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Sustainable Workout Habits

Whether you exercise at a gym or at home, there are plenty of ways to make your workout habits more eco-friendly.

Ditch electric machinery

Ditch the treadmill and complete your cardio routine outside. (Photo by Profivdeos)

The average treadmill emits 110 pounds of carbon dioxide annually if used two and a half hours per week, which is the government recommendation. Instead, complete your cardio workout outside by biking, hiking or mapping your own running route.

Buy sustainable workout clothing

Buy workout clothing from brands like Sundried that are partnered with Low Carbon Innovation Fund to ensure they have the smallest carbon footprint possible. You can also try BAM clothing made from biodegradable bamboo cotton.

Resell or donate old gym items

Donate your athletic shoes to your local Nike store. (Photo by Michal Jeník)

Sell and buy gently-used gym equipment to cut down on waste. You can also donate used athletic shoes to Nike to be ground up and repurposed.

Workout at home

The average passenger vehicle emits around 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide every year. Cut down on greenhouse gas emission and workout at home with items you already have as substitute weights.

Showering after the gym

Reduce unnecessary plastic packaging by using bar soap, shampoo and conditioner. (Photo by kohnrebecca0)

              A standard shower head uses 2.5 gallons of water every minute. After your workout, take a shower in 10 minutes or less. Freshen up with bar soap and bar shampoo and conditioner, made with eco-friendly ingredients and no packaging. You can also use bar deodorant that contains essential oils instead of aluminum.