How responsible do you feel about going green in your facility? The heightened concern about environmental issues has prompted different reactions from people. But, recent surveys show that, despite the role you feel you should play, most people do feel that everyone needs to play a part. And, one fitness facility may be a leader in the green energy department.
One survey, the 2007 Cone Consumer Environmental Survey, found that most Americans are making personal efforts to reduce their impact on the environment through energy conservation (93 percent), recycling (89 percent), conserving water (86 percent), and telling friends and family about environmental issues (70 percent). In addition, 93 percent of Americans believe companies have a responsibility to preserve the environment.
So, how can your facility be one of those companies? We’ve reported on a number of green efforts made by facilities across the country in Fitness Management magazine. But, none so far has managed to top the creativity of the most recent green-ovation put to use at the Ridgefield Fitness Club in Ridgefield, Conn. Ridgefield is the first facility to have a new invention installed on its bikes that actually generates electricity, which is then put back onto the fitness center’s energy grid.
The invention was created by Jay Whelan, who owns the company The Green Revolution Inc. He came up with the idea to generate electricity using stationary cycles by attaching a black box. According to an article in The Ridgefield Press.com, “A group cycling class using 20 bikes has the potential to produce 3.6 megawatts of renewable energy a year. … That number of megawatts is enough to light 72 homes for a month and reduce carbon emissions by 5,000 pounds.”
While Whelan brought the technology to the Ridgefield Fitness Club first “to see how gym members feel about helping the environment during their cardio,” this invention could be the beginning of a green revolution. The company is already working on attachments for other cardio machines, including ellipticals and rowers. Which means that, if Americans really believe that it’s the responsibility of businesses to play a major role in energy conservation, this could be the industry’s ticket to being a positive role model for society.
How important do you feel your role is in the greening of our environment? Important enough to go with The Green Revolution?
2 comments:
Actually, The Green Microgym in Portland was the first gym to have their bikes generating electricity. They are using the Human Dynamo.
Trista Thompson
ZenCycle Fitness
Oops, I just found your other post about the Green Microgym. Anyways, I'm very excited to see that the momentum to harness human power is building. I plan on being a part of the solution as well by purchasing the Green Revolution generators as soon as they come out. Thanks for reporting.
Trista T.
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