How to Save Energy When Working Out

Seems like everyone has at least some workout routine these days.

Do you?

Are you just starting? Considering starting?

Well, you can make you workout energy-efficient for the earth too.

Here’s how to get a good workout and save energy at the same time:

1. Energy-Efficient Exercise Machines

Truth be told, most of today’s models have high energy efficiency. For example, if you’re thinking about a stationary bike or elliptical machine, they use little electricity. They don’t have a motor, requiring electricity only for a computer control system and maybe a resistance device.

If you obsess about saving energy, you can get one of the older models which have no computer-driven resistance or control system.

Treadmills, on the other hand, suck their fair share of electricity. They have a motor operating that belt you walk or run on.

By the way, did you know the treadmill was actually invented in a prison? Sir William Cubitt, an English civil engineer, invented the forerunner to the treadmill in 1818, which was called the “treadwheel.”

Convicts climbed it much like our modern Stairmaster in 8-hour shifts, pumping water or crushing grain. Read the full story about the origin of the treadmill here.

Anyway, just understand the treadmill can be quite the consumer of electricity.

2. Join a Green Health Club

Fitness centers have found that they more easily attract members when they advertise their green-friendly business practices.

So if you decide not to set up a gym in your home, you can still feel good about saving energy when you do exercise.

A rare gym may also actually use exercise equipment that collects electrical energy caused by fitness equipment users and returns it to the grid.

That’s incredibly rare, though. And it’s certainly not available in every metro area. So don’t make it a requirement.

3. Don’t Use Any Electricity At All

Okay, so let’s close with the obvious. You’re 100% energy-efficient when you don’t use any electricity at all.

You can easily get a great workout using a bench and an adjustable-weight dumbbell.

…And there’s about a million exercise programs you can follow to strengthen your muscles that don’t use any weights at all.

Maybe you do cheat a little by setting up your phone or laptop with an exercise video from YouTube to follow along to. But still, your energy usage is minimal.

Yes. Saving energy while working out is easy. And now you know all the options you have at your disposal.