How to Make Earth-Friendly Choices for Your Workout

When you think of Earth Day, you probably look at changes you can make to your purchasing habits or home cleaning routines. But did you know the way you exercise can impact the environment? If you are moved this April 22 to make positive changes to be a better steward of the earth, you have more options that you may realize:

For those who walk, run, bike, lift weights or otherwise pursue physical fitness as part of a health and wellness strategy, it’s simple to incorporate respect for the earth when working out. Decisions about where to exercise, how to get there and what to wear while doing so can demonstrate an earth-friendly ethos throughout the year.

With a little research and a little effort, fitness-minded consumers can don workout gear, use workout equipment and travel to workouts in an environmentally conscious manner.

“A lot of thought has been put into sustainability in the last decade, and it’s great to see,” Brian Lewis, owner of Hutch’s Bicycles in Bend, said in an email. “Especially on the apparel side of things, a lot of goods are made from recycled materials. Even packaging and the ink used on packaging has been revamped.” Lewis also mentioned tubeless tires. He called them a great innovation for the riding experience.

“The thousands (maybe millions) of tubes that are not produced and used,” he added, “is a huge win for the environment.” Chris Erxleben, store manager at Foot Zone in Bend, said recent developments with shoes reflect a growing awareness of sustainability. Brands such as On are looking into dope-dyeing technology for the uppers of shoes, a process that can drastically reduce water usage.

Hylo Athletics encourages consumers to, “Run like the world depends on it.” Hylo’s Impact shoe has a knitted upper made from bio-based nylon derived from castor beans. The company says its shoes are the “world’s cleanest” running shoes. Erxleben said Hylo’s shoes have “really good energy return” and are maintaining the same durability as traditional shoe foams. And there are other companies. Some of Rabbit running’s apparel, for example, is made using coffee grounds.

Are any of these companies going to dice it out with Nike and Adidas for top market share? Maybe not. But ensuring the public knows there are choices that support sustainability might be the first step. “I don’t think many people realize it’s an option,” Erxleben said. “Looking for products and brands that align with your sensibilities is important,” Lewis said. “Spending power prompts brands to adapt to what riders feel good about purchasing.”

Another option for earth-friendly workout gear is to go the reuse route. Many thrift stores have tops, shorts, pants and other apparel available. Similarly, a high-quality, properly assembled and inspected used bicycle can be a more environmentally responsible choice than a new ride.

For more Earth-friendly workout suggestions, click here.

We all have the opportunity every day to make decisions that are earth-friendly. With Earth Day around the corner, why not think about how your exercise routine could be adjusted? Little changes can have a big impact!