Gyms require electricity and air conditioning, not to mention the powered cardio equipment, which requires the owners to pay utility bills. But what if clients could help fitness centres reduce their energy usage? They can when exercise equipment generates electricity. This concept could be significant for the fitness industry if it becomes popular in Australia and with offshore wind farms in the Zeitgeist right now, we think that any discussion around sustainable energy production is valid. So, could we see gyms creating clean energy through exercise?
Can Gyms Create Clean Energy Through Exercise Equipment?
Imagine a lab with hamsters running on their wheels and generating electricity. Now, take this idea and place it into fitness centres worldwide. If you’ve seen that Black Mirror episode, don’t get all dystopian on me. Realistically, a gym or fitness centre really can leverage fitness equipment to create clean energy.
There are a few factors that need to come together to make this happen:
1. Equipment Selection
First, it’s essential to discuss the type of machines gyms use for this idea. Cardio equipment is ideal because it requires quick and repetitive movements. While strength training machines may work, they don’t generate as much electricity because of their slower motions, so it’s probably going to take some advancements in technology before we can harness any decent amount of power from the leg press machine.
When considering cardio equipment, picking machines that use human power is vital. Traditionally, treadmills required electricity, so they wouldn’t be the best options, but with the uptake of curved and human-propelled treadmills, they could actually be pretty good at generating power. Ellipticals and stationary bikes, as well as rowers are all ideal energy-generating cardio machines because they rely on human movement, rather than motors to operate.
2. Mechanics
How do exercise machines generate power? It starts with the generator. For example, a stationary bike would use this device to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. The inverter can convert the power and let the gym rely less on its electricity systems.
Another essential component for energy generation is human power. This equipment requires constant pedalling and motion from the user, as each rotation aids the resistance. Every ounce of energy from the machine comes from how hard someone pedals.
3. Effectiveness
While clean energy generation from exercise sounds good, it’s worth exploring how effective the machines are. One gym-goer shouldn’t expect to power the entire facility with their pedalling, but many users could generate an substantial amount.
Research from the Sustainable Technologies for Industry’s (STI) 2022 International Conference examined electricity generation in gym equipment. The researchers used a lead-acid battery in their prototype and found a 16.7% charge after two hours.
Are there gyms already using energy-producing equipment?
Some fitness centres in the US have employed gym equipment to achieve sustainability goals and reduce environmental impact. Here are a few businesses letting their members generate power and get fit.
1. Eco Gym
One of the best examples is the Eco Gym in Rochester, New York. This upstate fitness centre is part of the Imaginarium, a large complex with an art gallery and other facilities. The building prioritises net-zero energy principles by incorporating solar panels and energy-producing equipment.
Eco Gym has numerous stationary bikes and ellipticals to supplement the building’s power needs. While it doesn’t produce every kilowatt-hour necessary, it goes a long way to supporting the facility’s net-zero goals. The exercise equipment plugs into the wall and uses micro-inverters to convert the energy.
2. The Green Microgym
The Green Microgym is another illustration of creating clean energy through fun workouts. This fitness centre opened in 2008 and is a mainstay in Portland, Oregon, due to its electricity harvesting. The business retrofitted its existing equipment and incorporated new machines to produce power.
The Green Microgym now has ellipticals and spin bikes to supplement the building’s power needs. While the gym equipment is ground breaking, it’s not the only sustainable tactic the owners employ. The Green Microgym also reduces HVAC costs through mirrored glass and a green roof. In the showers, you’ll find low-flow shower heads to optimise water usage.
3. Sacramento Eco Fitness
Travel down the West Coast to Sacramento Eco Fitness for another gym using advanced machines. This business in California’s capital also uses micro-inverters to harness energy from your bike rides and elliptical machine sessions. These machines are standard, but you’ll also see energy-generating treadmills here. This equipment captures your energy with every step on the loop.
A unique aspect of Sacramento Eco Fitness is its incentive programme for clients. The fitness centre discounts your monthly membership, depending on how many kilowatt-hours you produce for the facility. Is there a better way to promote fitness and sustainability? Working out and saving money on fees is a win-win for customers.
How Could Energy-Generating Gym Equipment Affect Australian Gyms?
Energy-generating exercise machines are becoming more prominent in the United States. How would they affect Australian gyms?
1. Reducing Carbon Footprint
A significant benefit for Australian gyms is reducing their carbon footprint. Fitness centres require constant electricity and water flow, especially if they operate 24 hours a day. Clients could arrive around the clock and produce energy on stationary bikes and elliptical machines.
Reducing gyms’ carbon footprints would align with Australia’s climate goals. The government has targeted a 43% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050. While fitness centres are a small part of the economy, Australians can help the environment through machines available at these facilities.
2. Lowering Operational Costs
Energy-generating equipment benefits clients and the population outside the gym. How would fitness centre owners take advantage? Producing power inside your gym means lower operational costs. Management can allocate the money saved toward reinvestment.
Generating power through stationary bikes and elliptical machines resembles photovoltaic (PV) panels. The facility can use the power for its lights and HVAC units and rely less on the grid. The business could sell excess energy to utility companies and reduce overheads.
3. Inviting Sustainable Customers
Sustainability is a significant concern for many Australians, particularly our younger generations. People want to protect the environment and support businesses who share the same values. 2023 research from Monash University found 96% of Australian consumers engaged in sustainability, so gyms could use it to connect with new clients and convey their values to existing ones.
What Other Ways Are Gyms Improving Sustainability?
While non-motorised treadmills, stationary bikes and elliptical machines are great, they aren’t feasible for some facilities. Fortunately, there are other ways that gyms are able to boost sustainability. Here are three ways they can reduce their environmental impact.
1. Efficient Lightbulbs
Not only is effective lighting important in fitness centres to ensure the safety of your members, but it can also enhance the aesthetic of your facility. Swapping an 84-watt fluorescent bulb for an efficient 36-watt LED version means using less power and maintaining the same brightness level in the gym. Fitness centres with plentiful sunshine could utilise natural lighting with large windows and improved gym floor design as well, reducing reliance on electric lighting.
2. Solar Panels
Gyms can use rooftop solar panels to reduce their reliance on utility companies. Solar power has become prominent in Australia, with over 25% of residents using it for energy generation.
Australia’s location makes it conducive to solar generation, as it receives plenty of sunlight. Residents and businesses have leveraged these panels, and gyms can use them to meet climate goals. Even small fitness centres benefit from a few panels facing the sun.
3. Recycling Bins
When you think of gyms, you might imagine less waste than a restaurant or hotel. However, these facilities can quickly accumulate trash from clients. In response, gyms have implemented recycling bins to reduce waste disposal and help the environment.
Consider the waste you could see in a gym. People could bring water bottles, energy drinks and protein shakes and throw away the empty containers. There’s also trash in the bathroom, and locker room garbage cans could fill up with paper towels and other waste.
With hygiene being a higher priority since the global pandemic, the number of gym wipes used has also skyrocketed. While we’re all for minimising the spread of germs on the gym floor, consider biodegradable or compostable gym wipes to reduce your impact on landfill.
How can gyms get started on reducing their environmental impact?
There are plenty of fitness businesses who are making sustainability a priority. We’ve picked out a few of our favourites:
Sustainability Focused Cardio Equipment:
- SportsArt Elite Eco-Powr™ Line – this range of cardio machines by SportsArt have been specifically designed to feed energy generated by the user back to the grid. The Elite Eco-Powr™ line includes a slat-belt non-motorised treadmill, elliptical, upright, and recumbent stationary bikes.
- BodyBike Smart®+ Forest Green and Oceanix models – these stationary bikes haven been made using 25% recycled ABS plastic. This is in addition to the use of 35kgs of reclaimed, recycled iron that goes into every single BodyBike across all of their models, forming the crank shaft, pedal arms and flywheel.
- Technogym Excite Line – the new generation of Technogym’s popular Excite line of fitness equipment has set a new standard for sustainability from this global powerhouse. All of the Excite range are powered exclusively by human movement, except for the treadmill, which has been designed to use 15% less energy than its’ predecessor. The range uses up to 60% recycled plastic and sustainable packaging.
Sustainable Gym Flooring:
- Recycled rubber flooring is perfect for absorbing the force of dropped weights as well all offering a non-slip, shock absorbent surface for dynamic movements. We love the effort Pliteq Tread have gone to in creating a durable and sustainable product for gym floors.
Hygiene and Waste Reduction:
Keep your facility hygienically clean while minimising your environmental footprint with Gym Lab disinfectant. This Aussie made and owned company has created a commercial-grade gym disinfectant that does away with the need for disposable wipes. Not-so-fun fact: more than 25,000,000kg of plastic wipes are thrown into landfill in Australia each year!
About the author:
Oscar Collins is the fitness editor at Modded, where he writes about fitness trends, nutrition, and similar topics.
Follow him on Twitter @TModded for frequent updates on his work.
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