Finally there’s a way to exercise and save the environment, other than eliminating the gas that comes from cutting out those 7-11 burritos from your diet. Green Microgym in Portland, Oregon has fixed up their equipment to literally generate energy from the sweat of exercisers. It’s going to be the first gym in the country to use solar power and “human-powered cycling and cardio machines” to generate renewable energy. As long as they don’t reuse the water for the showers like the hippies at Woodstock, this sounds like a winner.

“We are creating a neighborhood gym that is as comfortable and effective as any other,” [owner Adam Boesel] said. “At the same time, our members are doing their part to help the Earth.”

Boesel recently showed off the Human Dynamo prototype, an exercise machine consisting of four spin bikes attached to a small generator… As many as four riders can propel the prototype system, which can produce 200 watts to 600 watts of energy an hour.

Wow, so four people riding on a bike for an hour can light a 60-watt bulb for about five hours, and it’ll only cost you burning off a Ring Ding? Maybe we don’t have to cut out those burritos after all.. whatever our girlfriend says.

Calories come off and lights come on [LA Times]
Image [LA Times]