Off the Grid

I read an article the other day about The Green Microgym in Portland, Ore. Owner Adam Boesel modified some exercise cycles so that they generate electricity. “Boesel has re-engineered a small motor to capture the pedal power from a trio of Spin bikes [to] generate electricity for the gym’s television and stereo system,” says KOAA.com.

I’m a big fan of modifying (also known as “hacking”) objects to fit a specific need. One of my favorite websites showcases people’s ingenious modifications of Ikea furniture. Repurposing is good for the pocketbook and the environment.

I think what Boesel has done is creative and innovative, and should be applauded. Short of ordering the four-person Team Dynamo, which harnesses the collective power of exercisers as they pedal and turn hand cranks — or investing in some of the other electricity-generating equipment options FM Senior Editor Anne McDonnell discussed in her earlier post about the subject — what other choice do fitness-center-owning inventors who want to get off the grid have but to hack their existing equipment?

This is a feel-good story meant to inspire other facility owners to think outside the box to achieve new levels of eco-consciousness. But I do have some questions.

What about the warranty? Once you modify a piece of fitness equipment, the warranty is null and void, right? And, if you’re not as scientifically and mechanically inclined as Boesel, there’s a good chance you’ll really break something.

What about insurance? How do insurance companies cover a facility with modified equipment? Will they even consider it?

As I said before, I admire Boesel’s initiative. But do I think it’s the ideal solution for most fitness center owners? Not even close.

Technology: The Latest Fitness Craze

I’ve gone to many trade shows over the years, and seen many fitness companies and products come and go. Manufacturers are always looking for the next big thing (remember when the elliptical trainer came out?), and facility owners are always looking for the latest and greatest product to get members in and then keep them coming back.

More than a few times, I have seen products at trade shows and thought, “This product will never make it. What were they thinking!?” (To refresh your memory on some of these, read Top 20 Product Trends from the Past 20 Years.)

Despite past mistakes, I think manufacturers and fitness centers (by way of their wallets) got it right this time. Instead of trying to come up with some new-fangled cardio machine, most of the major manufacturers have focused, instead, on making improvements to their existing lines. The major addition I saw at a recent trade show was in technology. Cardio machines now feature personal viewing screens, plug into iPods, and can track workouts with a USB stick or the Nike+ system. Now, these are things that members will actually use!

A recent article about the newest fitness equipment says, “The future of exercise is here — and it’s heavy on the techno. Fitness equipment is catching up with tech-savvy, gadget-loving exercisers.”

Members can now keep better track of their workouts, or simply have more distractions from their painful miles on the treadmill with movies, music and television right on their console. “Watching a bank of communal televisions is so five minutes ago,” says the article. Technology and fitness manufacturers have finally caught up to the ideal of a totally personal and individualized exercise experience.

Of course, there will always be the dreamers who come up with some strange gadget that they think will be the next best thing. And, more power to them! They always make trade shows more interesting for everyone.

Let the Fun Begin! If It’s Practical...

The idea of making fitness fun has been talked about for years. Many companies have taken note of the trend, and in the past several years, many entertainment products have been brought to the market and featured in FM. Playstations and Xboxes were added to some cardio equipment in the past several years. And, products like Konami’s Dance Dance Revolution, Cateye’s Game Bike and Cybex’s Trazer were introduced. But, while these products are great, most are single stations which make them impractical — providing a workout to one member at a time vs. to a group. Could that be changing?

Recently, Nintendo joined the ranks of those companies that are offering fitness entertainment products. An MSNBC article, Tired of spin classes? Try Wii workout station, published July 24, featured a Canadian health club, Studio 55, in Vancouver, B.C., which now has a Wii workout station. “Clients at the health club are encouraged to use the Wii as part of circuit training, warm-up or cool-down, with the system set up in a 400-square-foot theater room with a large projection screen,” says the MSNBC article.

Now, Ninento is developing a new system called Wii Fit, which the company plans to release in 2008. Wii Fit is a video game that allows individuals to perform different forms of activities, from yoga to aerobics. From the looks of it, facilities could house this system in a group exercise setting, and allow members to follow along.

As people become more in tune to being entertained during their workouts, fitness facility operators need to bring these types of products to their members, just to stay competitive. But, manufacturers will need to start looking at how these types of products can be most cost-effective and practical for fitness facilities. So, for those of you who have wanted to add the entertainment element to your menu of exercise options, the future could be promising, and practical.