The key to burning calories and getting fit isn’t an energy sucking gym. With the right tools and exercises, you can do it all in the open air. Swap treadmill or stationary bike workouts for a greener run or cycle outside. And get the Eco Exercise Body Toning Kit to keep your muscles in shape in the backyard. After all, don’t you feel healthier just breathing the fresh air?

Tone your abs, lower back and more with the exercise ball. It’s phthalate-free and non-toxic. You’ll also get an adjustable resistance tube that’s perfect for biceps curls, upright rows and the like along with an ankle tube so you can strengthen your legs as well. Both are made from natural latex with recycled plastic handles. Click here to read more

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If you’re a runner and you’re not in the midst of training for a marathon, chances are you have a 5K or 10K next weekend, right? During the summer running season you can never have too many tees and shorts. Since you’re always sweating in them, they go through a lot of wear and tear and could end up getting ditched after only a few months.

So choose recycled workout wear so you don’t feel bad if yours end up being disposable. Start with a Patagonia Capilene T-Shirt. Capilene is a green fabric, it’s just a fancy term for recycled polyester, that’s breathable and moisture-wicking–percet for hot and humid summer runs.

Next go for Patagonia Men’s Long Haul Runners, which are made from 50% recycled polyester. They’re a great style for distance runners because they’re made to reduce the uncomfortable chafe factor and they have an eco-friendly Capilene liner that’s moisture-wicking.

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As a NIKE Elite Athlete, spokesperson for Nintendo’s Wii Fit and celebrity fitness trainer, Ashley Borden spends a lot of time traveling around the country to get her job done, meeting with clients like Natasha Bedingfield, Ryan Gosling and Taraji P Henson. A fairly carbon-heavy lifestyle. But now, she’s making changes to reduce her carbon footprint and make her workouts more sustainable. Here, five of her top tips for greener fitness:

1. Buy workout wear in sustainable fabrics. Borden likes Patagonia’s Organic Cotton Serenity Capris for their soft, stretchy feel, adjustable fold-over waistline and unrestricted mobility.

2. Bike, don’t drive. One mile in a car equals up to one pound of carbon released into the atmosphere. If you’re into getting fit, why not power your ride and get fit on the way to the gym, right? Borden suggests biking to the gym once a week.

3. Have an exercise swap day. If you’re more of a home gym kind of person, you might get carried away buying the latest fitness gadgets and DVDs. Minimize and plan to swap with your friends instead. Everyone will buy less and once you’ve mastered every Jillian Micheals workout or grown tired of your Thigh Master, a friend can take it instead of the landfill. Click here to read more

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