The Best Eco-Friendly Workout Clothes for Sustainable Exercise

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Make Every Exercise More Sustainable With Eco-Friendly Workout Clothes

Are you ready to break a sweat while keeping Mother Earth in mind? I know finding the perfect workout gear that aligns with your sustainability goals can be a bit of a challenge. But fear not, because we’re diving into the world of the best eco-friendly workout clothes!

Let’s face it — staying active is a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of our planet. That’s why I’m super excited to share some tips and discoveries about the best sustainable activewear brands that not only make you feel good during your workouts but also leave a lighter footprint on our beautiful Earth.

So, whether you’re a yoga guru, a trailblazing runner, or just someone who loves a good workout, join me on this eco-friendly journey as we explore fabrics, brands, and conscious choices that will make your fitness routine as green as the lush forests we aim to protect!

1. Girlfriend Collective

When it comes to finding the best sustainable workout clothes, you can’t beat the selection of styles, sizes, and colors at Girlfriend Collective. From sports bras and leggings to bike shorts and tank tops, you’ll find everything you need to feel comfortable when you’re working out. Plus, with inclusive sizing that ranges from XXS to 6XL, you’ll have no problems finding the perfect fit.

Girlfriend Collective makes their workout clothing using a variety of recycled materials, such as plastic bottles, fishing nets, and fabric scraps. Additionally, all of their fabrics are sweat-wicking, squat-proof, and provide UPF 50+ sun protection.

While conventional dyeing processes are often extremely destructive to the environment, Girlfriend Collective uses only eco-friendly dyes. They also make sure all of the wastewater is carefully cleaned before it’s released.

The company believes that eco-friendly activewear should be ethical as well. That’s why they only partner with manufacturers that are SA8000 certified. This means these manufacturers follow strict regulations that ensure factory workers have fair wages and safe working conditions.

Plus, while Girlfriend Collective makes its ethical activewear to last, the company also realizes that wear and tear will take their toll. That’s why they created their ReGirlfriend program.

When you’re eco-friendly workout clothes reach the end of their useful life, you can send them back to Girlfriend Collective for recycling. Not only will you help close the loop and avoid sending more waste to the landfill, but the company will also give you a $15 store credit as a way of saying thanks!

2. Tentree

Tentree is known for offering affordable eco-friendly clothes for the entire family. This also includes a great selection of sustainable sportswear made from eco-friendly materials.

Their activewear line for women and for men includes tanks, t-shirts, joggers, leggings, shorts, and more. Many of their pieces are made using recycled fibers and materials, such as textile waste, plastic water bottles, and fishing nets. They also use a variety of natural fabrics, including TENCEL lyocell derived from wood pulp, hemp, and organic cotton.

Tentree is a Certified B Corp that maintains high standards of social and environmental impact. They’re also a Climate Neutral Certified company that offsets all of their emissions.

Additionally, Tentree only works with manufacturers and suppliers that have a low environmental impact and that guarantee a safe and respectful working environment for their employees.

Plus, like everything else you can purchase at Tentree, you know your sustainable sportswear gives back to the planet. That’s because every item sold helps plant 10 trees. You’re also able to follow the process and actually see where your trees are planted.

Each item comes with a tag that has a unique tree-planting code. Once you register your code, you can track your trees, see where they’re planted, and learn about the communities your trees are helping.

3. Organic Basics

Organic Basics isn’t just a sustainable loungewear brand that makes some of the softest and most comfortable underwear, bras, socks, and other essentials you can find. They also have a great selection of workout clothes made from a variety of sustainable materials.

Their organic cotton is certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). This means that, unlike conventional cotton, their organic cotton is grown using less water and without GMOs, pesticides, or harsh chemicals. This helps protect farmers, people living near the farms, wildlife, soil, and groundwater.

Their collection includes shorts, yoga pants, crop tops, t-shirts, tank tops, and more for women and men. The size range goes from XS to XXL to help you find the perfect fit.

Additionally, Organic Basics only works with trusted, certified factory partners that ensure there’s no child or forced labor, pay a living wage, and provide a safe working space. Not only is the company a Certified B Corp, but they’ve also partnered with One Carbon World to offset their carbon emissions.

4. Maggie’s Organics

Although Maggie’s Organics might be known for their incredibly comfortable and sustainable socks, the company also has a nice selection of sustainable workout clothes you’ll love wearing.

Their leggings fit so well that they’re the perfect choice for any type of exercise. They’re also great for times when you’re simply relaxing at home!

They’re available in midcalf or ankle length, so you can find the ideal cut. You can even get fleece-lined leggings or bike shorts to keep you comfortable in all types of weather. The leggings are made with 90% organic cotton and are designed to provide maximum flexibility as you move.

Part of what makes Maggie’s Organics one of the best activewear brands is that they’re committed to complete sustainability and true ethical practices from start to finish. That’s one reason why they created their unprecedented Real Fair Trade pledge. This pledge includes obligations to transparency, community, longevity, integrity, and kindness.

Maggie’s Organics also uses numerous third-party verification partners to ensure their manufacturing processes are as safe and sustainable as possible. This includes GOTS-certified cotton as well as Free2work and Fair Trade Federation for human rights.

5. Pact

There’s a good reason why Pact calls itself Earth’s Favorite Clothing Company. In addition to offering an outstanding selection of eco-friendly clothes for everyday wear, they also have plenty of options for sustainable workout clothes.

This includes leggings, sweatpants, shorts, tanks, tees, and sweaters. In addition to a variety of colors and patterns, you’ll also find sizes that range from XS to XXL.

Pact believes that people and the planet should come first when making clothes. To make sure their products and processes support their goals, they proudly partner with Fair Trade USA, GOTS, and SimpliZero.

They also feel that part of offering eco-friendly clothes means eliminating single-use plastics. That’s why they ship their pieces in Vela bags, which are responsibly made, FSC-certified, carbon-neutral, and completely recyclable paper bags.

Along with these goals, Pact also wants to stop gently used clothing from ending up in landfills. That’s why they’ve partnered with Give Back Box to provide a zero-cost, zero-hassle way to donate clothes.

Simply pack up your gently used clothes, shoes, and accessories (even those not from Pact!) and print out the free pre-addressed shipping label. Pact will then deliver your donation to participating charities to help them fund community-based programs.

6. Toad&Co

Toad&Co has a great selection of stylish, everyday eco-friendly clothes for men and women. They also have plenty of comfy and sustainable activewear for everyone.

This includes sustainable leggings, joggers, shorts, and tees. You can also find jackets, beanies, and headbands for those chilly outdoor activities.

Toad&Co uses a variety of sustainable fabrics to make their clothes, such as hemp, certified organic cotton, Tencel, Lenzing Modal, and recycled fabrics. Since the company uses man-made and plant-based fabrics, they have plenty of vegan-friendly clothes.

To help you save money and keep perfectly good clothing out of landfills, they offer their ToadAgain program. With this program, you can either list your items to sell or send them back to Toad&Co to receive store credit toward your next purchase.

Along with offering eco-friendly workout clothes at affordable prices, Toad&Co is also striving to have a positive impact on our planet. That’s why, in addition to being a proud member of 1% for the Planet, they’ve also partnered with The Conservation Alliance, The Adventure Travel Conservation Fund, Search for Adventure, Brave Trails, and other non-profits to help give back.

7. SATVA

SATVA believes toxins and GMOs should never touch your skin. That’s why this sustainable brand creates comfortable clothes made with organic and eco-friendly fabrics.

This includes materials like organic cotton and recycled fabrics. They also never use bleach, sulfur, toxic waxes, or heavy metals to make their clothes.

They offer sports bras, tanks, tees, long-sleeve shirts, hoodies, leggings, shorts, and joggers. With such an outstanding collection, you’ll have no problems finding exactly what you need for your next workout.

You can find SATVA clothes at EarthHero, which is one of the best zero waste online stores for all of your eco-friendly essentials. If you decide to order some clothes, you can use the code EARTHFRIENDLY to take 10% off your order!

8. Cariloha

Cariloha activewear for women and for men is made from sustainable bamboo viscose. Since these clothes are made from plant-based materials, they offer a lot of amazing benefits.

Bamboo viscose is luxuriously soft on the skin. It’s also allergy-resistant and naturally moisture-wicking to help repel odors. Plus, it helps you literally stay cool when you’re working out because it’s actually 3 degrees cooler than cotton.

Since farmers can grow bamboo without using any harmful chemicals or pesticides, it makes for cleaner, safer soils. It’s also one of the most renewable resources on our planet. Some bamboo species can grow up to 3 feet every day while removing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen!

Cariloha’s line of high-performance activewear includes leggings, shorts, joggers, tanks, tees, sweatshirts, and jackets. Since everything they offer is so soft and comfortable, these pieces can easily take you from an invigorating workout at the gym to a relaxing weekend at home.

9. Wolven

In addition to offering a fantastic selection of sustainable swimwear, Wolven also has an impressive variety of eco-friendly workout clothes for women and men. This includes tees, tanks, leggings, shorts, joggers, and sweatshirts.

All of their activewear pieces are made from recycled rPET, otherwise known as recycled water bottles. Creating virgin polyester requires extracting natural gas from the Earth.

However, using recycled materials eliminates that need and reduces emissions. Using recycled rPET also helps prevent plastic from being incinerated or ending up in landfills or the natural environment.

Wolven cares about the people who make their clothes. To ensure everything is ethically produced, they work with Intertek to guarantee their manufacturers follow strict codes of conduct and ethical standards for wages, working hours, health and safety, child labor, and more.

Additionally, Wolven has partnered with Eco-Cart to become Climate Positive, which means they’re offsetting their carbon emissions AND removing additional emissions from the atmosphere.

10. Allbirds

You might be familiar with Allbirds because of their impressive selection of stylish and sustainable shoes. But did you also know they also have eco-friendly workout clothes?

Their selection includes tees, shorts, and pants made from natural materials like organic cotton, merino wool, and Tencel Lyocell.

Since these materials are natural, you know they’ll feel soft and smooth against your skin. They’ll also be breathable to help you stay cool and durable to last through countless workouts. Plus, you can rest assured they’re ethically made.

In addition to conducting their own audits, Allbirds uses third-party certifications to ensure their factories are safe, lawful, and following ethical production methods. Additionally, since Allbirds believes all animals should be treated humanely, they require their producers to follow strict rules on farming, land management, and animal welfare.

Along with ensuring a safe and ethical production process for everyone involved, Allbirds also works hard to protect our environment.

They’re a carbon neutral business certified by Climate Neutral. To achieve this status, they balance their emissions with high-impact carbon projects that uplift local communities, such as Amazon rainforest preservation and renewable wind energy projects.

Why It’s Important to Choose Eco-Friendly Workout Clothes

Woman wearing workout clothes while doing yoga pose on the beach

Your choice of workout clothes matters more than you might think. We all know that breaking a sweat is fantastic for your well-being, but did you know that the fabrics hugging your skin can have a significant impact on the health of our planet?

Like a lot of fast fashion pieces, traditional workout gear often relies on synthetic fabrics derived from petroleum. These materials not only contribute to the depletion of non-renewable resources but also take centuries to decompose, adding to our ever-growing landfills.

But it’s not just about what you’re preventing; it’s also about the positive change you’re embracing. Many sustainable activewear brands prioritize organic and recycled materials, reducing the demand for new resources and minimizing the carbon footprint associated with production.

Furthermore, these brands often prioritize ethical manufacturing practices, ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions for the hands crafting your favorite gear. So, as you break a sweat, you’re supporting a system that values both the environment and the people behind the scenes.

Sweat Sustainably in the Best Eco-Friendly Workout Clothes

Choosing the best eco-friendly workout clothes isn’t just about looking good while you break a sweat; it’s a conscious decision that ripples positive effects throughout our planet. As you embark on your fitness journey with sustainability in mind, remember the power you hold to make a difference, one workout at a time.

By opting for activewear made from organic, recycled, or sustainable materials, you’re not just investing in your health; you’re investing in the health of our environment. It’s a win-win situation where your commitment to eco-friendly choices extends far beyond the gym or yoga studio.

As you navigate the world of sustainable activewear, explore different brands, fabrics, and styles that align with your values. Share your finds with fellow eco-enthusiasts, and let’s create a community that celebrates both fitness and a greener lifestyle.

So, whether you’re stretching into downward dog, conquering that morning run, or pushing weights at the gym, know that your eco-friendly workout clothes are a statement that reflects your commitment to a healthier, happier planet.

More Helpful Tips on Eco-Friendly Living

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