Systems and methods for improving fitness equipment and exercise

A method of playing a game comprising:

• providing a game character within a video game executing on a gaming device, the gaming device including a processor operative to execute the following steps, the game character having a virtual appearance characteristic displayable on the gaming device;
• receiving, within the gaming device, an input signal indicative of achievement of a physical goal by a user;
• and
• altering the virtual appearance characteristic in response to receiving the input signal, wherein achievement of the physical goal of the user results in a virtual appearance characteristic transformation and an improved gaming performance level of the game character within the video game;
• wherein the video game is executable over the internet as part of an exercise group that includes a first user and a second user, wherein the first user and the second user play the video game and wherein the method further comprises displaying the game character of the first user to the second user as a representation of the first user such that the second user can see that the first user has achieved the physical goal based on the altered virtual appearance characteristic.

A system for playing a game comprising:

• a game system adapted to allow a user to interact with a virtual environment using a game character having a virtual appearance characteristic;
• an input device coupled to the game system and adapted to provide an input signal to the game system indicative of an exercise performance level of the user;
• and
• a game adapted to execute on the game system and further adapted to alter the virtual appearance characteristic in response to receiving the input signal, wherein achievement of a pre-determined exercise performance level results in a virtual appearance characteristic transformation and an improved gaming performance level of the game character within the game;
• wherein the video game is executable over the internet as part of an exercise group that includes a first user and a second user, wherein the first user and the second user play the video game and wherein the video game displays the game character of the first user to the second user as a representation of the first user such that the second user can see that the first user has achieved the pre-determined exercise performance level based on the altered virtual appearance characteristic.