http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10-frugally-green-workout-tips.html
10 Frugally Green Workout Tips
By Linda LaRu, Intent
We all agree that we need to do a better job conserving our planet’s limited resources, but where do you begin? Here are 10 simple solutions that will help you get green into your workout routine without much effort at all. These eco-friendly changes are easy switches that will save you time and lots of money! How awesome and easy is that?
1. Curb your consumerism. Buy less active wear, expensive running shoes and/or fad, workout gizmos (that you know are NOT quick-fixes for proper exercise and diet). You’ll leave a smaller carbon footprint and leave more money in your wallet too.
2. Recycle your water/sports bottles. Buy a recyclable water bottle instead of plastic one-use water bottles. Recyclable water bottles will save you big bucks in the long run, as most designer waters are very expensive. Many individual 16-ounce designer waters that include minerals and vitamins are now over $2.00 a bottle. These outrageously overpriced waters are unnecessary, as you can obtain all your vitamins and minerals by eating a sensible diet along with taking a daily multivitamin. Did you know that according to the Container Recycling Institute only 23% of plastic bottles are recycled in the US? 38 billion plastic bottles go into landfills in the US each year. Plastic bottles take up to 1000 years to biodegrade. I recommend these two recyclable water bottle companies: Sigg and Klean Kanteen.
3. Use biodegradable body products. Buy biodegradable body wash and shampoo in bulk, which will save you money and decrease bottle use. Then, fill them into smaller, personal-use size reusable bottles. Most major discount retailers sell biodegradable body wash and shampoo in bulk and oftentimes run brand-name specials.
4. Join a neighborhood gym that’s within walking distance to where you work and/or live. You’ll be supporting the local economy and saving car gas emissions and costly parking fees.
5. If the weather is fine, walk outside it’s free. Did you know that out of all motorized pieces of fitness equipment, treadmills use the most energy?
Next: Tips 6-10
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19 comments
add your comment »Look up free stuff on craigslist or freecycle in your area. I was able to get a balance ball and hand weights free just for asking from freecycle. I also rescued a "step" from someone throwing theirs away. This is how I created my home gym.
No treadmill for me. I walk outdoors in the morning so it's cooler and the air is better! :o)
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Thanks Robyn
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Thanks !!!
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I live on the "garden level" of an old church. My workout consists of "doing the church" -- that's up three flights of stairs, then going from the south side to the north side (almost a city block!), back downstairs, then back across to the south side -- total is 1/4 mile, so if I do it 8 times, that's 2 miles. Only equipment is my iPod....
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Another thing not mentioned in here is try to get your workout done in the morning, that way your only taking 1 shower a day instead of several, leading to major water waste!
Or here's a cool video about how to hook up your bicycle to create electricity in your own home! http://tinyurl.com/lf7vr5
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thanks...
Kabin
Konteyner
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thank you...
Kabin
Konteyner
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vegan shop here at care2 http://my.care2.com/veganstuff
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Other people have said this, but please don't skimp on running shoes. Not only will cheap ones wear out faster, leading to more waste (not eco-friendly at all), but it is more than likely they will lead to discomfort and injury. I tried using shoes that were not high quality and fitted properly to my foot, and I got a nasty case of tendinitis in my ankle. Going green is not always about going cheap! Often good quality, long lasting products end up being more eco-friendly in the long run.
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Body products are not necessarily "green" just because they are bio-degradable. It is important also to consider if they contain chemicals (the creation of which, will have caused global warming)if they contain animal products -- some do!, and if they contain palm oil -- the number one reason for destroying the rain forests, after cattle and fodder production. To get really pure body products that do not harm the environment, look on the Naturewatch website.
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