Now that we are starting to see some warmer days, many are getting inspired to get outside and also up their fitness regimens. Tune in to these 3 tips to learn how to help improve both yourself and the planet:
1) Get outside!
Take the workout outdoors! Whether it’s hiking, biking, walking, running, or just playing fetch with your dog in your own backyard, getting some much needed physical activity in the great outdoors can not only be a refreshing, natural way to unwind your body but also your mind. This is also a great way to reduce your emissions and overall footprint by eliminating your drive to and use of a commercial gym. Plus, the added greenery may have significant benefits for your mental health.
2) Start “plogging”
Try this fun and efficient new Swedish combination of jogging and picking up litter! The next time you decide to go out for a walk or a run, kill two birds with one stone by bringing along some gloves and a trash bag to pick up any trash on trails you see along the way! This maximizes your efficiency and acts as a great way to give back to your community while simultaneously getting your steps in and getting your heart rate up.
3) Try home workouts
Whether in your garage or backyard or bedroom, keep your next workout at home! Even a short drive to the gym and back adds up over time in terms of carbon emissions from your car and electricity use at the gym. Plus, this saves you the time and effort of making the whole trip, so it’s both convenient and eco-friendly. The great thing about home workouts is that you don’t need any fancy equipment for an effective sweat session–all you need is yourself and some motivation. Finding easy, equipment-free bodyweight workouts is only a quick search and click away, especially after the pandemic–the Internet is brimming with fitness inspiration and workout tutorials that make working out at home easier than ever. Another great and simple idea to get some movement in at home is yoga or pilates–there is a plethora of free video guides that anyone can access and utilize online. However, if you are more interested in weighted strength training, almost anything at home can be used as gym equipment (with a little creativity). Some examples include water jugs or bottles filled with coins as weights, chairs as dip benches, cinder blocks as weights, or really anything you can get your hands on. The possibilities are endless!
We hope these tips inspire you to step outside the box this new year and start your fitness journey the sustainable way!
Photo by Emma Simpson on Unsplash
Written by Carole Wilay (‘25)