Avoiding the workout rut

Is it getting harder to drag yourself to the gym? Perhaps you’re in a workout rut -- tired of the monotony of the treadmill, circuit training or the lap pool. You may need to shake up your workout, have some fun, try something new. Here are some products that offer sophisticated design, novelty or a unique challenge to keep you smiling as you get your heart pumping.

*

Trikke 12

From sixth-graders to 60-year-olds, people typically have the same reaction when they hop on a Trikke (rhymes with “bike”): This is too much fun to be a fitness device. Its simple, elegant, side-to-side rocking motion delivers a thorough all-body aerobic workout. The Trikke propels you at flatland speeds up to 15 mph. With bicycle-style hand brakes, air-filled tires and a patented design that keeps the three wheels grounded for sharp turns, it can safely handle the steepest downhills -- on road and off. (877) 487-4553; www.trikke.com. $350.

*

Flybar

Jump for joy with this high-tech pogo stick, which turns a childhood activity into adult fitness. Propelled by a complex series of internal rubber bands instead of springs like the pogo sticks of your youth, the Flybar has a smooth, quiet rebound that makes it easier to develop a rhythm. Even coordinated types will need about 10 minutes to get the hang of it (hint: keep your stomach tight against the bar) -- but you’ll soon be getting an intense and exhilarating aerobic workout. (800) 764-6784; www.flybar.com. $349.

*

Finis SwiMP3

Here’s music you can feel in your bones -- literally. Instead of earphones, the SwiMP3 uses a new “bone conduction” technology that, held in place against your skull on the goggle strap, pumps the sound vibrations into your head. The sound is remarkably clear, there are no earplugs to fiddle with or fall out, and ears aren’t blocked from hearing ambient noise. (888) 333-4647; www.finisinc.com. $249.

*

Adidas_1

If you’re a techie who runs, you may fall in love with this one. Following in the footsteps of air pillows, gel pads, water channels and corrugated plastic flex plates, the latest running shoe cushioning technology is a computer. A sensor in the heel of the Adidas_1 measures the impact of each step, relays that information to a microprocessor and instantly adjusts the cushioning to meet your needs -- stiffer for dirt trails, softer for pavement. You can also adjust the cushioning with buttons on the shoes. www.adidas.com. $250 (available in March).

*

Indo Board

Sometimes simpler is better. By stripping the balance trainer down to its essentials -- a grooveless board and a roller -- the oval-shaped Indo Board lets you take coordination- and reflex-building exercises to a new level. Once you get basic balance down, you can move up to sideways spins, jumps and dumbbell exercises while balancing. It’s excellent training for athletes who rely on quickness and balance, such as surfers and basketball players. (321) 724-6823; www.indoboard.com. $99.95.

*

Octane Q45 elliptical

Can an elliptical machine actually be fun? The Q45 certainly tries, with loads of unique boredom-fighting features, such as the industry’s only adjust-on-the-fly stride length (from 18 to 24 inches). A large menu of anatomy-specific programs includes “Arm-Blaster,” “Glute-Kicker” and the highly motivating “X-mode” program, which has random intervals of different motions to keep you guessing. (763) 757-2662; www.octanefitness.com. $3,599.

*

-- Roy M. Wallack