Oct 10, 2008 4:00 pm US/Eastern
Green Scene: Energy-Efficient Workouts
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
Walk into any gym and you're going to see quite a bit of
energy burned -- the energy it takes to keep all that equipment running. So some gyms and exercise enthusiasts are
putting a greener spin on working out, as CBS 3's Natasha Brown shows us.
Keren Sachs is getting ready for a triathlon and squeezes
in five to six workouts a week, most of them outdoors.
"Taking in the fresh air and enjoying the nature
around me, I feel good when I know that I haven't put a carbon footprint down
when I go out for a ride," said Sachs.
There's a lot of power pumped into most gyms.
"To keep the treadmill going and the elliptical
running, you know, it requires a lot of energy," said Sarah Wassner Flynn,
health and fitness editor for the website Sheknows.com
Many gyms are taking steps to conserve, using
environmentally-friendly cleaners and renewable energy sources to run the
machines and heat the showers. But to be
even greener?
"Hop on a bike, for example," said Flynn. "A forty-five minute bike ride will burn
about 450 calories."
It's a great warm-up.
Remember to bring your own towel, buy an eco-friendly, reusable water
bottle, and try rechargeable batteries in your music player. You can also vary your routine: one day
inside, the next outdoors among nature.
"You burn about 400 calories for a typical hike. You
work your quads, you work your calves, you know, it's just a really great
overall exercise," said Flynn.
Keren Sachs says she'll keep working out outdoors as long
as she can.
"When I'm using my own energy to motor my bike or
just use my legs, I feel better that I'm helping the world," said Sachs.
If you're interested in special workout wear, there are
many brands that now use recyclable materials, including soybeans and recycled
Coca-Cola bottles.
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