Green and Fit: 10 tips for an eco-friendly workout.

Staying healthy by working out is good. But doing that while taking care of Mother Earth is another matter altogether. Some people's workout routines use up a lot of energy: driving to the gym, the aircon at the venue, plugged equipment like the treadmill, etcetera. So if you are conscious about keeping your carbon footprint small, consider these workout tips.

1. Consider walking or jogging around the neighborhood. Instead of using fitness equipment that consume energy, you may opt to do some jogging or brisk walking via routes that are scenic and safe.

2. Buy less. Less active wear, expensive running shoes, workout gizmos, and other fitness paraphernalia you can do without. Buy only what you really need and your carbon footprint will be significantly smaller. This means that you will be using less energy, throwing out less junk, and generally be kinder to our planet.

3. Here are light exercise activities you can try: Walk or bike to work; Work in your garden; Do sit-ups, weight-lifting, or stretching while watching TV; clean out your garage; take your dog for a walk; chase your kids around the yard.

4. Join organizations that do beach or mountain cleanups. You'll be keeping fit and helping the cause at the same time.

5. Stay close to home. Pop in your favorite dance music, turn it up a little and start dancing! It'll make you sweat, breathe deeper, and get your heart going faster. Definitely a fun exercise alternative, especially when done with a partner. You can also do yoga, Pilates, taichi or weight training at home. And if you prefer to go to the gym, choose one that's near your home or workplace. Avoid traffic, gas and parking expense, and added carbon emissions by walking to and from the gym. It’s great warm-up as well!

6. Use the stairs. At home, in your office, at the mall. Use it instead of the escalators or elevators, or run up and down the one at home for a quick workout.

7. Eat healthy workout snacks. Mix a bunch of nuts and some dried fruits, or grab a cup of yogurt as the perfect after-exercise snack.

8. Mind the details. When you're at the gym, use one towel instead of two, or bring your own instead of using paper towels to wipe the machines or your hands.

9. Find ways to combine your workout plan with your daily activities. For example, walk to the grocery or the market, bike to work, or park your car farther away when running errands.

10. Be resourceful. When working out at home, you can use simple objects as workout equipment. You can, for example, use two water-filled jugs as weights, a dining room chair or an old crate as your workout bench, etc.

How it all figures

• 0.75 kilowatt-hours: Energy used during 30 minutes on a treadmill.
• 6 hours: Length of time you could run a 0.5 horsepower aircon for one and a half hours on 0.75 kilowatt hours.
• 2 pounds: Amount of carbon dioxide a treadmill gives off during a 30 minute workout.
• 450 calories: Amount of energy burned during a typical 45-minute bike ride.

Sources:
www.care2.com
www.planetgreen.discovery.com
www.greendaily.com