The Bosu Balance Trainer

Still, a few trends stood out and several products caught my eye.

Supporting the national push toward physical activity for health, rather than exercise for fitness, pedometers abounded, most emulating the Digiwalker in pager-like size and 10,000-steps-a-day promotion. Oregon Scientific's PE316FM includes FM radio and earphones ($29.95, 888-274-7980, www.oregonscientific.com). Sportline's Fitness Pedometer 360 can cycle through readings for distance traveled, steps taken and calories burned ($39.95, 800-338-6337, www.sportline.com). Personal Fitness System's SlimStep has four palm sensors for measuring body-fat percentage using bioelectric impedance ($69.95, 800-525-3467, www.slimstep.com).

Continuing in the core/balance field, the Bosu Balance Trainer provides an unstable surface what looks like an underinflated fitness ball with a base for cardio, strengthening and flexibility work while also developing balance ($129.95, 800-321-9236, www.bothsidesup.com).

Scepter is as much an idea as a product, since almost any stick could be used in this "game, tool, process and exercise," a type of tug-of-war that the makers claim will "strengthen your center, increase your chi (energy) and develop a strong, balanced connection to the earth" ($24.95, 800-847-1839, www.4scepter.com).

Designed by a physical therapist, the TrueStretch alcove (4 by 4 by 7 feet 8 inches), offers 96 basic, upright stretches ($2,195, 800-426-6570, www.truefitness.com).

The TrueStretch

Tunnel's Heel-Less Shoe is supposed to increase blood circulation to muscles and ligaments in the back while also reducing foot shock via the company's trademark mid-sole holes ($89, 866-788-6635, www.tunnelusa.com).

LifeWaves Personal Coach uses an interactive heart-rate monitor and, via earphones, greets users by name and talks them through personalized, updated programs based on short bursts of exercise during specific times in the day. Along with lifestyle adjustments, they're designed to reshape the body's circadian rhythm ($290 plus $30 a month membership to the Web site; 877-469-9283, www.lifewaves.com).

Arm Strong has a rotating baseball or softball in a grip attached to resistance tubes, to allow for strengthening without putting pressure on the wrist ($34.95, 888-321-2720, www.armstrongpro.com).

For visibility or just for show, battery-powered Tireflys screw onto bicycle, motorcycle or car tire-valve stems and light up when the wheel turns ($15.99-$20, 866-847-3359, www.tireflys.com).

From the Richland company Gateskate, TrailSkate all-terrain skates have 8-inch inflatable tires, hydraulic drum brakes and an adjustable boot-binding system that wraps around shoes ($348, 800-936-5330, www.gateskate.com). RASE features semi-soft boots and hand-controlled brakes in Street Feet ($139.95), which has 6-inch wheels and a clamp brake, and the Ranger ($225), with its 8-inch wheels, drum brake and one-way front wheel for climbing (866-475-8377, www.skaterace.com).

For skateboarders, the Board Rock has two convex rubber feet for indoor and outdoor trick practice ($99, 800-348-8371, www.fitter1.com).

From the United Kingdom comes Biobas Active, a line of sports body-care products (Warm:Up, Warm:Down, Body:Soak, Anti-Chlorine, Foot:Balm and Hand:Grip) that uses essential oils ($14.95-$19.95, 800-423-4439, www.biobasusa.com).

Liquid Ice is a compression bandage that after opening gets increasingly cooler for 20 minutes and stays cool for two hours and can be recharged up to 40 times ($7.95 mid-size, $9.95 full-size, $29.95 recharger; 866-778-7546, www.liquidice.biz).

If I had to choose one item to epitomize this year's show, and perhaps the current state of the fitness industry, it might just be an item that's part new tech, part throwback, with maybe a little desperation thrown in. A wireless desktop unit accompanying it tracks repetitions, time spent exercising and calories burned, includes an alarm clock, and plays one of two musical selections. Some sections can be filled with sand to increase weight and tension.

With those attributes, it could be many things. Hand weights, perhaps? Some newfangled shoe? A weighted vest?

Likely for trademark reasons it's called the Super-Hoop ($39.95, 888-974-6788, www.site2shop.com), but most folks probably would immediately think of one of their childhood toys:

A Hula-Hoop.

Molly Martin is assistant editor of Pacific Northwest magazine.

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