The fitness industry along with all the other industries could do many things to “go green” and to try and lessen the impact that excess carbon emissions will do.

Equipment wise, one of the leaders of the fitness industry is Cybex. You’ll see a lot of their equipment in big chain gyms like 24 Hour Fitness, Gold’s Gym, and Powerhouse Gym just to name a few. [1]“Cybex is striving to be more eco-friendly and showing they can lead the way. They have taken steps such as building a state of the art 3.5 million dollar electrostatic painting system that uses energy efficient motors and keeps paint proportionally distributed for less waste. They have installed a water recycling system that re-uses water over and over during this process to reduce waste water. This process helps lower mercury pollution and greenhouse gases. Along with these advancements, Cybex has utilized advanced building design and heavy insulation to lower overall costs by 25%. Part of this building design is an abundance of windows to help utilize more natural light. When artificial light is needed, they have installed state of the art HID Holophane lighting to reduce both overall cost and energy. This saves the company, its customers and the environment in the process. Cybex has also seeded its acreage surrounding their new facility to create an environment to support both foliage and wildlife.” Like at Cybex, I see a lot more gyms putting in more windows to support less artificial light and encourage more natural light use.

At gyms, so much money could possibly be saved and the environment less damaged. Lights could be switched over to LED’s or CFL’s to save electricity. Solar panels could be installed when needed and the savings over time would be passed on to the customer. Shower heads could be changed to use less water but still feel comfortable. In addition to energy saving lights, use motion sensor lighting. Why keep a light on when no one is there to use it? These are just a few things that companies could change to “go green” with equipment. These options are very simple and easy to do also.

Supplement wise, companies could increase the amount of pills in a bottle so you wouldn’t have to keep buying more often. For example, making only a 360 count pill bottle instead of having a 180 and 360 count. It would be more economically beneficial to the consumer and the producer in the long run. It would also save with plastics, paper, etc. Also, maybe create a program in which a customer could return empty bottles as a type of credit program. For example, after every 15 bottles you return, get 1 bottle of the same product for free to encourage recycling. Not only would it encourage recycling, it would promote customer loyalty and repeat business. It would be a win win situation for both customer and producer. Companies can also start using less plastic through bottling. I’ve always wondered why a powdered supplement bottle is always only 3/4 full. The rest is wasted plastic packaging.

I’ve bought many items through A1supplements.com and you guys have saved me a lot of money. However, one thing I always thought you guys didn’t need was to send those paper receipts. Personally, I think the email receipt is enough. I’m sure if you guys eliminated the paper receipts sent in the box, a lot of money spent on paper would be saved which would then assist in the amount of trees being used to make paper.

To answer the original question, YES, I would pay more. Of course, I know that taking the initiative to “go green” will take some extra funds to use brand new technologies. In these economic times especially, everyone needs that extra help to pay for this or that. I would support a company who would “go green” and would encourage others to do so as well. This has to be a combined effort not only 1 or 2 companies trying.

This is just several of many examples companies could do to try and help out and “go green.” Now imagine this, maybe not as much (but just a little helps), but with the thousands of fitness related companies doing just a little to help out? Everyone doing a little adds up to ALOT and will go a long way in saving our environment and our future.