Human-Powered River Gymnasiums

The River Gym concept is a human-powered floating gym that will provide the user with the one experience that no other gym can provide: floating your workout around Manhattan. Designed by architect Mitchell Joachim and personal trainer Douglas Joachim, this project could bring inspiration to both the morning commute and workout.

The concept is actually quite simple - harness all that human locomotion into energy to propel vessels along the Hudson and East Rivers, to several points across the city.

There is a significant amount of energy expended when going to the gym. Nothing wrong with that of course, other than the fact that all of it is spent in one place and, other than getting people fit, the energy is wasted. While we know of one gym that is trying to do something with that energy, we’re impressed by River Gym’s creative take on using that human power to tackle some transportation needs.

These River Gyms would travel circuitously along the Hudson and East Rivers. Fitted with onboard purification devices, they would help mitigate water pollution. Equally as significant, they would ease the transportation burdens on various ferry lines and carry volunteering commuters in tow. The benefit of extra passengers increases the vessels’ mass and amplifies the intensity of the exercise. Along the edges of each river body a modest docking facility would serve members as a point of departure with lockers, a reception desk, health food kiosks, etc. The idea is that you can easily access your River Gym vessel to travel to and from multiple points in the city.

The notion of transforming wasted human mechanical energy into a useful kinetic gymnasium is unique. The multiple benefits of increased transportation, water purification, caloric energy expenditure, and superior changing views is invigorating. Our proposal is intended to redefine the urban gym in a cost effective and environmentally friendly manner. This is the kind of munificent vision for which the great city of New York is renowned.

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