Find a way to adapt common gym tools for a reduced gravity environment and design a workout routine that can minimize bone and muscular loss while being fun and easy to use during a long term mission. In doing so consider constraints regarding weight (equipment should weigh less than 500kg) and dimensions. Consider incorporating virtual reality to simulate a jog through an astronaut’s favorite Earth destinations or incorporate gaming to motivate users.

Exercise is an important part of the daily routine for astronauts aboard the International Space Station to prevent bone and muscle loss. On average, astronauts exercise two hours per day. The equipment they use is different from what we use on Earth. Lifting 200 pounds on Earth may be a lot of work. But lifting that same object in space would be much easier. Because of microgravity, it would weigh much less than 200 pounds there. That means exercise equipment needs to be specially designed for use in space so astronauts will receive the workout needed, based on resistance training. This equipment can be heavy and burdensome.

On the ISS, multiple systems to counteract bone and muscle loss are being studied. Weight lifting in space can be achieved through aRES. Tvis and Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill (COLBERT) provide a treadmill that works in 0g. The treadmills are used to simulate walking and running in normal gravity. The cycle can be used to exercise arms or legs. The resistive exercise device is rather like weightlifting on Earth. It allows the user to complete a series of physical exercises while restrained by elastic bungee cords.

Solutions could also be applicable to the Moon or Mars taking into account the specific conditions in each location.