Who says video games are bad for you?

One of the lowest priorities in my own cycling regimen is riding the trainer. It’s so low, in fact, that I don’t even own a trainer, and I look disapprovingly on those who do. There aren’t many things I don’t like about riding a bike, but riding one without actually going anywhere just isn’t very tempting when I could be outside doing the whole moving-through-space-and-time thing.

But if I could play “BMX Freestyle Pro Flatland” while pedaling at a standstill? That might melt my cold, cold heart. So I’ve been curious about the GameBike, the elaborate bike accessory that hooks up to most current game consoles and allows you to pedal your way to top scores in many games. (You’d be surprised.)

Mom, of course, would disapprove. But she shouldn’t. It turns out that GameBikes are actually better for your physical fitness than a standard exercise bike or even your road bike on rollers. A study published recently by the University of British Columbia found that GameBikers were 30 percent more likely to ride regularly. As a result, interactive video-gaming cyclists had significantly higher power output, better aerobic fitness, and — yo! — a “significant change in the vertical jump and leg power.”

That’s owing, no doubt, to repeatedly bunnyhopping this steed.