THE University of Brighton is backing the first gym in the country which uses fitness equipment to generate power.
Ringmer-based Eco Gym converts human energy to utility-grade electricity while clients exercise.
Some 74 per cent of energy produced is fed back into the grid.
The gym also uses energy-saving lighting and low water consumption showers.
Eco Gym is among the first enterprises to benefit from grants from the university’s Green Growth Platform which supports green-sector businesses.
A spokesman for Eco Gym said: “We are taking the EcoGym concept across the country.
“LoCASE and the Green Growth Platform have helped us get really helpful specialist advice on developing our business model and protecting our intellectual property.”
The Platform is part of the European Regional Development Fund’s Low Carbon Across the South East (Locase) business grant programme.
The programme provides grants and business support to low carbon small and medium-sized enterprises to help them grow and develop new products and services.
It also provides grants and free environmental audits to any type of SME to help improve their environmental performance such as reducing energy costs.
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