Tips to make your fitness routine more sustainable

(BPT) - Working out, getting in shape, starting a fitness routine – these are all practices that are good for the body. When mind and emotional-strengthening practices like yoga and meditation are included in the mix, you’re actively working to make all areas of your body healthy. You can take this one step further by engaging in a sustainable practice – one that’s good for the environment around you.

From the way you exercise to the equipment you use, consider the following ways you can make your practice more sustainable:

* Water – Hydration is good for the body, but plastic water bottles aren’t the best choice for a sustainable workout. Reusable bottles are a great option, or if possible, take advantage of water fountains found inside athletic centers and often scattered through public parks if you’re planning an outdoor workout. You can map your walk, run or bike ride to take you through the areas with access to the fountains, giving you a new and more water-efficient route.

* Location – The less you drive for your workout, the fewer emissions you’ll create. If you can, stay home or in your neighborhood for your workout, or use your office as your base. If those aren’t options, look for an athletic center that is between home and the office so you don’t have to make an extra trip.

* Recycled products – Thanks to updates in technology, athletic gear is becoming green. For example, the LiveON mats from Manduka are made from reclaimed materials so you can have a high-performance yoga experience without affecting the environment. And once you’re finished with the mat and ready for a new one, LiveOn mats are 100 percent recyclable, so you can recycle it to be made into something else. Visit www.manduka.com/us/liveon-mat-sweeps to win one of these closed-loop mats to enhance your yoga practice.

* Energy generated for other uses – If you ride a bike as part of your workout, turn the energy you’ve churned into power for your electronics like your tablet or cellphone. For road bikes, solar cells are available to capture the sun’s rays. And for stationary bikes, generators are an option. Distance riders who create continuous power for a longer period of time tend to produce good charges for generators, so if you’re a rider who prefers the short and fast rides, you might be better suited for the solar-power option.

With these tips for making your active lifestyle better for the environment, you’re taking the workout of your body, mind and the surrounding environment to a new level of sustainability.