Going green: Tips for eco-friendly exercise
By Kathy Kaehler
St. Patrick’s Day brings out the crowds for parades and lots of Irish food and green beer. So why not keep with tradition and make your workout green, too? I’m referring to environmentally-friendly exercise, of course. 
Going green with your workout routine is actually pretty easy to do. Here’s how:
*Get outside. Electrically powered exercise machines at fitness centers and home gyms require a lot of energy to operate. But by taking your workout outdoors, the only energy required is yours. Walking, hiking, biking and jogging are all great cardiovascular activities. Along the way, stop to strength train by using your body weight for resistance with lunges, squats, push-ups, pull-ups, dips and step-ups.
Not only will you get a great workout, you’ll also have lots of fun connecting with the natural world and your community. You can go it alone, enlist a workout partner or even start a workout group in your neighborhood.
*Unplug at home. If outdoor exercise is not an option, try creating a home gym using equipment that, again, requires you to generate the power. Some examples: dumbbells, tubing, kettle bells, jump ropes and self-powered cardio machines such as spinning bikes and rowing machines.
*Dress the part. When choosing your workout clothes and accessories, consider those made of organic cotton, bamboo or other natural fibers -- even coconut shells! You could also look for clothes and shoes made of recycled materials, such as sneakers with recycled rubber soles. (Green coloring is up to you.)
You also can shop for eco-friendly fitness products such as yoga mats made of natural rubber and yoga mat bags made of hemp.
When you’ve worn out your clothes, recycle them. Patagonia, for instance, has a program that allows you to recycle old workout clothes and turn them into new ones. Nike has a recycling program that turns old sneakers into basketball courts, running tracks and playgrounds.
And when you've got in a good green workout and it’s time to toast the Irish, be sure to choose a figure-friendly lite green beer!
