Challenge Yourself Get Fit and Get Green This Summer

Whether you prefer to exercise outdoors or inside, you can a more eco-friendly workout.

We all think about that extra donut or lap we didn’t run when it’s time for swimsuit season. If you are ready to hit the gym, consider your options to go green while working out.

Carry a reusable water bottle whatever your workout plan is to start. At most gyms, you can refill it at water stations. Plus, bottled water is 560 times more expensive than tap water. Get a filter, save yourself money, and stay hydrated.

There are multiple workout options for free that are outdoors. This tip is one I prefer to follow in the spring or fall because of the humidity in Georgia, but summer offers families an opportunity to get healthy together outside. Take advantage of a hiking trail or a nice park for your workout. You can even start up a game with your family such as frisbee, tag, or tennis. The vitamin D you’ll get is an added bonus to the calories you’ll burn.

Try out plogging! Plogging is a combination activity of jogging and picking up litter. The jogging gets your heart-rate up and gives you a cardio workout. If you do a lunge to pick up litter, you can get a leg workout in as well! This exercise transforms your body and your town.

When it is time to hit the gym, lessen the impact of your transportation. If you are close enough, try biking or walking there to get started on your work-out early. You can also get a workout buddy! A friend can help keep you motivated to go while also cutting down on your emissions by carpooling with you. If you are heading to brave the gym alone, make sure you aren’t using your car as a storage unit. By keeping your car clean, you decrease its weight and so decrease how much gas it takes for you to get to and from the gym.

If you need some equipment for a home workout, look in thrift stores first. Often (particularly around six weeks after people make their new year’s resolutions) you can find second-hand weights, treadmills, and more. Check each piece or equipment to make sure it is functional and safe. This is a great way to cut down on extra items in the landfill and save money on your workout routine.

You need to wipe down equipment after you use it, but the wipes needed can add up on your waste each time you work out. If you do a mat workout or a yoga routine, bring along your own anti-bacterial spray comprised of 3 parts white vinegar, 1 part warm water, and 8-12 drops of essential oil and wipe the mat down with a reusable towel afterward. If you would like to do a similar routine with the machines, talk to your gym managers first for approval.

Don’t forget your phone at home! Download Charity Miles on your phone to log walks, runs, and bike rides. The app uses your GPS system or pedometer to log your miles and then donates to a charity of your choice for each workout. To be extra green consider choosing the Nature Conservancy, an organization that focuses on environmental efforts and helps locally each year with the Conasauga River Watershed Cleanup.

After your workouts, take a short shower. Each minute that you spend in the shower two gallons flow through the drain. Stay fresh, but limit how long you are in there. Five to ten minutes is a good goal to aim for after your workout.

By making simple changes or trying out fun new activities or apps, you can save money and make your workout greener. You can keep yourself and the planet healthy.