Since a time ago, The commitment to sustainability has reached gyms thanks to the integration of systems to generate renewable energy. Based on the training's own efforts. This trend is embodied in an innovative prototype developed at the Polytechnic University of Cartagena (UPCT), where it has been demonstrated that the energy generated during a weight training session can transform the way sports centers manage their electricity consumption.
The project, conceived by Sergio Abellán SaorÃn, student and mechanical engineer born in Cieza in 2000, proposes a simple solution: harnessing physical work on weight training machines to produce reusable electricity. In this way, The traditional waste of watts in the weight room becomes a source of energy for the center itself., reducing the carbon footprint and raising user awareness about energy savings.
How does exercise transform into clean energy?
The system is based on a mechanical generator composed of pulleys, gears and a double freewheel mechanism that is installed on common machines such as the leg press. When performing the exercise, the linear motion is transformed into rotation, which powers a high-efficiency synchronous generator. The electricity generated can be fed directly into the gym's internal power grid thanks to a certified inverter, ensuring that each repetition contributes to both training and energy savings.
This system, validated through 3D printed prototypes and real tests, achieves an efficiency of 64,6%.Approximately two-thirds of the energy exerted during training is recovered as useful electricity. This allows for the development of gyms geared toward energy self-sufficiency and more sustainable management.
In addition to powering the center's electrical devices, It is possible to inject the surplus directly into the building's electrical network, helping to reduce conventional consumption and promoting a more ecological model in urban gyms or specialized chains.
Cost, motivation and commercial future
One of the most relevant advantages of development is that The investment required for each machine is around 600 euros.The project managers consider this amount affordable, especially considering that the system can be amortized in the short to medium term with the energy savings achieved. Furthermore, this solution does not require modifying the original functionality of the equipment, making it easily adaptable to existing appliances.
The response from engineering experts, such as Professor Óscar de Francisco Ortiz, has been positive. They emphasize that, in addition to moving toward more sustainable centers, This technology connects users with the real value of energy and can motivate them to train, knowing that their efforts directly contribute to sustainability.
At the moment, the technology has been implemented in a leg press, but There are no impediments to adapting it to other bodybuilding equipmentThe goal is that, in the near future, These solutions can be marketed and incorporated into gyms of different sizes and profiles.
Sergio Abellán, after completing his studies and combining internships at various companies, hopes to soon see his invention working in sports facilities. For him, engineering and personal development go hand in hand in the challenge of designing real solutions for the energy transition.
This approach demonstrates that Harnessing human power in gyms to generate electricity is a viable option., and that sustainability can begin in the training center itself, with every repetition and every drop of sweat. Turning sports centers into small renewable energy plants is no longer a utopia, but a concrete alternative for those who want to combine sport and respect for the planet.
