7 Eco-Friendly Exercise Essentials: Sustainable Gym Gear From Head To Toe

Sustainable living has been a big theme of 2019 - hitting everything from finance to fashion - and it's a movement we're thrilled to get behind and stay behind. That's not to say it's easy, because everything good comes with a bit of hard work!

We do know that living a more environmentally-friendly life comes with a lot of choices and a lot of change, and that can feel overwhelming. As with any healthier habit, the best way to get started is by making small changes at first and building upon over time. It may not feel like you're making an impact in the sustainable world at first, but every small choice to live more eco-friendly makes a difference.

We thought we'd have some fun this week by giving you some (perhaps surprising) inspiration on how you can live a more sustainable life: by going eco-friendly with your exercise essentials! We've rounded up 7 stellar products from some of our favorite brands that we know you'll love wearing and feel good about purchasing, too.

7 Eco-Friendly Exercise Essentials

1. Running Sneakers: Adidas Ultraboost Parley

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(now 25% off)To create its recycled plastic sneakers, Adidas works with Parley for the Oceans, an organization that collects plastic waste from beaches and coastlines, cleans them, chips them and finally converts them into consumer products. Lace these shoes up and feel good about every step.

2. Yoga Pants: PlayerLayer EcoLayer Leggings

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Player Layer has a new range of eco-friendly sports basics, called EcoLayers, and you need to know about them. They're also fighting against plastic waste entering the ocean, and they've created insanely comfortable leggings where each pair is made up of about 25 plastic water bottles. These leggings are high-rise, offer the perfect amount of stretch, while staying super soft to the touch.

3. Warm Up Jacket: Positive Outlook Recycled Sherpa Hoodie

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(now 30% off)When you need to go to-and-from the gym, it's always a good idea to have a comfy cover-up on hand to keep your muscles warm. This hoodie is fully lined with recycled sherpa and made of organic cotton so it definitely checks the boxes when it comes to being eco-friendly. We bet it will be a zip-up you wear for all occasions because it's just so comfy.

4. Sports Bra: Girlfriend Collective Paloma Bra

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When it comes to exercise gear that's eco-friendly, Girlfriend Collective knows what's up. We don't know how they do it (actually we do because they are super transparent about their process), but GC continues to make high-quality sportswear that's breathable, supportive, comfortable, stylish, and made from recycled post-consumer plastics. 

5. Exercise Mat: Heiwa Yoga Mat

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This is a yoga mat like you've never seen before, but we doubt you'll go back to anything different once you've tried it. The Heiwa Yoga mat is made from all-natural organic cork and organic tree rubber, to give a grippy feel, just enough cushion, and you can feel good knowing that "no trees were cut to make this mat".

6. Reusable Water Bottle: Hydro Flask

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If you like your cold drinks cold and your hot drinks hot, you can't go wrong with Hydro Flask. If you are going to make one eco-friendly change, make it ditching plastic water bottles for something reusable and durable -- and the Hydro Flask is tough enough to handle any workout, we promise. Plus, you can rest easy knowing their products are BPA and phthalate-free. 

7. Gym Tote: Atlas & Ortus Organic Weekend/Gym Bag

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Atlas & Ortus was founded recently by two sisters with the mission of "making stylish, zero-waste lifestyle accessories that make it easier to live in a more green way and cut down on the unnecessary plastics in your life”.  Picking up one of these versatile bags is not only better for the earth, though; be sure to read about how your purchase can make a difference to women around the world. 

We hope this has inspired you in some small way to make a sustainable lifestyle change or to keep making choices that are better for planet earth. Every effort makes a difference -- and the healthier our planet is, the healthier our future (and that of our children's) can be.