By Dr. Jennifer L. Yocum, L.Ac.
As we start 2025 and many people are headed to the gyms, there’s an exciting new movement sweeping the planet: eco-friendly fitness. The fitness industry is undergoing a green revolution, blending personal health with environmental responsibility. This shift towards eco-friendly fitness is not just a trend, but a necessary evolution in our approach to wellness and sustainability.
The Green Gym Revolution
Did you know there is energy-generating gym equipment in use across the US, Canada, and all over the world? This innovative concept is no longer a futuristic idea; it’s here and already making waves across universities and fitness centers. For example, York University in Canada has installed 42 electricity-generating exercise machines that convert the kinetic energy from workouts into usable electricity. This energy is then fed back into the university’s power grid, generating an estimated annual energy production of 19,264 kilowatts (York University, 2024)! To put that in perspective, the average American home uses about 893 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per month. The energy generated by York University’s equipment could power an average home for approximately 21.5 months, or just under 2 years! Said another way, if we assume an average electricity rate of $0.14 per kWh, the energy generated could potentially save about $2,697 annually on electricity costs! Alternatively, this amount of clean energy production could offset approximately 13.6 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year, equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions from about 3 passenger vehicles driven for one year. None of those statistics are negligible; with numbers like those, it’s a wonder that more gyms don’t consider the cost-savings over time!
SportsArt, a pioneering fitness equipment manufacturer, has developed the ECO-POWR™ technology, which is sold all over the world. This groundbreaking system can convert up to 74% of human energy produced during workouts into clean, renewable electricity (SportsArt, n.d.). Universities such as Brown University and the University of South Florida (USF) have installed SportsArt machines in their campus fitness centers as a way to help the planet and provide climate solutions. The energy output is impressive – a single hour workout on these machines can power a desktop computer for at least two hours (Toussaint, 2024).
Consider speaking to your local gym about installing energy-generating machines. Many people are not even aware that these exist, and so by passing along this information, you are doing your part to help your community and local businesses to be more eco-friendly while saving money in the long run.
Sustainable Gym Infrastructure
Beyond energy-generating equipment, some gyms are adopting comprehensive sustainability measures such as:
- Solar panels and wind turbines for on-site renewable energy
- Energy-efficient lighting and climate control systems
- Water conservation measures, including low-flow fixtures and rainwater harvesting
All of these measures can help fitness centers to lower their impact on the energy grid and provide cost-savings. While some may not be feasible for certain locations (for example, not all gyms will have space for a wind turbine or be able to have solar panels installed), starting with energy-efficient lighting, such as LED lighting, or motion-activated lights, are well within reach. Chat with your gym or put a suggestion in the comment box to see if they would be open to adding some of these features if they do not already have them.
Outdoor Workouts: Fitness Meets Conservation
The eco-fitness movement extends beyond gym walls. Innovative outdoor workout trends are emerging that combine exercise with environmental stewardship, including:
- “Plogging:” Jogging while picking up litter
- Beach clean-up workouts
- Tree planting fitness challenges
- Nature trail maintenance as part of hiking or trail running groups
These activities not only provide physical benefits but also foster a deeper connection with nature and community. Check with your local communities to see what is offered, and consider starting your own! Where I live, we have regular trail maintenance groups, and hiking the trail is a necessary part of that group. It’s a great way to get some exercise but also do your part to keep the trails usable for months and years to come, and pick up any trash. You don’t even have to start a group- plan a one-time event in your neighborhood by asking your neighbors on Nextdoor or through the HOA to join in to pick up trash on a planned route, improve a common area, or even start a community garden! If your community doesn’t have those kinds of needs, you could plan a donation-based 5K walk or run to benefit a charity that focuses on helping the environment, such as The Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, Surfrider Foundation, or a local non-profit of your choice.
Eco-Conscious Workout Gear
You may not think about the environmental impact of the clothes you wear, but many of them achieve their flexible nature by using plastics and other fibers that do not easily break down once they are discarded. Additionally, standard production can use a lot of water and may produce waste of large quantities of fabric and materials. Thankfully, the fitness apparel industry is also undergoing a green makeover.
Companies are now focusing on using more sustainable materials such as recycled polyester, organic cotton, and bamboo fibers. They are also exploring more eco-friendly production processes including waterless dyeing techniques and 3D knitting for reduced fabric waste. The way of the future is for companies to focus on durability of the clothing they produce, in order to reduce consumption and waste. “Fast fashion” is something many of us are looking to leave behind with the rest of 2024. As consumers, it’s important that we choose clothing from companies that care about these initiatives and are doing their part. The following are just some of the companies that are doing their part to make athletic and outdoor clothing eco-friendlier and more sustainable:
- Patagonia
Renowned for its commitment to sustainability, Patagonia uses a variety of eco-friendly materials, including recycled polyester, organic cotton, and ethical wool. The company has pledged 1% of its profits to environmental causes since 1985 and promotes second-hand buying and clothing repair initiatives to reduce consumption (Tidswell, n.d.; McDaniel, 2023).
- Girlfriend Collective
This brand specializes in activewear made from recycled materials, particularly plastic bottles. Girlfriend Collective emphasizes ethical manufacturing practices and transparency in its supply chain, ensuring fair labor conditions for workers (Tidswell, n.d.; Phatak, 2023).
- MOVE by MATE
Known for its organic products, MOVE by MATE focuses on sustainable materials and ethical production practices to create stylish activewear that is kind to the planet (Davison, 2024).
- Iron Roots
Iron Roots produces plastic-free activewear using natural fabrics like hemp and GOTS-certified organic cotton. The brand is committed to sustainability by refusing synthetic fabrics entirely (McDaniel, 2023).
- TALA
TALA combines style with sustainability, creating activewear from recycled materials while operating in an office powered entirely by renewable energy. The brand also encourages ethical practices throughout its supply chain (Davison, 2024).
- Vuori
This brand is recognized for its ethical practices and commitment to sustainability. Vuori focuses on using eco-friendly materials and maintains a transparent supply chain (Davison, 2024).
- Ref Active by Reformation
Ref Active offers activewear crafted from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles, focusing on sustainability throughout the production process while providing detailed information about the environmental impact of their products (Phatak, 2023).
- Allbirds
Originally known for sustainable footwear, Allbirds has expanded into activewear made from eco-friendly materials. The brand emphasizes carbon neutrality in its production processes (Phatak, 2023).
- Organic Basics
This brand focuses on low-impact production methods and uses recycled materials in its activewear line. Organic Basics provides an Impact Index for each product, detailing its environmental footprint (Phatak, 2023).
- Tree Tribe
An outdoor lifestyle brand that plants trees for every purchase made, Tree Tribe uses recycled polyester blended with spandex for its clothing line, ensuring durability while maintaining a commitment to sustainability (McDaniel, 2023).
These companies exemplify the shift towards more responsible practices in the athletic and outdoor apparel industry, making it easier for consumers to make eco-conscious choices while staying active.
The Future of Eco-Friendly Fitness
As we look ahead, the fusion of fitness and sustainability is set to grow. From virtual reality workouts reducing the need for physical gym spaces to AI-powered personal training apps minimizing travel, technology will play a crucial role in creating a more sustainable fitness industry.
The eco-friendly fitness movement is more than just a way to stay in shape; it’s a commitment to personal and planetary health. By embracing these sustainable practices, we can ensure that our pursuit of fitness contributes to, rather than detracts from, the well-being of our planet.
References:
Davison, T. (2024, January 11). Best sustainable workout clothes brands to watch out for in 2024. CleanHub. https://blog.cleanhub.com/best-sustainable-workout-clothes
McDaniel, A. (2023, November 8). 9 ethical activewar brands for breaking a sweat, not the planet. Sustainable Jungle. https://www.sustainablejungle.com/ethical-activewear/
Phatak, A. (2023, December 20). 22 sustainable athleisure brands you need to know in 2024. GoFynd. https://www.gofynd.com/thecloset/sustainable-athleisure-brands
SportsArt. (n.d.). Eco-powr™ technology. https://www.gosportsart.com/eco-powr-technology/
Tidswell, E. (n.d.). 10 ethical activewear brands making saving the planet a walk in the park. Good Maker Tales. https://goodmakertales.com/ethical-activewear-brands/
Toussaint, K. (2024, August 5). At this college gym, students keep the lights on by running on the treadmill. FastCompany. https://www.fastcompany.com/91167175/brown-university-gym-goers-have-been-generating-energy-while-they-work-out
York University. (2024, March 5). Charging up: new Tait McKenzie exercise machines power York. https://www.yorku.ca/yfile/2024/03/05/charging-up-new-tait-mckenzie-exercise-machines-power-york/
Recent Comments