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Italian firm Carlo Ratti Associati came up with a brilliant way to inspire people to exercise more. They designed a boat that uses human energy to sail down the Seine River in Paris.
The boat is 65-feet-long (20-meter long) and holds up to 45 people. “The Paris Navigating Gym investigates the potential of harnessing human power,” Carlo Ratti said. “It’s fascinating to see how the energy generated by a workout at the gym can actually help to propel a boat. It provides one with a tangible experience of what lies behind the often abstract notion of ‘electric power’.” It’s still in development, but the designers estimate that it could be completed in 18 months.
The Paris Navigating Gym works by converting the pedal power into utility grade electricity. However, if there won’t be enough passengers on-board to run the ship, it will be able to use renewable energy sources, like the photovoltaic cells on its roof. One more reason to visit Paris!
More info: carloratti.com (h/t: inhabitat)
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What do you think ?
Intensive Panda 7 years ago
I wonder what happens if only lazy ppl like me get on the boat and an half hour later like "meh, enoght for today". Will they be doomed to stay onfloat?))))
Troux 7 years ago
There is already a mechanical version of that in the Tampa area - as well as a land version that cruises the streets like a big bicycle - except they are small pubs, not gyms. It's much easier to get people to drink than to coordinate their workouts! I don't see how this proposed version could send excess power into the grid, though. CascadeCyc...20b46d.jpg 
Dracule Mihawk 7 years ago
Interesting idea and a nice view. Hopefully it won't be too expensive to work out in this gym.
Hans 7 years ago
Energy in excess would be sent to the grid? The idea is intriguing, but it would be good to see actual figures for this. Propelling a boat for a half-decent speed required quite some energy already! I guess this is rather a marketing than an environmentalist idea. (Which is by no means bad, just to mention that.)
Alexandra Lee 7 years ago
I can assure you the blonde girl with the stylish yoga pants is not biking.
Gabriel Denis 7 years ago
So will it run on a buckle or you would enter on one point (side, even) and get out on another ?
Doug Stringham 7 years ago
This is really great. Though showing up and being the only one that makes class that day = Epic Workout
Intensive Panda 7 years ago
I wonder what happens if only lazy ppl like me get on the boat and an half hour later like "meh, enoght for today". Will they be doomed to stay onfloat?))))
Troux 7 years ago
There is already a mechanical version of that in the Tampa area - as well as a land version that cruises the streets like a big bicycle - except they are small pubs, not gyms. It's much easier to get people to drink than to coordinate their workouts! I don't see how this proposed version could send excess power into the grid, though. CascadeCyc...20b46d.jpg
Dracule Mihawk 7 years ago
Interesting idea and a nice view. Hopefully it won't be too expensive to work out in this gym.
Hans 7 years ago
Energy in excess would be sent to the grid? The idea is intriguing, but it would be good to see actual figures for this. Propelling a boat for a half-decent speed required quite some energy already! I guess this is rather a marketing than an environmentalist idea. (Which is by no means bad, just to mention that.)
Alexandra Lee 7 years ago
I can assure you the blonde girl with the stylish yoga pants is not biking.
Gabriel Denis 7 years ago
So will it run on a buckle or you would enter on one point (side, even) and get out on another ?
Doug Stringham 7 years ago
This is really great. Though showing up and being the only one that makes class that day = Epic Workout
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