A Moscow subway station has introduced a machine accepting squats in lieu of payment for tickets, in anticipation of the Sochi Winter Olympics.
Instead of paying the 30 ruble ($0.92) single fare, passengers wishing to board the underground at Vystavochnaya Station are given the option of completing 30 squats or lunges in less than 2 minutes.
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Aimed at promoting exercise, the move is part of the Russian Olympic Committee’s plan to "add elements of sport into daily life".
In operation until 3 December 2013, the machine only accepts the movements as payment, which it processes with the help of an in-built camera.
Despite use figures not yet being available, the Russian Olympic Committee is reported at claiming interest in the machine is "very strong and enthusiastic".
Considered essential to any core-strength regimes, squats stimulate the muscles in the thigh, buttocks, hips, quads, and hamstring areas.
Lyudmila, a young woman who had tested the experience first-hand, said: "It was hard at first but I managed it."
"Two minutes is enough time," she added.
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