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Green machines place North Somerset health club as world leader

23rd September 2013 Print
Jason Eaton, general manager at theclub

A North Somerset health club has become the first venue in the world to install environmentally friendly fitness equipment that will feed back electricity into the building’s power supply while they’re being used.

Called ARTIS, the new machines which have been supplied by Technogym, have been installed at theclub, Cadbury House in Congresbury.

Costing £600,000, the 42 pieces of equipment have been in development over the last five years and are regarded as being the most environmentally friendly on the market.

It means the human energy produced during exercise is recycled and renewed as it is fed back into the building’s energy supply helping to power the gym. So when, for example someone uses one of the exercise bikes, the technology housed within that piece of equipment converts the human energy into electricity.

In addition, the treadmills reduce energy consumption by 30% helping lower further the energy consumption of the health club while the physical activity performed on both the cardio and strength equipment is recycled to power the equipment display consoles.

Jason Eaton, general manager at theclub said: “The installation of this new equipment really is the very latest in health club technology. In terms of cutting-edge design, sustainability, connectivity and biomechanical excellence, nothing comes close.

“To be the first health club in the world to have this new technology once again proves we are leading edge when it comes to improving our members’ experience. It’s what sets us apart from all other health clubs.

“Not only does the new kit look great, they are ergonomically designed to maximise the time spent by our members while training providing them with the optimum work out.

“On top of that we’re reducing the level of energy needed to power the club which is great for the environment.”

Another key feature of the new equipment is the way club members will be able to log onto the piece of equipment being used and track their performance.

Currently they insert their own gym key which then tracks usage. But the new kit extends that system so that members will be able to use their smartphones to log on via Quick Response (QR) codes or Near Field Communication (NFC) technology.

After logging in to Unity, the interactive console on the ARTIS equipment, the user will be able to access his or her own training programme, training records, web bookmarks, apps and social networks.

This means users will be able to access their personal data and training programme anywhere in the world via Technogym’s cloud-based computer platform.

They can also upload other outdoor activities such as a bike ride, run, hill walk or team sport so that all physical exercise is logged, allowing theclub’s members to have a complete overview of their physical activity levels and wellness progress, in or outside the gym.

Jason added: “The prevalence of smart phones has opened up the way people live their lives and by allowing them to manage their work out and training programme via this sort of technology is a great step forward.

“The boundaries for this new wave of health club equipment are almost endless and for our members to upload other activity and use other Technogym equipment anywhere in the world will help our instructors manage members’ programmes much more closely.”

For further information on theclub at Cadbury House, visit theclubandspabristol.co.uk.

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Jason Eaton, general manager at theclub