Exercise is a fundamental part of any healthy lifestyle, and one of the key ways in which we can ensure we maintain a healthy balance each day and over time. But for those new to gym visits, it can be hard to figure out exactly what to bring along for that first time on the machines. Here are some eco-friendly gym essentials to help your first session go off without a hitch.
Eco-Friendly Gym Essentials
1. Headphones
No workout is worth its salt without a good soundtrack to go along with it. Music can be a powerful motivator, and there is no substitute for blasting your favourite songs while you work up a sweat – whether a playlist of powerful songs for powerlifting or a series of 80s bops to keep you motivated on an extended cardio routine.
Many gyms are there with you, pumping out jams from their own speaker system to help get the blood flowing – but the vast majority of gym playlists leave a lot to be desired… As such, a good set of headphones can go a long way to making your workout more comfortable. Bluetooth wireless headphones are a particularly good choice, as the lack of wires ensures you don’t get tangled up and injured while you exercise. Small tech items can always be recycled, if you’ve got old tech you don’t want, you can recycle it responsibly, trade it in or sell it on after you upgrade.
2. Hydration Stations
Water is a vital provision to bring along, no matter the length or severity of your planned gym excursion. Even light exercise will cause you to sweat, requiring you to replace the fluids in your body. A large water bottle is an indispensable item to include in your gym bag.
Food isn’t necessary to bring along for exercise routines under an hour, but for longer, more intense gym workouts, you should also bring yourself some food to fuel yourself with. Carbohydrates are a great choice in this regard, to help supply you with more energy.
The Sports Edit offer a range of reusable water bottles, as well as sustainably made activewear and trainers.
3. Natural Deodrant
As previously mentioned, sweat is an unavoidable by-product of exercise. As such, you may be feeling exhilarated after your workout, but you certainly won’t be feeling particularly fresh. Rather than stewing in your own efforts after a big session at the gym, you should bring yourself some key items to help you freshen up. Deodorant or antiperspirant can help you tackle any post-exercise body odour – but your gym may have shower facilities, which could be a better option if you bring a towel and some shower gel along with you. Green People offer a range of natural deodrants perfect for those intense workout sessions.
4. Eco-Friendly Yoga Clothes
It goes without saying that working out in your finest suit is not the wisest of decisions. Exercise involves a wide degree of movement and flexibility, which your clothing should accommodate handily. Setting some clothes aside specifically for gym use is crucial – not just for your comfort, but also for the condition of your favourite shirts.
While it is true that you should aim to wear more breathable items of clothing, there are no specific clothes you should be wearing. Whether you opt for an old band t-shirt and some sweatpants, or purchase the latest range of yoga activewear, all that matters is that you feel comfortable, can move well and aren’t dying from heat beneath them.
Bamboo Clothing create eco-friendly and ethically made bamboo yoga wear ideal for staying comfy whilst doing your morning stretch.
5. Sustainable Trainers
Trainers are the most popular choice of footwear here in the UK, collectively UK teenagers alone own a whopping 58 million trainers (!) Almost a third of these were unworn in the last three months. Needless to say, the trainer market is booming and with it comes an almighty environmental footprint. Check out our sustainable and ethical trainer guide to learn more.
