Commuters of the future could shed weight by leaping onto an exercise bike on their train to work.

Deutsche Bahn, the state-owned German railway company, has unveiled "Idea Train" which could revolutionise conventional travel.

For millions of people, the time spent on commuting is time lost, but not on this train, according to Süddeutsche Zeitung.

Passengers' every need will be catered for. Trains will be equipped with exercise bikes, a fitness studio and even a digital coach.

There will be quiet areas with noise cancelling chairs, privacy pods, space for children and even television sets.

Up until now the train's unique selling point over a car has been the ability to read or get work done while travelling.

For people who hate facing backwards while travelling by rail, it will be possible to swivel the seats to choose one's preferred direction.

But with self-driving cars coming ever closer, Deutsche Bahn's designers believe that the rail industry has to offer even more to make train travel the preferred choice.

In Britain, Virgin Trains unveiled its newest Azuma fleet which, while short of the futuristic initiatives of the German trains, will offer mood lighting and free wi-fi.