The Five Least Green Ways to Break a Sweat

With spring just around the corner, everyone (including myself) is beginning to cringe a bit at the prospect of showing a little skin. Geez, my pasty whites haven't seen the light of day for months now and I am certainly not bathing suit ready. But when it comes to getting set for the season, skip the eco-killing workouts and choose a workout that does a planet good.

Here are five workouts that can really take their toll on the planet, so skim 'em:

1. Bikram Yoga
   I have long been a yoga advocate, it's a huge part of my life, in fact, I'm an instructor. But hot forms of yoga, though fabulous for stretching out tired muscles, can really take their toll on the planet. The yoga classes are held in a 105 degree room with a high humidity level. While it's beneficial to sweating out toxins and working every part of your body, this sort of yoga wastes tons of energy.
   
   Instead: If you want it hot, wait until July in South Carolina, and step outside, you can do hot yoga naturally then. Or try another form of yoga that doesn't heat up the room.


2. Training for a distant marathon
   The idea of training for a marathon in itself is green, but hopping on a plane to fly across the country and staying in a hotel to run a race is not green at all.
   
   Instead: Pick a marathon that's close to home so you don't burn tons of fossil fuels to get to your destination. If you live in New York, why not take advantage of great races close to home instead of flying or driving to another destination? When you're training, pick routes in your neighborhood instead of driving across town to hop on a treadmill. Running outside can put you in touch with nature and it's also much more exciting than staring at a wall for an hour.


3. Hitting the gym
   Gyms use a lot of electricity. They have to power up all the equipment, the televisions every has to watch, and all that lighting. They waste water in the locker rooms, steam rooms, and saunas. Some of them even have tanning beds (yuck). There are just so many other ways to get that same intensity without contributing to such waste.
   
   Instead: If you like the treadmill, hit the pavement and run outside. It's a lot more exciting and you get to be outside enjoying all that nature has to offer. Need a stair climber? Find a flight of stairs in front of a monument, building, or park and incorporate it into your workout. Like the row machine? Join a row team and row in a local river.


4. Jet skiing
   While jet skiing can be a great workout, boats burn a lot of fossil fuels. One gallon of gasoline is equal to about 20 pounds of CO2.
   
   Instead: There are really no direct alternatives to jet skiing but it's just important to limit use of your boat. If you really love to be out on the high seas, try sailing which doesn't involve any motor at all.


5. The Wii workout
   It's all the rage right now, but really not very green. The Wii has a new workout system that promotes people never leaving their favorite spot in front of their television to workout. You can play tennis, baseball, run, or even do yoga while burning tons of energy watching television. And you spend a lot of time creating this false world.
   
   Instead: Do the real thing! Don't waste energy and miss what the natural world actually has to offer playing video games for your workout!

More on Greening Your Workout:
Green Your Workout from Head to Toe
Green Your Workout!
10 Easy Ways to Workout While Helping the Planet

Need proof that it's possible to balance being green and still be a supportive partner and parent? See how Ed Begley, Jr. does it on Planet Green TV's Living with Ed.

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