Years ago I wondered how much energy an exercise bike could generate if re-purposed. Not much. Which is why I tossed away the idea of a gym generating its own energy from pedal power — but I ignored the potent “green” marketing potential:
Adam Boesel’s newly opened gym uses human-power to create real energy from four spin bikes at a rate of 200 to 600 watts per hour, depending on how fit the rider is. The energy produced is then stored in a battery that’s used to run the rest of the gym’s equipment, along with solar-power.Green Microgym, which opened September 1, joins a growing number human-powered gyms and includes includes state-of-the-art elliptical trainers and treadmills, which currently use 30% human-power and 70% solar-power, a yoga room with a cork floor and energy-saving ceiling fans are also in place.