is it a stepper? No, it's TreadClimber - and it's winging its way from the States as I write. Like most stairclimbers, the steps move up and down, but the TreadClimber's steps are moving belts, like mini treadmills, so you travel forwards at the same time. According to research at Adelphi University in New York, the TreadClimber burns more calories than either of its parents - however, the maximum speed used in the study was 3mph, which I'd describe as funereal rather than brisk. Still, it does offer a low-impact aerobic workout - and subjects burned an average of 450 calories in half an hour on the toughest setting.

The cost? From £1,399 - yes, it's expensive but, believe me, you won't get a decent piece of electronic home exercise equipment for much less. Not one that won't collapse under the weight of a week's clothes, anyway.

· For stockists of the Bowflex TreadClimber, call Nautilus on 01908 267345 (nautilus.com).

Keep 'em keen

The Keen Targhee could be described as the four-wheel drive of sports footwear. It may spend most of its life confined to urban streets, but it's just as comfortable on muddy trails, scree and icy peaks thanks to a waterproof upper, a well-lugged sole to help with grip, a supportive, stable mid-sole and a reinforced toe area to keep your tootsies safe from jagged rocks. Best of all, it isn't ugly. It costs £79.99. Call 0800 612 9292 (keenfootwear.co.uk).

Far out

I've never been much of a sauna fan - sitting in a small, overheated room with lots of half-naked people isn't my idea of fun. But I've just experienced the far-infrared sauna - and I am converted. For a start, the Detox Box, as it is fondly nicknamed, isn't big enough for the masses, and secondly, there is plenty of evidence that it is doing me good. The list of health benefits from far-infrared waves - weight loss, cardiovascular conditioning, detoxification, ease of joint pain, and relief for sports injuries, skin problems, depression and insomnia - initially made me raise a sceptical eyebrow. But the research is out there. What's surprising is that no one has cottoned on to its worth before. Oh, apart from Nasa, which concluded that far infrared would be the ideal way to maintain cardiovascular conditioning in astronauts during long space flights.

So how does it differ from your average sauna? 'Far-infrared waves penetrate the body's tissues to a depth of over 1½ inches, generating two to three times the amount of sweat of a standard sauna, with lower air temperatures and a drier atmosphere,' explains Pete Williams from London's Health Dept, which has possibly the UK's first commercial Detox Box.

· Health Dept's Detox Box costs £50 a session; 020-7486 3386 (healthdept.co.uk).

Give yourself a lift

A few sharp exhalations, a roll of the shoulders, a quick bounce on the balls of your feet - psyching up to lift a weight might look faintly ridiculous, but according to recent research in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, it works. Subjects in the study lifted up to 13% more weight in the bench press exercise when they were allowed to psych themselves up. They lifted the least weight when they were given a distraction, which perhaps explains why men who work out in women-free gyms are the ones with the really big muscles.