Sustainable solutions for a killer bod
Think all gyms are electricity guzzlers, with their bright lights and treadmills and super sound systems? Not these guys. Check out a few spots that are revolutionizing the concept of exercise (and alternative energy):
- It's Electric! (...boogie woogie woogie): California Fitness (a subsidiary of 24 Hour Fitness and now in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Sinagpore, Taiwan and China) just launched its "Powered by YOU" program, where energy being burned by exercisers on machines is used to power the building's lights (excess energy is stored in batteries to be used later). Check out the video for more details. Even better: the lights above you begin to flicker if you reduce your speed...like a built-in trainer, reminding you to pick up the pace!
- Shake Yr Booty: Quite possibly the coolest dance club ever, a few years ago, Rotterdam's 'Sustainable Dance Club' amassed the energy created by hundreds of sweaty, gyrating dancers and uses it to fuel the building's lights and speakers. Today, it's still in effect and known as "Watt" (so clever, those Europeans), and rumors are flying around that Amy Winehouse is going to perform soon! Anyway, next time you're in Rotterdam, stop by and let your hot moves heat up the dance floor.
- Total Body Turnaround: Portland, Oregon's Adam Boesel is turning his vision of a "microgym" into a reality. Boesel's aim is to run the gym entirely on alternative energy, both solar and pedal-powered. In the meantime, his website boasts "Not Boot Camp" workouts, where you simply meet other people in a public outdoor spot and experience a truly "green" workout (no fancy equipment or machines needed).
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