In anticipation of the 2014 Winter Olympics set to be held in Sochi, Russia, the city of Moscow decided to install a train ticket dispensing machine that offers commuters a free ride for completing 30 full squats in a row. Situated right next to the usual ticket vending machines where travelers can purchase rides, each special kiosk includes a short, blue pathway that leads to a mat with footprints on it for participants to stand on.
Once they're prepared, the machine starts a quick countdown and records each squat the person does in front of the machine. The fun, interactive installation is one that gets the people in the city excited for the Olympics while also promoting healthy activity. President of the Russian Olympic Committee Alexander Zhukov says, “We wanted to show that the Olympic Games is not just an international competition that people watch on TV, but that it is also about getting everyone involved in a sporting lifestyle.”
The machines offering free rides for squats will be available for one month. Shortly thereafter, the Winter Olympics are scheduled to begin on February 7, 2014.
via [Inhabitat]