Upgrading to a Greener Workout

Due to the wonderful response from our readers the last time we wrote a post about a green workout routine, we decided to revisit the subject - with some tweaks here and there, of course!

We believe that going green is more than just a fad; it's a necessity. Greener choices and making changes lead to an overall improvement in your health and lifestyle. Which is why, more than focusing on green workout products, today we want to provide you with options that help provide  more flexible, feasible ways that you can upgrade to a greener workout.

Utilize the Great Outdoors.

 When nature and fitness are brought together, the benefits and possibilities are endless. The fresh air gives you a boost of energy, the sun produces vitamin D which is good for your too! Whether you run, jog or cycle, being outside gives you an opportunity to shake things up - you can explore new areas, challenge yourself by hitting hills and mountains, all while interacting with your community.

Maximise Your Home Space.

 Need a change of pace? Outdoors not really speaking to your fitness drive? Why not set up a workout station at home? A lot of exercise routines only require minimal space and can be bought online, watched via a DVD or even found on YouTube! Working out at home not only leaves a significantly smaller carbon footprint than say, driving your SUV to the gym and back, it is also convenient and cost-effective.

Flock Together.

 Exercise with your friends. This allows you to have more input about your progress and gives you more time to hang out too. Sign up for a marathon race or join a sports team. Share your equipment and carpool to the park or sports ground!

Fill Your (Tummy) Tank.

Fuel up on sustainable food. Protein bars and processed shakes are full of sugar and preservatives. You can get all the nutrients your body needs straight from the farmer's market. This means not only do you support the local produce, you also cut down on environmental waste. Tips: Bananas ease muscle cramps, cherries help combat soreness, free range eggs give you protein and spinach is good for muscle building antioxidants.

 

Have any ideas on how else you can upgrade to a greener workout? Let us know, we'd love to hear from you!

 

 

Staying Lean While Keeping It Green

Happy Wednesday, everyone! We really enjoyed sharing our DIY pampering recipes with you all last night, so tonight we’re carrying on the path to health and happiness. Did you know that your daily workout is another lifestyle area where you can make earth-friendly changes? There are countless eco-savvy ways to get in your daily dose of physical fitness. Here are some of our favorite tips for energizing your exercise with a green boost:

Take it outside whenever you can.
Instead of increasing your energy consumption via home and gym exercise machines, take advantage of hiking and biking trails in your area. One big advantage to the great outdoors - it’s 100% free and always interesting! If you don’t fancy going solo, invite a friend or two and take in some quality time as well.

Inspire a green makeover at your health club or gym.
If the great outdoors just aren’t for you, consider encouraging your gym to make some eco-friendly upgrades. Make sure your club offers recycling bins and energy efficient machines, and remind the staff to ask patrons to limit their towel usage.

Car pool to your local gym with a friend or neighbor.
Not only does carpooling cut down on your fuel costs and usage, but having a gym buddy is an instant incentive to keep up with your fitness goals and resolutions. For extra support, consider joining a soccer, volleyball, or kickball league in your neighborhood. No one to car pool with? Your bike is another great way to get where you’re going and warm up for your workout at the same time.

Dress the part.
Looking for some new workout clothing or gear? Organic cotton and bamboo threads are a great place to start for sweat-friendly green fabrics. For eco-conscious equipment choices, check the web or a local sporting goods shop for great deals on secondhand bikes and weights.

Give in to the bottle.
The water bottle that is! Move on from one-time use plastic water bottles. It’s time to commit to using refillable water bottles for workouts and everyday hydration. Using a refillable bottle means less waste in landfills and more money in your wallet.

Get creative with your workout routine.
It’s not always easy to find time to head to the gym or commit to an after-work jogging schedule. Try to throw in an extra walk or bike ride during your lunch break for a calorie-burning boost. Another great way to supplement your gym routine: Try knocking out some house or yard work by attacking the job with gusto! Shoveling snow, raking leaves, vacuuming and dusting can be great activities for burning off a greasy business lunch or the sins of the weekend roasts and barbecues. Do you have more ideas on how to stay lean and keep it green? We would love to hear from you. In the meantime, stay fit, happy and healthy the Green Cleaners way!