Sustainable Gym Wear: Green Your Gains

Weekly Tip - Sustainable Gym Wear: Green Your Gains

Welcome to Play It Green’s weekly sustainability tip! This week, we’re talking about sustainable gym wear. With more and more people making sustainability a priority in their daily lives, it’s important to consider the environmental impact of our workout clothes.

Going to the gym is good for your health and this week’s tip helps you make it good for the planet too. Are you ready to learn more about sustainable gym wear? Keep reading for our top tips and recommendations.

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Sustainable Gym Wear: A History

The history of the gym dates back to ancient Greece. The gymnasiums of ancient Greece were more than just places for physical exercise; they were also spaces for socialising and education. The gymnasiums of ancient Greece were used by people of all ages, from children to adults.

In addition to physical exercise, gymnasiums were also used for intellectual pursuits, such as philosophical discussions and lectures. The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle even had a gymnasium of his own, which he used as a place to teach his students.

One interesting fact is that the word “gymnasium” comes from the Greek word “gymnasion,” which means “a place for naked exercise.” This is because, in ancient Greece, athletes often competed in the nude.

Over time, gyms evolved into more formal fitness centres, with the first modern gym opening in 1849 in Paris. Following that, gyms increased in popularity and with the first commercial gym opening in the 1930s in the United States.

Greek philosopher Aristotle even had a gymnasium of his own, which he used as a place to teach his students
Greek philosopher Aristotle had his own gymnasium, which he used as a place to teach

Today, gyms are everywhere, offering a range of exercise equipment and classes to suit all levels of fitness. However, the popularity of gym culture has not come without its environmental impact, with the production of synthetic fabrics used in gym wear contributing to pollution and waste. Read on to find out the impact of non-sustainable gym wear!

Sustainable Gym Wear: The Impact of Non-Sustainable Gym Wear

The production of synthetic fabrics used in gym wear has a significant impact on the environment. Synthetic materials such as polyester and nylon are made from non-renewable resources and are non-biodegradable, meaning they take hundreds of years to decompose.

The production of synthetic fabrics also requires large amounts of energy and water, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution.

The environmental impact of gym wear extends beyond just the production process. When we dispose of old gym wear, it often ends up in landfills, where it takes up valuable space and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, the fashion industry is responsible for around 92 million tons of waste dumped in landfills each year, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

In addition, the fast fashion culture of gym wear means that clothing is often made cheaply and quickly, with little regard for the environmental impact.

Sustainable Gym Wear - Around 92 million tons of clothing waste is dumped in landfills each year
Around 92 million tons of clothing waste is dumped in landfills each year

The constant demand for new gym wear leads to overproduction and waste. Interested in learning more about sustainable gym wear? Read on for our top tips and recommendations.

Sustainable Gym Wear: What to Look For

When choosing sustainable gym wear, there are a few key things to look for. First, opt for eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton, bamboo, and recycled polyester. These materials are sustainable and biodegradable, making them a better choice for the environment.

Next, consider the manufacturing process. Look for brands that use ethical and responsible manufacturing practices, such as fair labour conditions and minimal waste.

Many sustainable gym wear brands prioritise transparency in their production process, making it easier to make an informed choice.

Another important factor is durability. Choosing high-quality gym wear that is designed to last longer can prevent the need for frequent replacements, ultimately reducing waste.

Look for gym wear made with high-quality materials and well-constructed to withstand frequent use.

Sustainable Gym Wear - There are lots of materials that can be used to make gym wear sustainable
There are lots of materials that can be used to make gym wear sustainable

Finally, consider the end of the product’s lifecycle. Choose gym wear that can be recycled or repurposed at the end of its life, rather than ending up in a landfill.

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Sustainable Gym Wear: Some of Our Favourites

Are you looking for sustainable gym wear brands to add to your workout wardrobe? We’ve rounded up some of the best options on the market today. These brands prioritise sustainability and ethical production practices. Check out our top picks below.

Sundried

Triathlete Daniel Puddick founded the 100% vegan-friendly sportswear company Sundried in 2015. Their “Eco Core” line of clothes, which uses recycled materials like coffee grounds and plastic bottles in their garments, is both reasonably priced and environmentally friendly.

To assure that both the people and products in their supply chain are treated ethically, they have a transparent supply chain that has been audited by SMETA. All Sundried orders are now delivered the following day to addresses in the United Kingdom using recycled packaging, with a switch to biodegradable packaging on the horizon.

Sustainable Gym Wear - The Sundried Piz Fora Women’s Training Vest is made responsibly from recycled fabrics
The Sundried Piz Fora Women’s Training Vest is made responsibly from recycled fabrics

Fabletics

Sustainability is the future, and Fabletics live up to that motto. All orders are shipped in 100% recycled poly bags, and their physical stores are completely carbon neutral. The company was established in the US in 2013, and a year later it launched in the UK, France, and Germany. Every UK order is shipped from the UK.

Fabletics enables customers to return used items at the end of their useful lives for recycling into new clothing in an effort to reduce avoidable waste. Customers who return an item will receive £10 off their next orders of more than £75.

Sustainable Gym Wear - Fabletics High Performance Joggers can be returned at end of life for recycling and credit
Fabletics High Performance Joggers can be returned at end of life for recycling and credit

Pangaia

Pangaia isn’t your typical clothing company. They promote themselves as a “material science company” that develops cutting-edge, eco-friendly clothing for people of all ages. Pangaia has extensive expertise of premium materials, and they create luxury gear using recycled materials including recycled wool, cashmere, and organic cotton.

But there’s more! Pangaia offers 100% biodegradable activewear for men and women made from sustainably sourced eucalyptus pulp and seaweed powder. Best of all if you head over to Pangania’s website and sign up for their mailing list you can receive a 10% discount on your first order!

Sustainable Gym Wear _ Pangaia Men’s Activewear 2.0 Top is specially made to be biodegradable
Pangaia Men’s Activewear 2.0 Top is specially made to be biodegradable

Sustainable Gym Wear: That’s a Wrap

We hope you found these tips for sustainable gym wear helpful in making eco-friendly choices for your workout clothes. By choosing brands that prioritize sustainability and using eco-friendly materials, you can make a positive impact on the environment while still looking and feeling great during your workouts. Thank you for reading and we look forward to sharing another sustainability tip next Friday!

If you’re passionate about sustainability or simply want to start your journey, we encourage you to join the Play It Green community. For just £5 per person, per month, you’ll have access to a supportive network of like-minded individuals and resources to help you make even more sustainable choices in your daily life. As well as that you will plant lots of trees and regift to a charity of your choice. Together, we can create a brighter and more sustainable future for all.

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