Life Fitness announced this week that it plans to offer commercial exercise equipment with seamless iPod integration.

This connectivity makes it possible for iPod users to plug in and charge their iPods, watch video on the equipment’s large LCD screen and control the playing of their iPod music libraries from the console. The first Life Fitness product featuring iPod integration will be demonstrated at the upcoming IHRSA(International Health, Racquet, and Sportsclub Association) Convention in San Francisco and will be available in March with the rest of the line to follow later in the year.

‚ÄúWe are excited to introduce products that take the integrated entertainment experience to the next level,‚Äù said John Stransky, president of Life Fitness. ‚ÄúIn the last decade Life Fitness has led the revolution in merging entertainment with exercise equipment, so it‚Äôs only fitting for us to offer integration with the iPod, which many of our customers use while they exercise.”

‚ÄúWe‚Äôre delighted that Life Fitness offers seamless iPod integration to their customers,” said Ron Okamoto, Apple‚Äôs vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations. ‚ÄúWe think iPod owners are going to enjoy this innovative way to use their iPods while working out.‚Äù

The iPod-integration will allow exercisers to sync their iPods with the equipment’s LCD screen to conveniently view their playlists and enjoy video content while working out. The connection also powers and charges the iPod. Users can plug headphones directly into the equipment console or their iPod for audio while safely storing the music player in the iPod holding tray.