{"id":616,"date":"2008-10-14T07:46:42","date_gmt":"2008-10-14T12:46:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.teamcrossworld.com\/running\/?p=616"},"modified":"2017-11-07T12:02:12","modified_gmt":"2017-11-07T17:02:12","slug":"eco-gyms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.teamcrossworld.com\/running\/2008\/eco-gyms\/","title":{"rendered":"Eco-Gyms"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The<\/a>

The Green Microgym image from NY Times<\/p><\/div>\n

A lot of people talk about changing the environment, ending global warming, and other related issues.\u00a0 But few people take dramatic action to do anything about it.\u00a0 We have joined to masses who use the environmentally friendly lightbulbs and I usually ride the bus or ride my bike to work. These are little things but they do add up, eventually!<\/p>\n

Running is an interesting sport because at its most basic levels it is quite simple.\u00a0 Technically we just need a pair of shorts and a shirt to go running (barefoot running is a niche part of the community). Runners have created a large industry around the sport, which isn’t always as environmentally friendly.\u00a0 A large chunk of our shoes are made of rubber or some other oil derived product, we create large amounts of trash during races and training – which includes plastic bottles. As runners we are also keenly aware of our environment and the direct impact it can have on our running.\u00a0 Smog <\/a>especially can play havoc with our lungs.<\/p>\n

Companies such as Brooks are begining to create products which have less of a negative affect on the environment.\u00a0 The BioMoGo<\/a> is currently in stores and their full line will use this product by the end of next year.\u00a0 Races such as the Urban Wildland races<\/a> are starting to think about the impact they have.<\/p>\n

Take everything I just talked about and throw it inside a building and you get a gym\/fitness center with Personal trainers in Washington DC<\/a>.\u00a0 One can only imagine the energy required to run a gym, not to mention the amount of water used, sewage produced, and overall negative impact on the envrionment.\u00a0 Yet for many runners they are a vital part of the routine – especially in cold weather states like Minnesota.<\/p>\n

Enter the Eco-Gym.<\/strong> A newer style gym that relates to the environment in a different way.\u00a0\u00a0 Some like the Green Microgym<\/a> capture the energy output from exercise machines to partially power the facility.\u00a0 They also use solar panels to generate more of their electricity. Their website lists ways they are trying to be “Green<\/span>” here are a few examples:<\/p>\n