An exercise apparatus 1 has a main body portion 7 with several nodes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 arranged thereon. Each node 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 comprises one or more light sources and a sensor configured to detect user input. A data storage medium 15 stores information relating to a plurality of selectable exercise programs, each comprising an illumination sequence of one or more of the buttons 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and associates each exercise regime with one or more respective regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. A controller 10 operates the apparatus 1 according to a selected exercise routine dependent on actuation of the sensor of a node 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 associated with that program. Also disclosed is a method of controlling an exercise apparatus 1. The device 1 may be used for improving a users reaction speed or agility.
