Hong Kong Gym Harvests People-Power
by Matthew Sparkes, London, UK 
on 06.25.07
Obesity is rife, and power is scarce. A gym in Hong Kong has take these two problems, and created one bonkers solution. The exercise machines create power which is then used to power the gym.
Rather than use machines that waste energy as heat or sound, they have installed the useful machines which can generate up to 50 watts from each person.
Lucien Gambarota, the inventor behind the idea, said, "Each of these machines, they are equipped with a generator inside. So what we did, we diverted part of the electricity produced by the machine to recharge a battery, he said. "And with what we store in the battery, we have been able to power part of the lighting system."
One club member is behind the plan, "I think it's a really good idea. At least the energy is used for something good. It gives you more reason - you are not wasting what you are using, so it's better that way."
Steve Clinefelter, president of the chain of gyms, said that they would consider implementing the plan in other centers around the country. "If that proves successful and economically viable, then we see nothing that would stop us from continuing to grow to more and more of our clubs, and ultimately to the entire industry, and all clubs worldwide would consider and choose this kind of an alternative power source."
Clinefelter says that in the future the machines may be hooked up to the TVs in the gym – if the members want to watch, then they have to work out. It’s an interesting motivational technique, I’m sure you’ll agree. ::VOA
See also ::Gimnasio Ecológico Lumen
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I thought for some time that this would be a good idea.
I will be interested to see how much energy is saved.
I'm thinking it won't be much maybe 5 %, but every bit helps
It's about time someone did this! I've been pondering why this idea hasn't been introduced for years; after all, most cardio machines actually count the watts that you are producing--and wasting. I hope the 24hour fitness chain in the US picks it up--the 5 pm workout crowd alone could power my gym for the entire day!.
best idea ever! makes more sense for home use since you can power your own stuff. the gym should let you charge your cell phone while you work out. with several people working out simultaneously, you can make alot of power (almost 100w per person). its suprising that they said it only powers part of their lighting system.
I love it!! I think it is makes so much sense to do, your burning energy and creating it at the same time! Its awesome, I would love to see this in more gyms out there.
This is a most appealing way to exercise. I think it would be even better to run the power directly to some lights.
adrianakau2aol.com
I think this is a tremendous idea and I'm glad to see it happen. But it could be a catch 22 for the clubs. If they promote it and more people show up then they could potentially "capture" more power to save money and energy on lighting, tv's, etc. On the other hand they don't want to (really, it's not thier business model) encourage even more participation at the gym or they'll have to build out a bigger gym. Could you imagine if all the members of a gym actually showed up? Chaos.
Yep, I don't understand why this hasn't been done before! Glad to hear someone is!