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Using Gym Rats' Body Power to Generate Electricity

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the other-biodiesel-generators dept.

Carl Bialik from WSJ writes "A Hong Kong health club is hoping that a car battery, some StairMasters and dozens of gym rats can help ease the world's energy problems. It is just one of a wave of projects that are trying to tap the power of the human body, the Wall Street Journal reports. The article explains the impetus behind the project: 'The human power project at California Fitness was set in motion by Doug Woodring, a 41-year-old extreme-sports fanatic and renewable-energy entrepreneur, who pitched the experiment to the gym's management last May. "I've trained my whole life, and many megawatts have been wasted," says Mr. Woodring, who has worked out at the Hong Kong gym for years. "I wanted to do something with all that sweat."'"

6 of 338 comments (clear)

  1. can they also make a contraption... by tuxette · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...that will collect the energy generated by all the jiggling rings of fat you see on most people these days?

    --
    People say I'm crazy, I got diamonds on the soles of my shoes...
    1. Re:can they also make a contraption... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Fat is stored energy. What you need to do is pay them for liposuction, like buying oil drilling rights.
      it would give a whole new meaning to the phrase "fat farm".

    2. Re:can they also make a contraption... by jambox · · Score: 5, Funny

      Just wait for them to have a heart attack, then attach a turbine to the crematorium... Come on, it's better than coal!

      --
      You thought you could break the laws of physics without paying the PRICE?
  2. I can't wait... by FredDC · · Score: 5, Funny

    ... to see the guy on the threadmill yelling at the guy on the stairmaster to "go faster!"

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    09 f9 11 02 9d 74 e3 5b d8 41 56 c5 63
  3. The Stupid! It Burns! by SQL+Error · · Score: 5, Funny

    "I've trained my whole life, and many megawatts have been wasted," says Mr. Woodring, who has worked out at the Hong Kong gym for years.
    Spending one of those years in science class might not have been a bad idea.
  4. Walt Disney never pictured this by Spacezilla · · Score: 5, Funny

    Morpheus: What is the Matrix? Control. The Matrix is a computer-generated dream world built to keep you under control in order to change a mouse into this.
    [holds up a Duracell battery]
    Mickey Mouse:: No, I don't believe it. It's not possible!
    Morpheus:: I didn't say it would be easy, Mickey. I just said it would be the truth.