Plastic-Free Fitness

Make your clothes go the distance

Our fitness clothes go through a lot. Stretching, sweating, and then left to stew in your bag. Not to mention we tend to throw it all in the wash after just one wear. Most of our gym gear is made from synthetic fibres like polyester, which is a plastic-based material, this means every time we wash our work out gear, tiny plastic microfibers are released into our waterways.

Consider not washing your kit after every session… (hear me out). Instead of washing right away, you can dry and air out your kit first. UV light from the sun kills bacteria, which is actually where the smell comes from, so you may not even need to wash it. You can also opt for organic materials, which need washing less as they are more breathable and don’t trap the bacteria.

But if it’s still a bit whiffy – wash in cold water and avoid fabric softener helping it to last longer so you don’t need to keep buying more. You can also use laundry bags that capture the microfibres, available to buy here. Most people spend around £30 a month on new gym clothes, so let’s make them last. Remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint for your clothes too.

Give plastic a rest

Phew! Let’s take 5 and re-energise, but make sure you’re reusing too! A reusable water bottle is the perfect workout buddy. Keeping you cool and hydrated, without the added weight of harming the environment. One London-based gym has banned plastic water bottles from their gyms, after discovering just how many bottles were thrown away by their members. Equally, if your post-match juice is the only thing getting you through, then opt for a – we promise it will taste even sweeter.

In the UK, we spend a lot of money on our fitness, and the highest proportion of spending is on supplements. A lot of the time these come in the form of sachets of powder, bottled drinks, or individually wrapped bars. Instead, make your own protein-fuelled bars, wrapped in beeswax wraps, or fresh-fruit juice/smoothie in a reusable cup. It will give you just the boost you need. Or you can always stick to the classic half-time orange segments.

One step beyond

• Use your commute to sneak in some extra exercise if you can, cut down on those emissions – hop on your bike or jog to the office.
• Go the extra mile and feel good while doing it: –
  • Get fit whilst doing good by signing up to your local GoodGym – a group of runners combine regular exercise with helping in the community – with over 58 areas across the UK there’s likely to be one nearby.
  • Or if you are paddling or canoeing for your dose of exercise, maybe take a bag with you to fish out any rubbish you may see on your way.
  • Take part in Plogging, that’s jogging whilst picking up litter
• Donate your old trainers to causes like A mile in her shoes
• Opt for second-hand – visit a local charity shop or grab a sportswear bargain on an online marketplace.