Green EnergyEnergy that fits in with the ecosystem

Is it possible to power a small apt building with wattage generated by a healthclub?

I work in a small store front gym in a large city, and we have 3 floors of residential apartments above us. I was wondering if it’s possible to harness the energy produced by the members using our cardiovascular equipment, and then turn it into usable power for the residents above us. The thought is part of a larger picture, building 3-story apt. buildings with healthclubs on the first floor, where the building is totally powered by the output of the gym patrons. Not only would this provide an alternative to oil-dependency, it might help with that whole obesity thing that we seem to be suffering in this country. Maybe gym membership would be complimentary to residents, or utility bills would be variable, depending on the amount of time spent in the gym, working out. What do you think?
addendum: so how do we get greater wattage from the equipment? And what about combining the idea with solar panels, like one of the other answers suggested?

I think it is an excellent idea, lets see…
A person (150 #) on a stationary bicycle using moderate exertion would expect to burn 450 cal in one hour which is really 450,000 cal in the real world which translates to 523 W-hr or approx 0.5 kWh. If the bike is hooked up to a generator there would be mechanical losses assume 80% eefficiency. The amount of energy you could harness is .4 kWh . If you had all 20 bikes running all the time for 10 hours per day you would harness 80 kWh per day. At 13 cents per kWh you can expect to make a maximum of $10.40 per 10 hour day .

That with all the bikes going all day (which is unlikely!). Now all those generators would cost money. There would be safety concerns with the electricals, and maintenance.

The amount it would cost verses the amount you can get back does not balance.

Excellent idea though it doesn’t make cents, keep thinking!

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