Story By Joseph Golder
News Editor Ajda Ender
This is the moment a European astronaut works up a sweat aboard the International Space Station by showing off a brand-new piece of fitness kit designed to keep crews strong in microgravity.
Footage shows ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot testing a new European exercise device aboard the International Space Station as part of research into astronaut fitness in microgravity, Low Earth Orbit, July 8, 2026.***Video Licence Restrictions: NONE/UNLIMITED. This video is from a professional partner – for details of our ‘professional partner’ licence see https://newsx.agency/licences/ For terms visit: https://newsx.media/terms-conditions/
The footage was obtained from European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Sophie Adenot testing the equipment in low Earth orbit, on 8th July.
The video shows French astronaut Adenot activating and putting the European Enhanced Exploration Exercise Device (E4D) through its paces, including a rowing exercise, on day 145 of her mission.
Adenot said the device was a technology demonstrator being evaluated for its design, ease of use in orbit, and effectiveness at countering the physical deconditioning astronauts experience in space.
She said future versions could be compact enough to fit aboard spacecraft with even less room than the ISS, opening the door to onboard workouts on future deep-space missions.
Adenot said in a post: “Day 145, orbit 2248. Woohoo!
“So happy I got to carry out the checkout and activation of our brand-new European exercise equipment: the European Enhanced Exploration Exercise Device, or E4D.
This image is a screen grab of the video supplied titled NewsX-FrenchWorkout-01.mp4: Footage shows ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot testing a new European exercise device aboard the International Space Station as part of research into astronaut fitness in microgravity, Low Earth Orbit, July 8, 2026
“I know how much effort, and sweat, the teams have put into the development and ground-testing of this device, and I’m happy to do my part from orbit now!
“I love exercising; it’s always been an extremely important part of my daily routine, and it is exciting to add some variety to the on-orbit workouts!
“The E4D is a technology demonstrator: we’ll evaluate its design, operational aspects, and also effectiveness in counteracting the physical deconditioning experienced by astronauts in space.
“Once we’ve put it through its paces, future versions could find their way on board spacecrafts where the available space (inside) will be even more limited than on the International Space Station.
“Congratulations to all the teams who made this possible!
“Go ESA! Go Europe! Go NASA-ESA partnership!”
(Joe Golder/Clipzilla/NX)
