Difference between revisions of "HeartBeat Personal Trainer"

From Sega Retro

m (→‎Gallery: image descriptions. What... are the cables in File:OJHPT 4.jpg? Are those small pieces of hardware on the end of each cable actually the sensors themselves? god I hope that's not the case, cause that does NOT look comfortable, but hey this was the 90s, and moreover I don't see any other pair of cables here that looks like it's for that purpose, but I don't know.)
 
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| consoleimage=HeartBeatPersonalTrainer.png
 
| consoleimage=HeartBeatPersonalTrainer.png
 
| imgwidth=320
 
| imgwidth=320
| maker=[[HeartBeat Corporation]]
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| maker=[[HeartBeat Corporation]]{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20210414054316/http://videogamekraken.com/heartbeat-personal-trainer-catalyst}}
 
| releases={{releasesMD
 
| releases={{releasesMD
| md_date_us=1993
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| md_date_us=1993-11-24{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20210414054316/http://videogamekraken.com/heartbeat-personal-trainer-catalyst}}
| md_rrp_us=299.99{{magref|gamepro|57|92}}
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| md_rrp_us=299.95{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20210414054316/http://videogamekraken.com/heartbeat-personal-trainer-catalyst}}{{magref|gamepro|57|92}}
}}}}The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is a [[Sega Mega Drive]] variant with included body-mounted fitness sensor hardware which reads the user's heart rate, motion, and skin salinity levels for in-game feedback. Manufactured by American video game hardware developer [[HeartBeat Corporation]], it was released exclusively in the United States in 1993, and is notable for having a production run of only 1000 units. Sold with the included pack-in game ''[[Outback Joey]]'' (which was specifically developed to utilize the system's fitness sensors, and not available for purchase separately), both are considered some of the rarest pieces of Mega Drive history in existence.{{ref|https://www.sega-16.com/2004/08/genesis-accessory-peripheral-guide/}}
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}}}}The '''{{PAGENAME}}''', also known as the '''HeartBeat System''' and the '''HeartBeat control deck''', is a [[Sega Mega Drive]] variant themed around personal fitness. Designed and manufactured by [[HeartBeat Corporation]] and including the [[Catalyst]] body-mounted [[wikipedia:Activity tracker|fitness sensor]] hardware{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20210414054316/http://videogamekraken.com/heartbeat-personal-trainer-catalyst}}, it was released exclusively in the United States in November 1993. Notable for having a production run of only 1,000 units, and sold with the exclusive pack-in game ''[[Outback Joey]]'', both are considered some of the rarest pieces of Mega Drive history in existence.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20131011185723/https://www.sega-16.com/2004/08/genesis-accessory-peripheral-guide/}}
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Contrary to popular belief, the system is not required to operate the [[HeartBeat Catalyst]] fitness sensor hardware, and the latter was even sold separately for those who already owned a Sega Mega Drive.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20211004063507/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-06-24-ls-7959-story.html}}{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20220129122219/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-02-24-9402240306-story.html}}
  
 
==Hardware==
 
==Hardware==
The HeartBeat Personal Trainer is compatible with any NTSC [[Sega Genesis]] cartridge, and additionally came bundled with body-mounted fitness sensor hardware which reads the user's [[wikipedia:heart rate|heart rate]], motion, and skin salinity levels for in-game feedback. The only game developed to utilize this hardware, ''[[Outback Joey]]'', uses this feeback to control the running speed of its player character, and encourages maintaining a consistent heart rate through exercise. Though not a requirement, the Personal Trainer is intended for use with fitness machines such as exercise bikes and treadmills, and also saves past exercise history for later study.
+
The HeartBeat Personal Trainer is compatible with any NTSC [[Genesis]] cartridge, and has no additional features over a standard [[Mega Drive]]. The upper half of the system itself is a custom shell using a smooth, sandpaper-like texture designed to mimic that found on the grips and handles of gym exercise machines, with the bottom half taken directly from a Model 1 Genesis. Though not a requirement, the Personal Trainer is intended for use with fitness machines such as exercise bikes and treadmills.
 
 
==History==
 
The system, alongside its dedicated software ''[[Outback Joey]]'', appeared at [[Winter CES 1994]]{{magref|gamepro|57|92}}{{magref|mega|18|12}} and was used to demonstrate how the Personal Trainer's specialized fitness sensors could be utilized with a traditional video game.
 
 
 
An updated revision of the system was supposedly scheduled to be released sometime in 1994, but it appears [[HeartBeat Corporation]] had gone out of business before such a revision could be released.
 
 
 
In addition to ''[[Outback Joey]]'', the likes of  ''[[NHLPA Hockey '93]]'', ''[[PGA Tour Golf]]'', ''[[Earthworm Jim]]'', and the unreleased ''[[Outworld 2375 AD]]'' were mentioned as possibly including support for the system's unique features, but were ultimately left unrealized. Notably, some of these games had finished development before the Personal Trainer was even released; the original source of this claim is known.
 
 
 
==Gallery==
 
<gallery>
 
File:HeartBeatPersonalTrainer.png|The HeartBeat Personal Trainer with ''[[Outback Joey]]''.
 
File:OJHPT 7.jpg|The HeartBeat Personal Trainer, controllers, sensors, and cables.
 
File:OJHPT 6.jpg|The HeartBeat Personal Trainer.
 
File:OJHPT 1.jpg|The exercise bike controllers.
 
File:OJHPT 2.jpg|The controller adapter.
 
File:OJHPT 3.jpg|The power adapter, fitness sensors, and attachment clip.
 
File:OJHPT 4.jpg|The fitness sensor cables. (?)
 
File:OJHPT 5.jpg|The RF and video adapters.
 
File:OJHPT 8.jpg|The instruction manuals and fitness guide.
 
File:OJHPT 9.jpg|Brochures, safety warning, and registration card.
 
</gallery>
 
  
 
==Physical scans==
 
==Physical scans==
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| front=OJHPT US Box Front.jpg
 
| front=OJHPT US Box Front.jpg
 
| back=OJHPT US Box Back.jpg
 
| back=OJHPT US Box Back.jpg
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| manual=HeartBeatPersonalTrainer US manual front.png
 
| spinemissing=yes
 
| spinemissing=yes
 
| square=yes
 
| square=yes
 
}}
 
}}
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==External links==
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*[http://videogamekraken.com/heartbeat-personal-trainer-catalyst HeartBeat Personal Trainer] at [http://videogamekraken.com/ The Video Game Kraken]
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*''[https://web.archive.org/web/20220129122219/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-02-24-9402240306-story.html Technology adds new thrills to boring exercise equipment]'' article by Bob Condor at ''[https://www.chicagotribune.com The Chicago Tribune]'' (archive)
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*''[https://web.archive.org/web/20211004063507/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-06-24-ls-7959-story.html THE GOODS: Technowatch: Gone! Last of the Excuses]'' article by Lynn Simross at ''[https://www.latimes.com The Los Angeles Times]'' (archive)
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
  
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{{HeartBeatCatalyst}}
 
{{MegaDrive}}
 
{{MegaDrive}}

Latest revision as of 01:51, 24 November 2023

HeartBeatPersonalTrainer.png
HeartBeat Personal Trainer
Manufacturer: HeartBeat Corporation[1]
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
US
$299.95299.95[1][2]

The HeartBeat Personal Trainer, also known as the HeartBeat System and the HeartBeat control deck, is a Sega Mega Drive variant themed around personal fitness. Designed and manufactured by HeartBeat Corporation and including the Catalyst body-mounted fitness sensor hardware[1], it was released exclusively in the United States in November 1993. Notable for having a production run of only 1,000 units, and sold with the exclusive pack-in game Outback Joey, both are considered some of the rarest pieces of Mega Drive history in existence.[3]

Contrary to popular belief, the system is not required to operate the HeartBeat Catalyst fitness sensor hardware, and the latter was even sold separately for those who already owned a Sega Mega Drive.[4][5]

Hardware

The HeartBeat Personal Trainer is compatible with any NTSC Genesis cartridge, and has no additional features over a standard Mega Drive. The upper half of the system itself is a custom shell using a smooth, sandpaper-like texture designed to mimic that found on the grips and handles of gym exercise machines, with the bottom half taken directly from a Model 1 Genesis. Though not a requirement, the Personal Trainer is intended for use with fitness machines such as exercise bikes and treadmills.

Physical scans

Mega Drive, US
OJHPT US Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngOJHPT US Box Front.jpg
Cover
HeartBeatPersonalTrainer US manual front.png
Manual

External links

References


HeartBeat Catalyst
Topics Magazine articles | Promotional material | Personal Trainer | HeartBeat Corporation
Games NHLPA Hockey | Outback Joey | Outworld 2375 AD | PGA Tour Golf II
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