Make some of these simple changes to your gym bag to help protect the planet while keeping fit
From yoga mats to water bottles, we’ve got you sorted
Going to the gym is something that you may already find a struggle, but trying to find plastic-free equipment to help enhance your workout can be even harder.
Whether you’re into weights, cardio or even yoga, here are some plastic-free alternatives to shake up your gym routine.
Yoga mats
CorkYogis, £65
A good quality yoga mat is never cheap. If you’re a dedicated ‘yogi’, or somebody who so committed to giving it a good go, instead of spending a lot of money on a mat that’s bad for the environment and spreads harmful toxins, invest in something more worthwhile.
CorkYogis have a cork yoga mat that helps to provide extra cushion for your yoga practice and is also made out of all natural cork and has a rubber bottom.
The cork material means this mat gives more support than your regular mat and provides a great non-slip surface to practice your
Similar to your regular yoga mat, this mat is easy to roll and has an easily cleanable surface, despite its unusual material.
CorkYogis’ mission is to help women living in India who are stuck in the sex trade to break free from the industry, so with every mat purchased the company helps contribute towards one girl’s training.
For a more budget-friendly option, or for those who are always on the move, try a travel yoga mat from Yoga Matters. These mats are £35 and can roll up to fit inside your bag. They come in a range of great colours too.
Canvas gym bags
Etsy, £25
Instead of keeping your sweaty gym kit and towel for the gym in a plastic bag, why not instead try
It may come as no surprise here that we are fans of canvas, however by making this simple swap you are helping protect our oceans against all the harmful plastic from disposable bags that would otherwise end up there.
Canvas bags are cheap and easily accessible. By using a canvas bag you are also able to throw it in the wash with the rest of your gym kit to help keep it nice and fresh.
Water bottles
Lifefactory, £25
It seems to be the most obvious change and the one most know about, but that doesn’t make it any less important. When you’re going to the gym it is easy to just bring a water bottle you can throw away after your workout and forget about.
Unfortunately our oceans don’t forget about this plastic bottle and they take a minimum of 450 years to decompose.
There are so many plastic-free alternatives on the market currently that there’s no excuse not to swap that plastic water bottle for something more Eco-friendly.
Activewear
BAM, £48
Most gym clothing contains plastics that not only take time to decompose, but are also released into our water system every time the clothing is washed.
Companies like BAM make a whole range of gym wear, from yoga leggings to base layers, entirely from bamboo.
They’re super comfy and have a great range of colours.
Cycling gear
GRN, £69
If you’re a keen cyclist, check out the bespoke cycling shorts, jerseys, gilets and tri-suits from GRN.
They’re made right here in the UK from recycled bottles – how cool is that? They do come with a hefty price tag, but you can design your own jersey, so we think it’s worth it.
Swimwear
Fourth Element, £54.90
Swimwear can seem impossible to get plastic-free. Well, we’ve done our research and found Fourth Element, a company serious about activewear as well as saving our oceans.
From recycled materials to compostable packaging, Fourth Element’s suits are pretty close to plastic-free. They come in a range of styles and colours as well as providing even artic-wear for super serious swimming.
