The Future of Cardio IS Sustainable

Sustainability in fitness facilities is becoming a business necessity. Operators are under pressure to reduce operational costs, demonstrate eco-conscious practices, and optimize facility performance without sacrificing the member experience. 

At Life Fitness, we believe cardio equipment should be part of that solution. By integrating energy-saving technologies across our consoles and equipment lines, we help operators reduce power consumption, lower costs, and take meaningful steps toward a greener future. 

“When designing cardio equipment, we look for the optimal ways to balance sustainability and energy-savings while still creating exciting experiences for the exerciser with the latest technology. Additionally, we want each of our customers to be able customize our equipment based on their business needs, so features like auto on/off are important to us to let our customers decide what is best for their business."  - Katelyn O’Leary, Product Director, Aspire & Integrity Cardio Product Managment 

Why Energy Efficiency Matters for Operators 

Energy efficiency isn’t just about lowering the monthly utility bill.  Though that’s a significant benefit, it’s also about positioning your facility as forward-thinking and environmentally responsible. Choosing energy-saving cardio solutions can deliver three major advantages: 

1. Lower Energy Bills 

Energy-efficient designs reduce overall power draw, saving money every month. 

2. Reduced Operational Costs  

Less power consumed means fewer expenses across large equipment fleets. 

3. Smaller Carbon Footprint  

A visible commitment to sustainability helps facilities appeal to eco-conscious members and differentiate their brand. 

Smarter Consoles That Work Harder and Greener  

Our premium consoles, including the Symbio™ Console and the Discover SE4 , come standard with built-in features to help facilities manage energy consumption at scale. Whether on a single treadmill or across an entire cardio floor, operators can reduce waste and improve efficiency with two simple settings available in the Manager’s Configuration menu or through Facility Connect: 

• Power Saver Mode: After 30 minutes of inactivity, the console automatically dims to a low-power state to conserve energy, then instantly returns to full brightness when a user is detected. 
• Auto Off / Auto On: Facilities can program each console (or centrally via Facility Connect) to reduce brightness during off-peak times, then restore functionality during scheduled active periods and high-traffic hours. 

When multiplied across dozens of treadmills, ellipticals, and bikes, these small adjustments add up to meaningful energy savings and measurable cost reductions. For example, using conservative assumptions from the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s average commercial electricity rate of $0.12 per kWh¹, a facility with 50 units could save roughly 730 kWh or about $88 per year just from console brightness management alone. For multi-club operators with hundreds of units, the savings scale into the thousands annually. 

And those are only the console savings. When paired with innovations like the brushless DC motor and power factor correction in the Symbio Runner, facilities can compound their efficiency gains while extending equipment life. 

By combining intelligent console features with advanced engineering, Life Fitness gives operators a practical path to lowering costs, improving sustainability, and positioning their facility as a leader in eco-conscious operations. And with the Symbio Console, facilites also gain access to advanced performance metrics and upgraded software features, creating a member experience that is as data driven as it is energy efficient. 

The Role of Power Factor Correction 

Behind the console, technology plays an equally important role. One of the most impactful innovations is Power Factor Correction (PFC), especially in brushless DC (BLDC) motors like the one found in the Symbio Runner™. 

PFC improves the efficiency of electrical systems by ensuring power is used more effectively.  Think closer to a perfect score of 1 on the power factor scale. This means: 

• Lower energy consumption 
• Better electrical efficiency 
• Reduced heat and wear on components 
• Improved grid stability 

For operators, this translates into equipment that not only runs more efficiently but also lasts longer and reduces long-term maintenance costs. 

Why the Symbio Runner Leads in Efficiency 

The Symbio Runner™ represents the pinnacle of cardio sustainability. Powered by a best-in-class BLDC motor paired with optimized PFC circuitry, it delivers: 

• Precision speed control 
• Fast response to load changes 

Setting the Standard in Testing and Transparency 

Unlike many industries, the fitness industry lacks uniform standards for measuring power consumption. That’s why our electrical engineering team developed realistic, repeatable test protocols that reflect real-world conditions. 

By testing across our cardio portfolio, using standardized speeds and recording real-time data with oscilloscopes, we provide operators with accurate, transparent benchmarks for equipment energy use. 

Building Smarter, Greener Facilities 

As you now understand, energy-saving cardio isn’t just a trend. It’s considered a strategic advantage. Facilities that embrace sustainability with Life Fitness equipment reduce costs, extend equipment life, and strengthen their brand reputation in a competitive market. 

With innovations like Symbio Runner’s BLDC motor and PFC technology, along with practical energy-saving console settings, operators can take control of power consumption and make sustainability part of their operational DNA. 

Interested in learning how Life Fitness can help your facility reduce costs and embrace energy efficiency? Connect with our team to explore the right solutions for your space. 
 

_Sources: 

• _{U.S. Energy Information Administration. Electric Power Monthly: Average Price of Electricity to Ultimate Customers. Accessed September 2025.} 
• _{U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. ENERGY STAR® – Low Standby Power Products.}