The Covid-19 pandemic has altered our usual workout routines and consumers have been forced to consider more creative and often more eco-friendly methods of working out as a result. Cycling, running and walking are just some of the many activities individuals have now worked into their daily routine to keep fit with many taking up new hobbies.
As many of us have adapted to home workouts it seems many are reluctant to return to the gym, many seeking more eco-friendly alternatives.
A new study by Reebok has revealed the best cities to visit and live in to partake in eco-friendly exercise, considering the percentage of bicycle usage, the number of hiking & running trails, number of sunlight hours, the best gym equipment for low carbon emissions and more.
Awareness of the environmental impact of gyms is increasing, Dr Folusha Oluwajana Head of Personal Training, Exercise and GP commented; “Many gyms have a range of electrically powered equipment, high-wattage lighting and air-conditioning, and some are now open 24/7.”
“Eco-friendly workouts are free and can often be done close to home, as well as providing the physical and mental health benefits of getting outside, exposure to fresh air and vitamin D in the spring and summer.”
When analysing Europe’s best cities for sustainable exercise, London was named the eco-friendly workout capital. The capital offers a vast amount of eco-friendly workout options with over 6,000 running routes along with 243 hiking trails. Londoners search for eco-friendly workout terms 5,724 a month, search terms included second-hand gym and exercise equipment as well as second-hand fitness machines.
Denmark’s capital Copenhagen followed closely behind in second place with an impressive biker usage percentage of 39.69%, along with lower than average crime and pollution rates.
Amsterdam came in third place boasting 1500 running routes and 45% biker usage.
When investing in eco-friendly new gym equipment, Dr Folusha Oluwajana Head of Personal Training, Exercise and GP stated, “If you are thinking of getting more equipment to furnish your “home gym” consider getting second-hand items, such as dumbbells or benches. Or make use of items you have at home!
Chairs and stools can be a great alternative to a bench, and a bottle of water (reusable of course), tins, jars, a bag of flour or sugar all could be used as handheld weights.”
TOP 20 EUROPEAN CITIES FOR ECO-FRIENDLY EXERCISE
When analysing the state of sustainability within exercise, the research found the following 30 cities were the best locations for adapting an eco-friendly exercise regime based on a variety of metrics from bicycle usage and sunlight hours to the number of running and hiking routes.
Tokyo claimed first place as the most eco-friendly city to workout. This is no surprise as the city boasts one of the lowest crime rates in the study along with over 1,500 running routes.
Sydney was the runner-up claiming second place, with one of the highest number of sunlight hours along with 1,833 running routes and 323 hiking trails.
THE TOP 20 GLOBAL CITIES FOR ECO-FRIENDLY EXERCISE
THE MOST ECO-FRIENDLY CITIES FOR WORKING OUT IN THE UK
Durham was named the most sustainable city for exercising in the UK. This came as no surprise as the location offers an impressive volume of running routes and lower than average crime and pollution rates. Cambridge followed closely in second place with 166 citizens searching per month for eco-friendly workout options; the region also has the highest percentage of bike usage with 37.5% of individuals in the region using bikes.
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