Are you wondering how to get the most train sustainably or can do sports? Then you are absolutely right here! Basically, environmental protection and sports are already quite compatible with each other. But as it is often the case, there are some differences regarding some things like activity, nutrition or clothing in terms of sustainability.
In this article, I would like to give you 10 tips for sustainable training that you can implement quickly and easily!
10 tips to help you exercise sustainably
I used to drive to the gym and then go to the sauna. Quite energy-intensive and monotonous - and with the long journey always a bit annoying. Today, I do sports in a completely different way - somehow more freely and somehow also more environmentally friendly. I would like to show you how I implement this with the following tips for sustainable training.
Notice: Nobody is perfect and nobody has to implement eco-friendly training to perfection! It is much more important to develop step by step in the right direction. Here I would just like to inspire you a little bit.
1. use a reusable drinking bottle with tap water
With the Privatization of water sources and the sale of mineral water in plastic bottles provide Corporations like Nestlé for many places and people on the planet to run out of water. In addition, the Plastic bottle water so incredibly much more expensivethan the water from the tap, which fortunately we can drink without hesitation in Germany.
So you can also still Save money sustainably, for example, if you are looking for a Stainless steel drinking bottle and fill them up again and again. Save yourself the strenuous carrying of the six-packs with water and rather do real sports 😉.
Tip: Even on the road, you can refill your water bottle at participating businesses with the Refill app!
2. look for sustainable sports
Of course, it also depends on the particular sport that you pursue. Here I'll simply introduce you to a few sustainable sports:
- Jogging
- Inline skating
- Skating
- Surfing
- Archery
- Dragon boat / canoeing
- Hiking
- Gliding
- Climbing
- …
There are so many many possibilities! In terms of sustainability, it is certainly more sustainable to work in the Spreewald paddlingthan playing a round on the golf course. Especially because a golf course must be constantly watered and mowed. But also because without the profession of Golf ball diver many more golf balls would end up in nature.
Also Motorsports, skiing or e-sports are rather energy-intensive or environmentally harmful sports. That doesn't mean you shouldn't pursue them at all. But a healthy measure will help you to exercise in a more environmentally friendly way.
Notice: My aim here is not to badmouth individual sports. I just want to show which sports are basically more environmentally friendly and which are not.
Pick up trash while jogging!
Probably one of the most sustainable sports is Plogging! On the one hand, because you just go jogging and do not harm the environment. On the other hand, because you also pick up trash in the process and automatically a few Squats do. All you need are a pair of gloves and, depending on how much trash you find on your run, a trash bag. Sustainable training at its best I would say!
4. use environmentally friendly sportswear
Make sure, for example, that you prefer fair sportswear that was produced in Germany and not under inhumane conditions in Bangladesh. Seals like Fairtrade or Bluesign help you stay sustainable with your sportswear, too.
A good place to start is always the AvocadoStore, der seine gesamte Philosophie auf Nachhaltigkeit ausgerichtet und besonders im Kleidungsbereich ein sehr vielseitiges Angebot hat.
Tip: Feel free to check out the post about Slow Fashion Tips on. There you will learn how you can daily avoid the polluting and human exploiting Fast Fashion the fight.
5. support running events that do not use single-use plastic
Everyone knows the long prepared marathon events in big cities like Hamburg or Berlin. And almost everyone should also be familiar with the many Disposable plastic cups that end up falling by the wayside. Of course, this is absolutely not in the spirit of the sustainable, plastic-free life.
At more and more marathon events, there are now small, edible Algae balls with waterwhere absolutely no waste is left behind. Therefore, simply select the running and sports events where the organizers follow a sustainable philosophy.
6. train in nature with your own body weight
Anyone who has ever worked out in a gym knows that a lot of energy is consumed for wellness areas, heating or lighting. Sports that you can do outdoors are often more energy efficient. resource-saving. I therefore like to train outside in the park with my own body weight. For this I simply use the App FreeleticsI've been using it for a while now, and it's giving me really strenuous workouts that you basically don't need any equipment for. SitUps, PushUps, Squats and last but not least Burpees.. This really hits the spot!
Tip: In a separate article, you'll learn more about the psychological reasons why the Staying in nature promotes our health.
7. get sustainable training equipment
As you've noticed, you don't necessarily need a gym. Especially not if the distances are so long. Because if you want to train sustainably, you need besides his own body weight only a few objectsTo protect the joints or to always have enough to drink with you. Here are some things that will help you to exercise in an environmentally friendly way:
Tip: In the Plastic Free Shop's Sport Category, you will find many more products!
8. slowly and consciously switch to a plant-based diet
If you exercise and at the same time eat a poor and unbalanced diet, you will not achieve the success you desire. To reconcile the two and at the same time stay sustainable, you should change a diet gradually to vegan change. Reduce your meat consumption bit by bit - because the Factory farming contributes to almost all of the biggest environmental problems of our time at.
Just inform yourself a bit in the Nutrition blog. A good start is also the article Becoming a vegetarian made easy.
Tip: At vegan documentaries I have compiled a list of inspiring and motivating films for you! One of them is The Game Changers, in which vegan professional athletes show how they have been able to improve their performance by changing their diet.
9. keep your journeys to the sport short
In the past, as I said, I used to drive 20 minutes to the gym. This Travel was not only time consuming - sometimes it also prevented me from doing any sports at all. And sustainable were the car trips there either, of course.
If you want to train more sustainably, you should therefore simply leave your car behind if possible and jog or cycle to the gym or training spot, for example. Then you're already warmed up right away. Depending on where you live, public transportation can also be a good alternative.
Tip: If you train at home with your own body weight, as described above, the CO2-intensive journey is completely eliminated!
10. reduce water consumption for laundry and showers
Try not to throw on the washing machine after every workout and instead collect your sports clothes for a few days. If you didn't work out too hard or sweat too much, you might even be able to wear them again. What counts in the end: the fewer wash cycles, the more energy and water you save.
Moreover, I can advise you to, cold to shower! This not only saves you money on hot water, but also stimulates your circulation and makes you more concentrated. Just try it out.
Tip: In the articles Save water and Save energy you get dozens of other tips!
Train sustainably and still have fun!
As I'm sure you've discovered, sustainable training isn't that complicated and is super easy to implement. Just start with one or two things. For example, replace the mineral water from the plastic bottle with tap water from the reusable water bottle. And then just try exercising outside in the open air.
I hope that these tips inspire you to do your favorite sport in a more environmentally friendly way! Do you have questions, tips or your own experiences on the topics of sustainability and sports that you would like to share? As always, feel free to leave me a comment!
Stay fit and sustainable,
PS: Do you sometimes need that extra boost of motivation? Then turn on the side motivating music for training on! Have fun!
