Electricity

[ludwig]

Would it be feasible to provide the power for a gym by using all the excercise machines to generate electricity?

[WoWo]

I have always considered this, I would think not but I'm sure that some of the energy expended could be used to power some things.

[pinus]

I've never used a gym, so I can only go on what I've seen on television, etc. Surely there are very few pieces of apparatus where the human effort could be used to drive a dynamo.

[ludwig]

Pinus, there are loads of suitable things. Treadmills, excercise bikes, rowing machines, things called steppers (I think). You know those dynamos you used to stick on your bike wheel to power the lamp, you'd just need some kind of similar gizmo that could be driven by repetitive motion. I'm just not sure whether you'd get enough power to make it worthwhile.

[norfolk boy]

You would produce enough power for your lights,but don't even think about a kettle.

[IndieSinger]

So everyone could power a little bike light on the front of their running machine! Great!

[inferno]

Its called a dynamo on a bike, I believe!

[ludwig]

norfolk boy, the kettle thing wouldn't be a problem. People could bring flasks if they wanted a hot drink.