How to make your gym routine more eco friendly

Many people are opting for a more eco-friendly lifestyle, from making changes to their gym-clothing consumption choices, to eating less meat (or becoming vegan), amongst many other things.

We appreciate that it can be a daunting thought for someone that is an avid gym-goer whilst also wanting to live within sustainable confines. However, don’t worry, you’re not alone – and we’re here to help.

Eco friendly gym routine tips

Through many years of working out, whilst doing so with the mindset of an eco-friendly gym warrior, we have collated some top tips and advice to keep yourself fit and sustainable at the same time, below;

Jog or cycle to the gym

If you live within a 5 mile radius of your gym then you should ditch the car and opt for a jog or cycle to it. This is the perfect warm-up for any good session and will leave you ready and raring to go as soon as you arrive.

Use natural deodorant

Ditch the chemical-heavy roll-on deodorants and aerosol cans that are full of plastic waste and CO2 gasses – not to mention their ability to block your pores and irritate your skin. Choose a sumptuously smelling natural deodorant to keep you fresh – we’ve put together a list of the best eco-friendly deodorants here.

Wear sustainable gym clothing

Don’t get caught up in the consumerist nature of fast-fashion, start making sustainable gym clothes choices, from trainers, shorts and vests – there is a plethora of high-quality eco-friendly gym clothing to choose from. The main thing to look out for is non-synthetic materials like polyester and nylon, instead choose organic cotton and bamboo threads – if in doubt read the label or ask the shop or brand you are buying the clothes from (or email us at hello@ecofriendlychange.com).

Take an eco-friendly gym bag

Pack all your essential items that you take to the gym – from reusable water bottles, to a change of clothes – in a sustainably made gym-bag. Look out for bags that are made from organic cotton canvas, or using recycled plastic material. We’ve collated a list of the best eco-friendly gym bags here.

Use a sustainably made gym towel

Whether you take a towel with you to the gym for use in the shower after your workout, or for using to mop your brow during a heavy session: use a sustainably made towel.

Alike eco friendly gym clothes and bags, look out for towels that are made using organic cotton as they contain less harmful chemicals when producing them. Check out our list of the best eco friendly gym towels there are to buy.

Drink from a reusable water bottle

If you haven’t got one already, purchase a reusable water bottle. It goes without saying the amount of plastic used to make plastic water bottles is hugely harmful for our planet – one quick stat which highlights how bad plastic water bottles are;

It takes nearly 2000 times more energy to make a plastic bottle then it does to fill a bottle up using tap water

Practice yoga with a sustainably made mat

You don’t need to leave the house to practice yoga, and if that’s what you enjoy doing then use an eco-friendly yoga mat. Look out for mats that are made from sustainable harvested natural tree rubber and natural jute (like those made by Complete Unity Yoga), or mats made using recycled materials.

Join an eco-friendly gym

As more people become eco-conscious, gym-owners are adapting their business models and creating workout spaces which are aptly suited. ‘Green’ or ‘Eco’ gyms are now popping up in many cities around the world – with features such as electric powered by cycle classes, eco insulated walls to keep electric consumption down, and banning all plastics from the premises.

The Washington Post has written this insightful article on what to look out for: Gyms are going ‘green,’ but are they actually eco-friendly? Here’s what to look for.

Build a home gym or use your bodyweight

If you have the available space at your home, have you considered making your very own eco-gym? There are many cardio machines on the market that can be connected to, and power, your main electric supply, or you could use recycled weight equipment.

Alternatively, use bodyweight exercises to build muscle at home e.g. do tricep dips with your hands on a chair, bicep curls with bags filled with books, or push ups using a bench!

Choose plant-based protein supplements

Many avid gym-goers aim to consume a high-protein diet to aid muscle growth and recovery. Whether you’re vegan or not, the best eco-friendly type of protein supplement to take is the plant-based or vegan-friendly versions – as they are produced with ingredients that are less harmful to the planet and thus reduce CO2 emissions and water usage in the process.

There is a wide-range of eco friendly changes you can make to your gym routine and these are just a few of them that should be a good starting place to help you on your journey.

If you have any eco friendly gym products, or a sustainable content idea that you would like us to feature on the site, email us with your details: hello@ecofriendlychange.com