which supports up to 265 lbs since when does exercise equipt have a weight limit, isn't the point to help those who have a weight problem while the others rely on their metabolism to make it day to day? I'm not 265 yet but I hope to still have options if/when I get there.

...since material science is unable to come up with unbreakable materials, mate. Everything breaks or bends or won't function safely under certain pressures. The hydraulic (or whatever) systems used to make the horse motions probably just can't take it. But to be fair, most horses couldn't take 265 pounds either. Just sayin'.

I mean, seriously-I don't know. Don't get me wrong-maybe there is, I haven't been horseback riding in a long time, but I didn't really think it was much of a workout. Any avid horseback riders want to tell me otherwise? I mean...I can't see it being too much work for the rider. For the horse, sure!

If I haven't been riding in a while, and I go even for an hour, my legs are jelly when I dismount; it's the kind of exercise you don't feel so much when you're doing it, but afterward, whoa, nelly.

do you actually think people will use this for exercise. I could see alot more fun uses in the bedroom hee hee!

Should have made it a mechanical bull for the home. Trying to stay on even a mildly bucking "bull" for ten minutes would definitely give you a workout and improve your balance as well.

Microsoft and Yahoo Connect Instant Messaging Clients In a tacit acknowledgement that they are failing...

Hose back riding has been used to develope core muscles and balance for paraplegics for decades. The work that the abdominal and back muscles is extremely condusive to strenghtening and stretching. Those of us with miserable backs have found great relief in a horseback ride which allows our bodies to retrain the core muscles damaged by too long at computers or other postures that weren't exactly designed with the human body in mind. I, for one, would be glad to get off the blasted treadmill and steppers and on to something like this during miserable weather.

Really riding - not just schlepping around in a western saddle on a dead-quiet, bored-to-death hack horse - works every muscle in the body. The fittest athletes in the world are jockeys, pound for pound. You just try and balance on 1200 pounds of wiggle and bounce doing 30 mph over uneven ground. Imagine downhill skiing - then give the skis a brain and opinions of their own. Now let 'er rip. That's galloping cross-country. OTOH, looking at this thing, it just ain't working for me, lol. I'd love to try it out, though.

It is a very interesting device, which helps our health and gives us the riding feelings. It is ideal for those who are afraid of horses but who love the riding idea.

I grew up with horses and competed in equestrian competition for almost 20 years. I can attest that horseback riding does build core muscles...and because of it I have always had flat abs, great posture and strong legs. Most people who don't think riding is a workout have only experienced being led around on a trail or ridden using proper "form." I think the igallop and similar machines are an interesting concept. However, I would think they'd be most appealing to competitive horse persons wanting to keep their muscles trained rather than someone wanting better abs. For example, since I moved to a city for my current job, I am not able to ride as often as I used to. If this machine does what it claims to, it'd be worth checking out for me! (Even though the goofy commercial turns me off).

I grew up with horses and competed in equestrian competition for almost 20 years. I can attest that horseback riding does build core muscles...and because of it I have always had flat abs, great posture and strong legs. Most people who don't think riding is a workout have only experienced being led around on a trail or ridden using proper "form." I think the igallop and similar machines are an interesting concept. However, I would think they'd be most appealing to competitive horse persons wanting to keep their muscles trained rather than someone wanting better abs. For example, since I moved to a city for my current job, I am not able to ride as often as I used to. If this machine does what it claims to, it'd be worth checking out for me! (Even though the goofy commercial turns me off).

Suppose that a fighting against the weight may be not only hard but funny just add a little bit of imagination!

I live in Japan and purchased the Joba here on Aug. 1, 2006. I'm a male. I get on it first thing in the mornings. I'm 57 years old and have suffered chronic lower back pain for 15 years. Mornings are a tough time for me to walk straight. After the 15 min Joba workout I then take a bike ride around town for 30 min. then back home for another 15 min on Joba. I have made remarkable progess as far as relief of my lower back pain. Unfortunately, I had to take an emergency trip to California in late Aug to early Sept, but I'm back now and back on my exercise schedule. I'll keep you posted as to other improvements such as reduced weight and waist. But, just to let you know I am able to fit into some clothes that I was growing out of. My friend says that my butt looks smaller, too.

anyone who says riding doesnt require any effort from the rider seriously needs to actually take a full hour long riding lesson in which you actually do more than walk around on a lazy horse being led by a teacher!! then you can tell me it doesnt require any effort from the rider if you get off and can acually walk!! unless your body is absolutely perfect (which pretty much no ones is), you will be in some serious pain untill you work up your muscles to their full potential!! take it from me, ive been riding every day for a long time and my bodies in ablsutely amazing condition!! and for anyone who is not huge (not to be mean, but they are animals) should consider taking up riding cause it is fun and a guarrenteed good work out!!

There is some reference to university research supporting the health claims of this Japanese device. While this device is selling for $2,000.00 at the rate of 2,000 units per month there is little evidence of its effectiveness available to the American consumer.

Let's be wary.

I would LOVE to have a work out machine like this. horseback riding truly is alot of work and I for 1 would really like to stay in shape in the winter instead of coming back to riding and being sore in the summer.If I could afford this piece of equipment I would buy it!

I tried one of these in the shop in Japan last weekend and I really want to get one to use here in Australia. I thought that as exercise equipment goes, it is neat, compact, attractive, quiet and interesting and I could do with the core strength. Exercising whilst catching some TV would be no trouble on this critter. There were a number of models with all sorts of features, top of the range would be good. In the shop they promote the idea of doing upper body exercises whilst riding and there is an exercise DVD.

I saw this Panasonic JOBA machine at the Mitsuwa Japanese grocery store in Chicago. I was on it for about a minute. It was bit embarassing to ride in front of hundreds of people, but I think this is something that might work for people with skinny arms/legs but big bellies.

I have Multiple Sclerosis and my MS therapist told me to hit the gym and work on my core muscles. Well, on eBay I bought this machine for $200, plus
$100 to ship (it costs alot to ship a horse...), I have been having fun, working my core, don't have to TRAVEL to the gym, and my husband's also starting tonight on the horse. Just don't pay retail!

I've been riding since i was four. Not exercise? Getting something that is five times your strength and weight to stop being lazy - use its quarters, round its back, round its neck, and move forward... not normal trot, walk, canter... but collected trot, walk, canter... is VERY VERY HARD on your muscles. your horse's natural reaction is to resist, and he(she) WILL, by sticking its tongue out/ breaking intro trot when you're attempting forward walk/ throwing its head up/ holding the bit... overpowering it is a phenomenal feeling, and the results are so worth it when you see him chewing at his bit and moving forward. but keeping him forward- if that isn't straining on your muscles i don't know what is.