8 Hacks To Become Your Fittest, Greenest Self

We put our heads together and as it turns out, there are plenty of opportunities to be a friend to our Mother while we get our sweat on. Here are some of the practices we've put into place to "green" our fitness routines:

One of the leading causes of stress to the earth today is the clothing manufacturing process. Especially with your fitness gear: Instead of buying new clothes every season, invest in eco-friendly brands or pieces you know will hold up for more than a few months. You can take it a step further by developing a capsule fitness wardrobe for the warmer and cooler seasons, adding to it only as each piece needs replacing.

Have old T-shirts you used to love? Try repurposing them into new fitness tops! With fabric scissors, cut a triangle out of the back for an open-back shape, cut larger arm holes for an airy summertime tank, or crop the bottom for a freeing yoga tee vibe.

We're all guilty of this, but just a minute or two of planning could save hundreds of plastic bottles from entering landfills each year...depending on how much you work out.

If you insist on keeping an analog notebook, find one that's recycled. We love Decomposition books, which are made from 100 percent post-consumer-waste recycled paper that's processed without chlorine and is printed with soy ink, which allows it to be recycled again.

Thanks to new technology and product development, there are now several different eco-friendly detergent brands to choose from with a wide range of scents, too. Plus, we'll admit it: Every now and then we'll wear a top twice if it didn't get too sweaty during the first wear (like in a yoga class)—that saves water, energy, and detergent, too.

If you're in the city, don't cab it! Taking the subway or metro naturally reduces your carbon footprint big time. And if you normally drive to your workout class, see if you can walk, run, or bike instead. If that's not an option, carpool with your fellow fitness friends.

It sounds so basic, but using yoga mats made from recycled materials is hugely helpful to the earth. Some of our favorite studios use Jade mats made of recycled rubber, but there are many others too. Suga, for example, makes yoga mats from recycled wetsuits! Looks like it's time to find a yoga class near you on the MINDBODY app to show off your new eco-friendly mat.

When it comes to being green, the truth is that we are more powerful than we think. Day to day it can feel like the small acts you do don't make a difference, so why bother, but the reality is that big change comes from small actions. We have a long way to go, but we're hopeful about this green routine! Try to incorporate at least four of these tips into your fitness routine, and we promise your next yoga, CrossFit, or barre class will feel that much sweeter.