The long-term benefits of exercise are undeniable: better physical health and a longer happier life. A good workout can also give you a nice boost in energy, stress reduction, and most importantly, jeans that fit. Naturally, a healthy body goes hand in hand with a healthy planet. So how can you make sure that your exercise eco-footprint is as small as your waistline?
Take it outside
Going for a run, walk, or bike ride outdoors helps you rebuild your relationship with the natural world and your instinct to want to protect your natural environment. Being outside is good for you in many ways. It is a well-documented fact that people who get outside into natural light are calmer and happier.
Another good way to unwind and get your body moving is to find a class and some friends who want to join you for Tai chi or yoga in a park on the weekend. You will improve your social life and your body in the fresh morning air.
Unplug it
If you have no choice but to workout in a gym, make it a green experience. Get to the gym by taking low carbon public transportation or car-pooling. Remember that workout equipment that needs electricity has a carbon footprint, rather than being carbon neutral. Forego the big plastic, electricity-intensive treadmills and elliptical machines for resistance bands, a yoga mat, dumbbells and an exercise ball. This equipment has a much smaller eco-footprint.
If a good beat is critical to a good workout, let the sun’s renewable rays power up your iPod with a solar charger. But make sure to buy one with the right adaptors for your cell phone and other electronic gadgets too. Multi use products cut down on the need to buy more stuff and will save precious resources.
Green your gear
Cork yoga mats are generally a more sustainable choice because cork is harvested many times over from the same tree. Ask the mat supplier if the cork was sourced from a certified wood source like Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) which assures that the cork is harvested in a sustainable manner.
Also, pay attention to what you wear while you are working out and you can reduce your eco footprint. Green fitness clothing made from organic cotton, soy, hemp, and recycled fleece is comfortable and fashionable. In a world with a growing population and limited resources, clothes made from natural renewable fibers are healthier for our land, water and ultimately, for us.
The author, Kim Carlson is an eco-prenuer, author and radio host and known as TV’s Earthsmart Consumer.
Tags: adaptors, certified, charger, cork, council, electricity, elliptical, equipment, exercise, fitness, fleece, forest, FSC, gadgets, gear, gym, healthy, instinct, ipod, mats, power, rays, renewable, routine, social, stewardship, tai chi, transportation, treadmills, unplug, waistline, yoga
Commented by Georgi
Monday, September 6th 2010 at 14:53
We would love to see some pictures of the trees that we are contributing towards and buying for the rainforest. I know I purchased some and would love to see them planted. Need pics to help boost sales. We purchased them and put them in the name of ones who have passed.
Commented by admin
Tuesday, September 14th 2010 at 15:48
Georgi- Thank you for your support of Hello Green Tomorrow and the restoration of the Atlantic Rainforest. We are not able to pinpoint the location of specific trees and therefore cannot provide photos. For every $1.00, one tree is planted and restored by our partner, The Nature Conservancy, who is working with their Brazil-based team and local conservation partners to schedule the tree plantings over time and across varied geographic locations within the Atlantic Rainforest. They will follow the best standards of forest stewardship in order to ensure the long-term health of the forest and success of the restoration efforts, including the trees planted through your generosity. We invite you to click here to learn more: http://www.hellogreentomorrow.com/faq#replanting