Spring is in full swing, the weather is beautiful and bikini season is here! Regardless of you fitness level, you have probably noticed the rise of eco-concious living. This season embrace the green revolution as you get fit and reduce your impact on the planet.
There are many green businesses that provide organc fitness equipment, clothing and supplies that won't break the bank. These seven tips will help you and the earth to get greener and lighter!
1. Sweat green. Breaking a sweat means that you're working out hard-so dry off with an absorbent, organic cotton towel from Eco-bags. They even have eco-friendly totes that make great gym bags.
2. Recycle and re-hydrate. 1.5 billion barrels of oil are used nationally in the U.S. in plastic bottles and 90% are never recycled. Don't buy a new water bottle every time you go to the gym-bring your own like the trendy, dishwasher safe, recycled choices at Sigg.
3. Clean green. If you are lucky enough to have a home gym, don't forget to clean your equipment in an environmentally safe manner. Try these super cleaning, biodegradable wipes form Shakelee.
4. Go local and organic. Fresh fruits and vegetables provide the body with vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. Local and organic markets sell produce that haven't been treated with harmful chemicals. Get adventurous and check out your farmer's market.
5. Get your foot off of the gas. Driving to and from the gym releases unnecessary gaseous emissions into our environment. Warm-up and cool down by jogging or walking to and from the gym. If you must drive, try to carpool with a buddy.
6. Great green garb. Eco-friendly workout attire can be quite snazzy. Check out bamboo/soy clothing from Sahalie and organic footwear from Garmont.
7. If the shoe doens't fit...Recycle your old sneakers with Nike's Reuse-a-Shoe program. Nike recycles the rubber, foam and fabric for indoor and outdoor ahtletic fields and weight rooms.
8. Harness the sun. Power up your gadgets with solar panels and messaenger bags from Reware. Easily recharge you iPod and other small electronic gadgets while you hike outdoors.
9. Crunch green. Recharge your body with organic energy snacks like Clif Nectar bars and indulgent raw bars from Raw Revolution.
10. Take it outside. Save energy that's wasted powering a treadmill (and the air conditioning that's used to cool you) by execising outdoors. The fresh air is feels great and you'll burn more calories by exercising on changing terrain. Ask your spouse, friend, pet or trainer to join you for even more fun!
BONUS TIP: Powered by you. New technology in Hong Kong is taking eletricity out of the treadmill and putting it back in the wall. Italian designer Lucien Gambarota's Motorwave Ltd, harnesses the sweat of treadmill runners and converts it to usable energy. Electricity-generating treadmills should hit gyms in the U.S. by 2008.
Hope you all are inspired! Now get out there and get green and get fit!
Larysa
