Whether you want to get in shape or find a way to entertain the holiday visitors, check out the Spooner.

It is a bit of a mix between a snowboard, a skateboard and a surfboard. Unlike a traditional skateboard, which requires large spaces, a snowboard, which requires winter conditions, or a surfboard, which requires an ocean, the Spooner allows users to practice all the techniques of these sports in a space no larger than a 4-foot cubicle.

The story of its invention is as fun as the board. Two San Diego friends, Bernie Miller and Randy Putland, were cutting apart an old plastic igloo doghouse. When the top came off, both avid surfers started playing around with it. The piece resembled a spoon — minus the handle — and thus the Spooner was born.

"The Spooner helps develop snowboarding, skateboarding and surfing skills," said Miller.

"It builds flexibility, strength and balance ... all skills required for any sport. It is especially helpful for children to develop strength in the ankles, feet and legs. The Spooner is also useful for rehab to aid in rebuilding balance and strength. Plus, it's a whole lot of fun," Miller added.

Made of high-density polypropylene and polyethylene, the same materials used for school playgrounds, it is virtually indestructible. "If you break it, we'll replace it," said Miller.

Although the Spooner is designed for any type of surface indoors and out, Miller points out you don't want to take it out in the ocean because it doesn't float. "But, you'll be a much better surfer after working out on the Spooner."

Handmade and handcrafted in California, the Spooner is safe for all ages. The boards are available in a variety of colors and two sizes: the 24-inch Freestyle model and the 28-inch Pig model. Prices range from $30 to $50.

For more information, call 888-887-6996 or visit www.thespooner.us.

SPIN AWAY

Here's a new way to stay fit and keep track of it in the process.

Spinning, the worldwide leader in indoor group cycling, has introduced the new iSPINNING fitness application. It is the first device that actually listens to your body and displays your personal fitness metrics. It's also the first of a suite of health and fitness applications enabled by iTMP Technology, developer of smartphone hardware and software applications.

You can download iSPINNING free for a limited time by simply logging into the Apple Store from an iPhone or iPod touch and searching under the Health care and Fitness category. There you'll see a simulation of how the application works. Or visit the online iTunes Apple Store and go directly to the iSPINNING page.

"For years the fitness industry has struggled with the complexities of tracking and displaying fitness data in ways that are appealing to the end user," said John Baudhuin, CEO of Mad Dogg Athletics Inc., creators of the Spinning indoor cycling program.

"ITMP has raised the bar with their suite of iPhone apps that collect data from body and equipment sensors to track and present it in a simple and usable format."

Compatible with a growing list of fitness sensors, iSPINNING enables you to customize dashboards and design workouts to see and track fitness metrics, including:

— Current, average and maximum heart rate

— Time in target zones

— Calories burned

— Cadence

— Speed

— Distance

— Power

"While there are a handful of fitness apps for the iPhone, until now none of them have incorporated real-time user data in their calculations," said Michael Williams, founder and CEO of iTMP.

"With our wireless virtual bridge, SMHEART LINK, we connect distributed health and fitness sensors to Apples' iPhone and iPod touch. In other words, we enable Apple's incredible mobile computers to double as heart monitors and cycling computers."

The SMHEART LINK retails for $150.

For more information, visit www.smheartlink.com or www.spinning.com.

Maggie Reed may be reached at trocar2000@hotmail.com. To find out more about Maggie Reed, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2008 CREATORS SYNDICATE INC.