That's Fit

Want to build a better body and help the environment at the same time? An easy way to go about doing this is to run or bike to work every day, but let's take that a step further by also running or biking to the gym. And, once at that gym, your conservation efforts don't end there; in fact, they increase. This is the philosophy behind a growing trend in the fitness industry: Green Gyms.

The New York Times recently did a piece (titled "How Powerful is Your Gym?") about a gym in Portland, OR, one of many around the country that are dedicated to protecting the environment. In addition to utilizing solar-powered electricity for their energy-efficient treadmills and elliptical machines, many of these same machines are actually constructed to generate energy.

Environmentally-conscious people from all walks of life are drawn to green gyms. Some enjoy the no-frills approach to fitness they offer (many don't even have showers or drinking fountains), while others appreciate the opportunity to make a difference by reducing their carbon footprint. In all cases, people seem to be hip to the idea, and that creates a very promising outlook for the future of our health and the health of the world we live in.