Green Exercise Shouldn’t Cost The Earth
If you’ve ever taken out a gym membership and not used it fully, then you’ll know that sometimes, those monthly fitness memberships can be a waste of money.
While it’s good to save money, you still need to exercise to stay healthy. That’s where green exercise comes in.
Because your exercise routine shouldn’t cost the Earth.
The good news is that there are easy ways to save money – and the planet – with green exercise. (This is one instance where you can have your cake and eat it too!).
Here are 3 easy tips for green exercise.
Green Exercise Tip #1 – Ditch the Gym, Get Outside
Exercising outside gives you the benefits of fresh air and sunshine (not to mention loads of vitamin D).
Oh, and there’s no monthly membership fee.
Additionally, it’s often more convenient. You can often leave your home and be on your bicycle, running or walking in seconds.
Looking around you and noticing trees, birds, people is invigorating – you’ll get those feel-good hormones in no time when you’re closer to nature, instead of standing next to sweaty people breathing air-conditioned air!
Of course, one of the benefits of a gym membership is taking classes with groups of people. If this is important to you, no problem. You can find similar motivation by joining a fitness group. For example, if you like to run then consider joining a local running group.
Walking, bicycling, hiking, swimming and team sports are a great way to capitalize on the social aspects of fitness and motivation without spending a cent.
You don’t have to drive anywhere so it’s more eco friendly. (And you don’t have to fight for parking!).
Gardening also counts as great green exercise – it’s therapeutic, productive, very eco friendly, and brings you back into contact with Nature.
Housework also counts as green exercise – it’s not as much fun as gardening, but it does keep the house clean!
Or join a “volunteer green gym” where you join groups planting trees or establishing wildlife ponds.
And did I mention that green exercise is free?
Green Exercise Tip #2 – Reuse, Don’t Buy New
If you’re the type of person who has the motivation and determination to exercise in your home, then home fitness equipment makes sense.
But don’t rush out and buy the latest fad. The used sporting goods stores are jam-packed with used equipment that’s in great shape. Why? Because they were purchased by people who had good intentions and poor follow-through.
Take advantage of their mistake. Check out used sporting goods stores, and online sites like Craigslist or even Freegle for good equipment at a great price.
Beware! It’s not the right decision for everyone. In many homes the treadmill or stair stepper quickly becomes a clothes drying rack, and that’s a huge waste of money and resources.
Know thyself!
Green Exercise Tip #3 – Scrimp and Splurge
There are fitness items it makes sense to splurge on and those that it just doesn’t.
Protective gear should be solid and reliable. For example, support items such as sports bras for busty women may be important. Often, good shoes make good sense.
However, the t-shirt you wear or the sweatband you have on your head definitely don’t need to be expensive items. Yes, getting geared up can help you get motivated to work out, but spending hundreds on your outfit doesn’t make sense for your wallet or the planet.
Additionally, depending on the sport, the gear you choose for green exercise doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
A bike, for example, can cost anywhere from $500 to $5000. An expensive bike isn’t necessary for fitness – unless you’re training for the Tour De France.
Will you get any fitter on a new bike versus a re-used one? No. And there are always bargains on used sports equipment
Fitness doesn’t have to cost you OR the planet.
Find healthy, green exercise that fits your budget and doesn’t harm the environment.
Just don’t stop exercising – your health is just too important.
How do you green your exercise routine? Let me know in the comments below. And please Share this post (Share buttons below and right) – thank you!
Related
eco friendly, exercise, fitness, green exercise, nature, outside, reduce, reuse
