Training sustainably: 5 tips for an environmentally friendly fitness program

Sustainable training – this is not only the forest run, but also workouts or skating. We give you 5 tips on what to look out for and which sports are particularly good for the environment.

1. The perfect place for your environmentally friendly training

Sports equipment such as treadmills or ergometers need electricity to function. Instead, you can go for a run outdoors or simply start in any direction on a bike tour.

The forest also offers many “natural training equipment”. You can do pull-ups on low-hanging branches. The cushioning forest floor is also much more gentle on your joints than any other surface and the fresh air also ensures a healthy and sufficient supply of oxygen – without any artificial room ventilation.

Note: You can also read our article Slow jogging: this is how you can run mindfullyif you want to train in a way that is particularly gentle on the joints.

If you live near safe waters, you can start your swim training here. In fact, salt water is especially healthy for your body. The sea has a healing effect and the fresh air lets you breathe deeply again. This is because the salt is also dissolved in the air through aerosols. Be careful not to pollute the water and leave everything as you found it. For this you should also go to environmentally friendly suncream think.

You can find many free training plans online that can inspire you for your outdoor workout.

2. Zero waste: training without plastic and consumption

One of the most relevant resources you will need to exercise is water. Because if you drink too little, it damages your health.

Use plastic bottles and disposable empties instead Stainless steel and glass bottles. You can fill this up again and again with tap water.

Here you can find 6 of the best stainless steel drinking bottles.

For your environmentally friendly training, you can also replace dumbbells and other training equipment that you have to buy extra with natural items. So the CO₂ Emissions as low as possible. Try branches or small tree trunks in the forest as weights.

Towels are very suitable for exercises with fitness bands. To start with, the muscle group is trained sufficiently, as the material of the towels is stretchable and the amount of effort required in a certain direction is what counts.

You can also buy used equipment, so no new resources are used. More here: Buy second hand: old is the new new!

Sports clothing in particular contains a lot of microplastics, as the material should be particularly breathable and elastic. However, there are many ecological alternatives: Is everything fit? There is better & more sustainable sports fashion here. If you wash your clothes, the contained microparticles get into the water. To prevent this from happening with plastic, you can get one Guppyfriend gain. This collects the microplastic so that you can dispose of it in the correct bin.

Note: Waste separation & recycling: this is how you separate your waste properly

Much of the clothing is bought new all the time and much of it cannot be recycled. This creates textile waste. So try to buy your clothes in second-hand shops here too and donate or give away those that you no longer wear.

3. Group and team work is required

Not only does the fun factor increase when you train together with good friends, you also behave sustainably over longer distances. Because if the drive cannot be avoided, for example if you want to go climbing in remote places, you can carpool with your team. There are often group tickets for trains, which then cost less.

But sport in groups is also recommended for progress and perseverance. A fixed date to run is more likely to be kept than a plan for the next week. In the same way, you can go to your limits in a controlled manner by trying to keep up with the faster ones and sometimes run or drive in a relaxed manner with the slower ones.

If you are pursuing a specific goal, seek help from outdoor personal trainers, with whom you can precisely agree on places, times and units. They often have mobile equipment with which you can train anywhere, so that you don’t have to buy anything yourself.

4. Sustainable sports to try out

You can be environmentally friendly not only with running and outdoor training. Many sports keep you permanently fit and only require a one-time purchase.

Skating: Try the classic skateboard, so you can practice on remote streets and get faster. Tricks that you learn quickly promote your body control and your balance. Don’t forget your safety clothing and your helmet.

You can find your suitable board here: Sustainable skateboards and longboards: the best brands

Surfing: Windsurfing, kite surfing and surfing offer you a wide range of water sports activities. Courses and equipment are rather expensive, but once you have practiced, you don’t have to expect anything else and can integrate surfing into your everyday fitness routine. However, this is only useful if you live near the coast so that you do not use any means of transport.

Mountain biking: The forest offers you excellent mountain bike routes. Whether you use long, hilly paths to drive quickly on them, or to shoot down valleys to make steep descents, you can stay fit here. However, you should stick to the paths in the forest. Here you can also construct simple jumps yourself with wood and boards, as long as you take them with you after the sport and leave everything tidy.

Tip: You can use a mountain bike as a normal bike in the city at the same time.

Climb: There are many different types here. In deep water soloing, you climb over a body of water that can absorb the fall. No backup or equipment is necessary. But this sport is more for experienced people who are looking for something new. You need rope and safety for rock walls. Here, too, you should take courses beforehand. Mountain running and mountaineering also promote your fitness and only require sufficient food and water on longer tours. Another type is bouldering. Here you climb unsecured to jump height. Bouldering halls are suitable for the whole family.

If you are just starting out and want to try the sport first, then borrow the equipment. You can still change your mind then.

5. Everyday sporting life: Environmentally friendly lifestyle

Finally, it is advisable to incorporate as much physical activity into everyday life as possible. Every avoided car journey is kind to nature. Every bike ride keeps you fit.

Here are some more arguments in favor of the bike: 5 good reasons to ride a bike instead of a car.

Also a simple daily one walk is healthy. Combined with a skateboard or inline skates, you can quickly reach your destination if you are in a hurry. Your recreational sport even has practical aspects and you can leave the car behind on the short trips.

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