Think about all the workout gyms around the country and think about all those pedal powered exercise machines going at full speed. As the faces of the operators turn red with exertion, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Well, maybe not the first thing; but think of light bulbs. Light bulbs! Electrical power. Right. What if all these exercise machines could be hooked to generators? Now imagine just how much energy could be created every hour and every day of any given week?
That is exactly what they are doing in Eugene at the University of Oregon as well as a number of other colleges campuses which are trying out this new Go for the Green' project. Admittedly, the output at the moment is small-some 6,000 kilowatt hours in one year from 3,000 people per day on 20 machines-supplying enough power to support only one small house, the idea and enthusiasm of the student body has to be given an A+ for effort. And this is only on university and college campuses; the total number of workout gyms in all cities and towns across the country has to be astronomical. And just imagine what it would do for the American people, if every able-bodied person volunteered to workout on one of these machines for just a few minutes every day or so.
Hopefully this brain-baby won't go the way of the electric car eight years ago. At that time the electric car was also given no more than a nod and a wink-look where they are today. Sweat Power' may not sound like much of a giant leap for mankind at the moment, but who knows where it will be ten years down the road. We could be looking at very low-cost electricity and sculpted bodies' all over town!
About the Author
Sandra E. Graham
Born in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, Sandra graduated from Egypt High School in Egypt, Arkansas in 1965. Continuing her education by attending Eastfield College in Mesquite, Texas; Crowley’s Ridge Community College; Mississippi Community College; and finally back home to Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas. She currently lives in Jonesboro with her husband, Donnie and a wealth of Grandchildren! Visit her website at www.sandragraham-articles-books.com to see her newest publications. Sandra's books Amos Jakey and Nicolina are historical adventure books published by American Book publishing and may be purchased through pdbookstore.com, Amazon, Books in Print, Barnes and Noble, and Baker & Taylor. She also writes free book reviews for authors through Book Pleasures.
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I must say this is the most novel and clever green idea I have heard. I have another suggestion- we could use the energy generated to charge a capacitor which would be able to reduce the energy used by the machine itself.
Also though your idea is good in one sense you have to remember that a generator is so expensive it would only be viable in huge gyms with hundreds of machines.
You are right about the expense--that at the moment is the biggest draw back. But new ideas are always popping up, so who knows what will come up next.
Thanks, Connor, for reading and commenting--and don't worry about being blunt. That's life.
What a fantastic idea! That really brought a smile to my face as I read it. I am one of those red faced people at the gym and it would be great to think that my efforts would be helping the environment. Mind you I don't think I would generate enough to light a 10 watt bulb! Still the efforts of many would soon add up!
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