Green Workout Tips

Here are some ways to be green while working out and keeping fit. Please add your own ideas to the list so we can all share.

• Skip the gym and head outdoors for a walk, run, bike ride, or other outdoor activity. Instead of increasing your energy consumption by using exercise machines at home or at the gym you could increase your body’s energy by re-discovering nature and fresh air.
• Use energy to create energy through your exercise equipment at home. A lot of families are looking for ways to cut back on bills and energy consumption. Consider building or buying a bicycle generator and generate electricity for your home while exercising. Detailed plans for bike generators can be found here: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/bike-generator-generate-electricity-while-you-exercise.html
• Use exercise as your mode of transportation by biking, walking, or rollerblading to work and other places. It’ll save you fuel and help you build and maintain a healthy body as well as lower stress.
• If you do head to the gym be sure to bring your own towel and cut down on the amount of laundry the gym has to do.
• Forget about bottled water and sports drinks for your workout and invest in a re-usable stainless steel drink container. Stainless steel is a better option than plastic bottles because you reduce your risk of ingesting dissolved plastic and harmful chemicals and your drink will taste better and stay cooler for longer.
• Car pool to the gym with a few workout buddies and you’ll be saving fuel and adding incentive. People are more likely to stick to an exercise schedule if they have friends to encourage them and go through it with them.
• Ditch the cleaning lady, the landscaper and snow removal. Everyday household tasks, and maintenance, add up to a lot of physical activity that you’re paying someone else to do for you instead of reaping the rewards yourself. Even something as small as vacuuming can add up to a significant amount of physical activity if you do it a few times a week instead of hiring someone to do it for you.