5 green hacks for fitness fanatics
Leave throwaway plastics on the shelf
We’re a culture that’s still obsessed with convenient, throwaway plastics. It’s estimated that globally we buy over 1 million plastic water bottles every minute (Euromonitor), a huge percentage of which will never be recycled. So, when it comes to choosing hydration and nutrition for your fitness regime, it’s best to leave the throwaway plastics on the shelf.
Instead of quenching your thirst with bottled water that you’ve bought on the way to the gym or during your run, bring along a refillable bottle (see our guide to our favourite BPA plastic free water bottles).
And, in place of a meal deal for your lunch at work, you could try preparing your own healthy food and transporting it in a reusable food box. These might just be little things, but they’re a great place to start.
Use the great outdoors as your gym
While using indoor exercise equipment can be the most comfortable way to train, it’s also a pricey way of running up an electricity bill.
As an alternative, why not take your regime into the great outdoors? This way, you’ll be making next to no environmental impact.
Plus, conditioning yourself to do cardio outdoors can be very beneficial once you’re over the initial difficulty spike, as you will exercise more of your muscle groups by taking on inclines and terrain that indoor gear can’t fully replicate.
“Nylon is a staple material of fitness clothes and, not only is it non-biodegradable, but it is also three times more energy intensive than cotton to produce”
Buy from ethical activewear brands
Throwaway high street fashion is an industry with a huge carbon footprint, and the activewear market is not dissimilar. For example, nylon is a staple material of fitness clothes and, not only is it non-biodegradable, but it is also three times more energy intensive than cotton to produce, according to Tortoise & Lady Grey.
However, by making careful and considered buying decisions, you can purchase your active wear from a label that cares. (Check out our ethical activewear round up – we’ve got both girls and guys covered).
Plus Good On You is an app that makes it very easy to track and buy from ethical brands that use sustainable materials and practices to manufacture their clothing, so it couldn’t be easier to quickly discover the greenest places to shop for fitness wear.
Switch to a zero-carbon commute
Do you often drive to work or take public transport when you could run or cycle? If the answer is yes, it’s probably worth thinking about how you could switch to a zero-carbon commute.
Not only will you be doing your bit and keeping your carbon footprint low, but you can improve your fitness levels at the same time.
Even if you’re not at the stage of your fitness regime where you could comfortably jog or bike to work, setting off a little earlier and walking to work is good exercise too. How often do you get your 10,000 steps a day?
Get plogging to make a real difference
It’s also possible to combine your exercise regime with a worthy cause.
Plogging is the latest fitness trend to come out of Scandinavia, and its premise is pretty simple: you jog, and you pick up litter — at the same time.
It’s the brainchild of Swedish fitness fanatics who wanted to match their eco-concerns with their passion for outdoor running, and it’s very easy to do with no special requirements.
Why not round up a few of your friends and found your own plogging club?
