The Spectrum Leisure Complex in Willington will be installing the first cardio system that turns human energy into useable power in the UK.

The Green System by SportsArt Fitness UK, launched at LIW 2012, will be installed at the centre, which is run by a community development trust.

The SportsArt Green System uses a pod of elliptical trainers and cycles, attached to an inverter, that harnesses human-generated power from the exerciser and feeds this back into the power grid as useable energy.

This energy can then be used to save money in energy costs. SportsArt claim it is the first solution of its kind for health club owners who want to offset power costs by freely harnessing human energy.

A spokesperson for the Spectrum Leisure Complex said: “We strive to provide innovation in the way that we operate and constantly look to reduce our carbon footprint where feasible. The new SportsArt Green System provides the technology to assist us in supporting the environment plus the community we serve.”