Working out is good. We all know that. But an eco-friendly workout is not only good for your mind, body and spirit, it’s also good for the planet
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Adopting a workout habit is a challenge. Making your workout eco-friendly might seem like an insurmountable obstacle. But there are many ‘life hacks’ you can employ to achieve your best physical performance without leaving a significant carbon footprint.
Here are some useful tips to make your workout environmentally-friendly:
1. Buy Brands of Clothing Made from Recycled Materials
Unless you have been living under a rock, you know that there is a whole industry out there dedicated to the production of sportswear. In keeping with modern sensibilities, many of these brands are altering their way of producing clothes by officially going green with sustainable manufacturing practices and innovative materials.
For example, you can turn to brands such as Rockay, which strives to use recycled materials (including ocean plastic) in fashioning quality running wear which meets the highest safety standards — especially regarding flame resistance. Patagonia is another leading eco-friendly brand of climbing accessories and outerwear for those of you that like to partake in mountaineering activities in the grand outdoors (or the urban jungle).
If you are practicing yoga, Suga mats are renowned for being constructed of eco-friendly materials. You can also take a look at products from the United by Blue brand (which prioritizes recyclability as part of their craft process), and Shift to Nature.
You also have an option to turn to more recognizable brands that have also embraced a green agenda, such as Adidas which has decided to lead by example by repurposing plastic waste into solid materials for their special lines of clothing and shoes.
Of course, once your eco-wear wears out, dispose of it at a recycling center as opposed to tossing it in the trash. That way, your clothing can be repurposed yet again.
2. Adopt Eco-Friendly Practices
Embrace the great outdoors — You don’t have to drive to the gym every day and poison your environment. In fact, you don’t have to go to an over air-conditioned gym at all. Instead, you can simply get into your green sportswear and hit the grassy fields of the closest park to do an exercise routine amidst the greenery that will do wonders for your immunity. This is an amazing option for people that practice yoga since you can pretty much do it anywhere you like as long as you bring your mat along.
Jog whenever you can — For thousands of years, humans had to rely on their own physical energy and their own two feet to hunt and gather. In that sense, we are quite literally designed by nature to move and run. Simply going out and jogging at a modest pace (or even power walking) will yield incredible benefits: You will sleep better, improve your circadian rhythm, promote the secretion of hormones that have a positive impact on your body, strengthen your muscles, and increase your endurance.
Workout at home — For specific training or comfort during inclement weather, you can always bring your workout home. There is so much you can do with a few pairs of weights, an exercise ball, and a yoga mat. Not only will you save time and money, you will also minimize your carbon footprint by not driving to the gym.
Own a reusable water bottle — One of the simplest green shifts you can make is to use a reusable water bottle. There are many brands, in both plastic (make sure they are BPA-free) and metal, and many come with attachments or harnesses to easily hold your hydration in place while you exercise. For longer treks on foot or bike, consider a lightweight hydration pack with a refillable bladder.
Bike everywhere — Use a bike to commute to work and dart around town. This will cut down your contribution to the local air pollution while adding more mileage to your daily cardio exercises. Biking is also undeniably convenient since you’ll never get stuck in traffic! Doing it even a few times a week makes a difference.
There is a myth that eco-friendly practices cost money. Quite the contrary. Pretty much anyone can adopt green habits and most of them will actually save you money in the long run. This is particularly true for eco-friendly workout practices, which additionally benefit the planet and foster a deeper connection to nature.
So, are you ready to re-think your fitness routine?
You may also enjoy our Best Self Yoga Flow for Flexibility and Relaxation by Carter Miles
