How to Go Green: Workouts : TreeHugger

running outside photo
Photo credit: Tyler Stableford/Getty Images

Ahh, January. The holidays are over, winter weather is in full force, and since you just noticed you’ve gained five pounds since Thanksgiving, you no longer allow yourself to drown your sorrows in Godiva. If you’re jumping on the lose-weight-in-’09 bandwagon (along with, well, just about everyone else) then a fitness plan is a key element—but it doesn’t have to mean signing up for a gym where you’ll spend a lot of money and contribute to a whole lot of wasted energy. It’s easy to get a green workout with a few basic supplies—many of which you probably already have in your home—and a few small changes to your daily routine.

We’ve listed a few of these techniques after the jump, but for even more green workout ideas, head over to Planet Green and the How to Go Green: Workouts guide. Your muscles will thank you.

pushups photo
Photo credit: Blake Little/Getty Images

Stay home

What’s more convenient, private, or difficult to avoid than your own living room? Pop in an exercise video, check your cable for free workouts on demand, or download a routine from a fitness website and you’re ready to get started without leaving your house. We know what you’re thinking: you don’t have the equipment. But look around your house and we’re betting you’ll find a few things to get you started with a simple routine: canned goods to use in place of weights, a few towels to lay down instead of a mat, a small stool or a stack of books to use as a step, a chair to use for triceps exercises. Find an old jump rope for some basic—but surprisingly challenging—cardio, and you can avoid the gym entirely.

Get outside

This one’s a no brainer. Some exercises just work better outside—running and biking, for example—especially when the alternative is a boring, energy-sucking cardio machine. Trade your pre-dinner stationary bike/Seinfeld watching for 30 minutes of riding around your neighborhood and you might be surprised at the difference some fresh air makes. If you’re not a runner, or don’t have a bike, just go for a walk; it’s low-impact but it still gets your heart rate up, and it’s the perfect activity to do with a friend in place of happy hour.

Change your routine

Maybe you’re one of those people who never works out because you “just can’t find the time.” Ok, we know: life gets busy. But if you’re determined, it’s easy to fit a workout in around your regular errands: try walking to the bank or post office instead of driving, exchange your Sunday brunch plans with your college roommate for a hike together instead, and get out your bike (and basket) for that next trip to the grocery store. You’ll burn calories, increase your endurance (hey—groceries are heavy!), and save gas all at the same time.

When it comes to greening your workout, these tips are just the tip of the iceberg. For more advice, inspiration, and knowledge, check out Planet Green’s How to Go Green: Workouts.