Bringing Sustainability Into Your Workouts

Sustainability is rightly a hot topic of conversation right now.

Re-usable or compostable straws, shopping bags, and cutlery have started to revolutionize the way we shop and eat.

For sustainability to become impregnated in our culture, it needs to become embedded in every aspect of our daily life - including our workouts.

Are you trying to be more mindful of sustainability?

Check out these 5 eco-minded fitness tips:

Shot by Sean Swann

Outfit by Femme Luxe Finery Loungewear

Use a reusable water bottle 

In the US, 1500 plastic water bottles are purchased every second. Although it’s an obvious one, using a reusable bottle rather than buying a plastic one from your gym or the supermarket can help to save millions of bottles from going to landfills each year. There are literally thousands of different reusable bottles out there from insulated metal bottles that keep your drinks cool for hours, to giant gallon water bottles that will quench your thirst throughout even the sweatiest of sessions. And while we’re on the topic of reusable water bottles, try using your own cup for your Starbucks and other beverages too. 

Be mindful of your gear

Foam rollers, resistance bands, and yoga mats, etc. are often made from plastics. As sustainability grows within the health and fitness sector, more brands have emerged with eco-friendly alternatives using recycled materials. If you’re in the market for some new gear, then make a mindful decision to look for an eco-friendly yoga mat or resistance bands made from recycled rubber rather than latex. These simple swaps may seem insignificant alone, but they soon add up, and it is essential to support businesses that are trying to emerge in the sustainability sector.

Shot by Dark Matter Photography

Shop for sustainable clothing 

Athleticwear is no longer only worn for workouts but has a huge athleisure following too, which has broken athletics wear brands into mainstream fashion. Like most fashion industry clothing, athletics wear is often made unethically and unsustainably in third-world countries. To break this mold, it is vital to look for sustainable clothing brands that use fair trade and ethical labor practices to create clothing from natural and recycled fibers. Some sustainable athletics clothing brands to consider include Organic Basics, REI, and Threads For Thought o name but a few. 

Adjust your diet

Although we’re not here to tell you to go vegan, there’s no doubt that a plant-based diet is the most sustainable of all. Even just incorporating two or three plant-based days into your diet per-week will not cut your carbon emissions and will also help you to reach your fitness goals, by filling your diet with an abundance of healthy plant-based whole foods. When shopping for supplements and protein powders, you may also want to look for vegan or plant-based formulas as these often have far lower emissions and less impact on the plant. 

Use things longer or repurpose unwanted items

I try not to buy trendy items that only will stay in style for a season. (Remember those impractical bell bottom leggings that you tripped on your mat with?) With Pilates, I like my leggings to stay up at the waist and crop at the ankle. If my leggings wear out I can use them as pajamas or to laze arounf=d the house in- or use them in place of a theraband. Ripped tees can be cut up and used to wipe down yoga mats with.

So there you have it - five simple ways to bring sustainability into your workout.

Are you trying to be more eco-minded?

Let me know what you’re doing to become more sustainable in the comments