Green Gym

What if I told you you could get save the environment while getting in shape, would that be something you might be interested in?

A Portland, Oregon gym, Green Microgym, is doing exactly that. The science behind generating electricity from gym equipment is not exactly new. Bikers have been using dynamos for decades to power their front and rear lamps. Owner of Green Microgym, Adam Boesel has incorporated the same principle in his gym equipment. In an effort to be carbon neutral exercise facility, Adam has installed solar panels in the front of the building which generate about a third of the electricity and teamed up with Texas company Henry Works, to install human dynamos on most all the exercise equipment.

The device connects several exercise bikes with a battery that stores the energy generated as people pedal. External appliances, such as a TV or a lamp, can then be plugged into the box to utilize the power.

The challenge for the future of this project is developing a mass storage system for the electricity. The most efficient way is channel it into the grid operated by a local utility company. The system is already used to integrate solar generated power with the electricity supply system.

So why don't more gyms have this? Because it is very costly to install energy-generating equipment. Especially in a tight economy, the high price might be too much for a company to pay. The challenge: for companies that supply this new environmentally friendly exercise equipment to make it affordable.

For now, Adam's goal is to have a gym run solely on the energy it generates. "I think in 20 years it's going to be standard for all gyms,' adds Mr Boesel.