How to Make Your Workout More Green

Working out is crucial to a healthy life, and it’s not something we should miss. However, for those of us concerned about saving the planet, working out can be just another minefield of choices that can be bad for the environment. The good news is there are some tactics you can use to make sure your exercise routine is as green as possible and good for the planet, as well as good for you. Read on to find out what they are.

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Invest in a metal water bottle 

Staying hydrated while you are working out is essential. However, choosing a plastic bottle to store your water, even a reusable one can be incredibly bad for the environment. After all, plastic makes a whole lot of pollutants and toxins during the manufacturing process, not to mention the fact that chemicals leach from it as it’s being used! 

With that in mind opting for a metal water bottle is so much better both for you and the environment at large. Indeed, water bottles made from stainless steel are not only totally recyclable, so when you are done using them they can be made into something else, but they don’t corrode either. 

Choose plant-based supplements 

Many of us use supplements to get the best out of our workouts. But what if we are looking for one that not only gives us the results we want but is better for the environment as well? 

Happily, there is a solution to this, and is to check out STEEL, and other supplement retailers that offer delicious plant-based varieties. Indeed, as you probably already know, eating a plant-based diet is far better for the environment because plants require fewer resources such as water to reach maturity. The good news is that now you can apply this thinking to your workout supplements too.

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Buy from ethical fitness brands 

In recent years the availability of fitness clothing has increased, with many high street stores offering their own version, as well as plenty of online sellers getting in on the act as well. Of course, having the right clothing to workout in doesn’t just make you feel more confident during your exercise but can help boost performance too, especially if it has features like no-seam or sweat-wicking. 

However, a great deal of the activewear clothing that is available on the market, is not made with the good of the environment, or the people making it in mind. Indeed, it is often classified as a fast fashion which is terrible for the environment, as it not only creates a great deal of waste during the manufacturing process but also encourages consumers to discard clothing more quickly to stay in fashion. 

Therefore, if you are looking to make sure that your workout routine is as sustainable as possible, choosing activewear garments from ethical manufacturers is crucial. 

Plan your meals to cut food waste

Lastly, nutrition will always be a vital part of any fitness regime. After all, abs are made in the kitchen and not in the gym! However, just like any other type of eating plan, sustainable considerations need to be involved in your food choices. That means eating proximately a plant-based diet and planning your meals, so you have less waste. 

Work out outside 

Another simple way of greening your workout is to take it outside. Indeed, there is one major benefit for the environment to be gained in this way. It is that by taking your exercise session outside you will skip all the energy used to keep the lights, air-con, and other amenities at the gym. 

Then there are all the benefits that you will receive, such as working out in a more oxygenated atmosphere, which will make your workout easier and more effective. Then there are all the savings you will make from ditching your gym membership. After all, you can do just about any form of exercise outside in your yard, or local park, from resistance to running.

Leave no trace 

Of course, if you do decide to embrace working out in the great outdoors there are some things you need to remember if you want to minimize any damage to the environment. In particular, leaving no trace is a very important value to uphold when you are exercising outside. 

What this means is you recognize that the environment in which you are exercising is for all, and not just solely for the purpose of your workout. Therefore you will try to do no harm, or make any major changes to this environment, even if they would be helpful for your workout. 

A good example of this is sticking to paths on hiking trails and in parks. Additionally, making sure that you take your rubbish like energy gel packets with you rather than discarding them along the route of your run, can help. 

Minimize your electricity usage at the gym 

If you truly love the gym or its the most convenient way of staying fit, then there are some strategies you can use to ensure that you stay as eco-friendly as possible. The most effective of these is to use equipment that requires no electricity, such as the free weights. 

Although, if you do wish to use the bikes, or the running, rowing or elliptical machines be sure to choose a workout program that gives you the most intense workout over the shortest amount of time. For example, if you are on the treadmill choosing to run at an incline will increase the intensity of your workout so you can use the machine for less time and so save electricity as you work out. 

Don’t drive to the gym 

Lastly, one of the easiest ways of greening your workout is to walk or bike to the gym. The good thing is that by doing this you will be burning more calories, warming up, and making your workout more effective. All while saving the planet!