Sustainable fitness: the gyms where the energy of human exertions is harnessed to power the machines

The latest trend in fitness involves exercise machines that produce electricity to help power gyms or which can be sold to utilities for cash

The idea of sustainable fitness is starting to catch on as gym goers look for greener ways to work out

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Human-powered gym machines are the latest eco trend in the fitness industry. Photo: SportsArt

Published: 8:00pm, 14 Oct 2019Updated: 8:22pm, 14 Oct 2019

Millions of people the world over are running, cycling and rowing on machines that devour electricity. Now, eco-savvy gyms are harnessing the energy their exertions generate to power the equipment.

Last year, an “ecogym” opened in Rochester, New York. It uses 21 cardio machines – 16 indoor cycles, two recumbent bikes and two ellipticals – to produce human-generated electricity.

As yet this sustainable fitness trend has barely begun to catch on in Asia-Pacific.

According to a report by Deloitte and IHRSA, the Asia-Pacific region’s fitness industry was worth approximately US$16.8 billion in 2018, with more than 25,000 clubs catering to around 22 million members.

SportsArt equipment produces human-generated, utility grade electricity.

While the energy produced at the Rochester gym is not enough to power the whole facility, the collected energy, combined with the energy produced by a 26-kilowatt rooftop solar power system and two 8.9-kilowatt small wind turbines, is sufficient to power the building. The gym is equipped with all the standard weight-loaded machines, but its energy-collecting cardio equipment is supplied by green fitness technology company SportsArt.

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