Conscious Fashion: Fitness Frenzy

Even though I love working out, fashionable active wear isn’t something I jump to spend my money on. I admit it, I’m a T-shirt junkie- still wearing tees from high-school and college? check and check. Although I’m not ashamed of my tees, I think it’s safe to say that sometimes the gym seems more like a fashion show for the fit than a place to exercise. Luckily, there’s hope for athletes like me. Active wear companies like Lole make venturing to the gym in style a little easier.

Apparel: Inspired by well-being and women, Lole delivers functional and fashionable active-wear. Lole offers clothing for every activity: beach/water sports, yoga and urban fitness- and that’s just naming a few.  What’s so great about Lole is their commitment to the environment.  In an effort to create clothing responsibly, Lole uses materials such as organic cotton and polyester fibers made from recycled plastic bottles.

Footwear: When shopping for eco-friendly shoes and socks, two great companies are: Brooks and Teko. Brooks has taken on the challenge of creating environmentally friendly footwear. The result is a new technology that utilizes a variety of recycled materials while still delivering top performance. When shopping for Brooks shoes, look for the BioMoGo mark; this means the shoe has a biodegradable midsole. Other key features are laces and webbing that are made from 100% post-consumer recycled goods. And finally, for the cherry on top, the packaging is also made from 100% post-consumer recycled materials.

Since no one likes slipping on shoes with barefoot, try on eco-friendly socks from Teko. In keeping with their efforts to minimize their footprint, Teko facilities are 100% wind-powered and uses materials such as organic merino wool and non-toxic dyes.

Accessories: To finish of your gym look, choose an eco-friendly bag from Gaiam and water bottle from Klean Kantene. The Everything Fits Gym Bag from Gaiam is made from 100% recycled polyester and even has an adjustable strap to attach a yoga mat. With a Klean Kantene water bottle you can stay hydrated while protecting the planet.