End Plastics
Cutting? Start with Plastic
August 7, 2025
You spend hours at the gym, train hard and watch what you eat. You put in so much time and effort and yet you are missing one piece of the health puzzle: plastics. They are everywhere and are huge threats to our health and fitness. Plastic chemicals are endocrine disrupters, which basically means they mess with our hormones. As such, they can lead to obesity and much more serious health issues like cancer. On your health journey, you want to get shredded, not polluted.
Here are 5 ways to limit your exposure to plastics in the gym:
1) Plastic-Free Is the New Protein: Ditch Plastic Packaged Food
Most sports nutrition comes wrapped in plastic. Protein bars, goos, chews… it all adds up. Not just in the trash can, but in your body too. Plastic packaging can actually leach chemicals like BPA into your food; especially when it sits around or gets warm.
But here’s the good news; you don’t need that stuff. Making your own sports snacks is way easier than you think. You can whip up some homemade energy bars, blend your own electrolyte drinks, or mash together a quick natural energy gel using honey, mashed fruit, or maple syrup rather than the usual sweet paste made of sugars, electrolytes, and sometimes caffeine. Storing it all in glass jars or reusable containers is way better for you and the planet.
The extra upside to this is that DIY snacks are usually way more nutrient-dense. That means fewer empty calories and more of the good stuff that keeps you energized and full for longer. Plus it’s almost certainly cheaper too!
2) Hydrate Don’t Die-drate
You have to stay hydrated at the gym, so you bring your trusty plastic water bottle. You think you’re crushing it; replenished and responsible. But here’s the twist: every sip might be serving you a side of microplastics.
Reusable plastic bottles get wear and tear that ends with them leaching toxins, usually polyethylene terephthalate, directly into your water. These bottles also get tiny cracks over time which are the perfect breeding grounds for bacteria and mold.
And if you think the reusable ones are bad, single-use ones aren’t any better. Some contain up to 240,000 nanoplastics; especially after baking in your hot car. Those tiny invisible particles ending up in your water, and then in you; not exactly the kind of gains you’re looking for.
The fix? Ditch the plastic and go for a reusable glass or stainless steel bottle. They’ll keep your drink cold and your body plastic-free. Plus, you’ll be doing the planet a solid.
3) Gym Clothes: What’s Lurking in Your Leggings?
It is a no-brainer that you would want to be able to move freely at the gym. Skinny jeans aren’t the best attire for range of motion, which is why most workout clothes are made of synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, or spandex. However, what gives these fibers that extra stretch is exactly what is bringing you harm; plastic-based chemicals, like BPA.
Workout gear may pose a higher risk of being made of synthetic textiles than regular clothing. Why? Because it needs to fit tight, cling to your skin, and soak up sweat like it’s getting paid for it. Research shows that microplastics can sneak into your body through sweat glands, hair follicles, and even tiny cuts in your skin. So when you’re getting hot and sweaty in your yoga pants, you’re creating the perfect storm for chemical absorption.
So what’s the right gym wear move? Try gear made from natural fibers like organic cotton, hemp, linen, bamboo, or even silk. Sure, they may feel a little heavier or less high-tech, but let’s be real: can’t get results without breaking a sweat!
4) Rinse, Don’t Repeat (the Toxins)
Even if you’re rocking organic gear, it’s smart to give your clothes a wash before wearing them. During manufacturing, even natural fibers can pick up microplastics or chemical residues. A quick rinse helps clear out the gunk and gets your clothes ready for real wear.
But heads up: using regular laundry detergent kinda defeats the purpose. Most conventional detergents are loaded with a type of plastic chemical, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA and PVOH), which infects your water systems. If you’re trying to reduce your exposure, go for options that are biodegradable, free of plastic pellets, and fragrance-free. Phthalates, such as DEP and DEHP, are used as fragrance carriers in our toiletries, helping to blend ingredients and make scents last. So that lovely smell of apple might not be so lovely after all!
These small tweaks might not seem like a big deal, but if you’re serious about reducing your exposure to plastic and protecting your health, they’re totally worth it. Clean gear, clean body.
5) Plastic Isn’t a Tool, It’s a Trick
From yoga balls to mats to resistance bands, plastic is everywhere in our gyms. In fact, around 70% of fitness equipment contains plastic in some form or another. And while you’re busy getting stronger, some of those plastic particles are transferring to and into you through direct contact, especially with repeated use.
It hasn’t always been this way. Back in the day, workouts were powered by materials like leather, wood, and metal; durable, natural, and plastic-free. So if you’re building a home gym or shopping for new gear, consider choosing equipment made from these traditional materials.
Now, if you’re using a shared gym, you might not have control over what equipment’s on the floor, but you do have influence. Start conversations, ask questions, and share what you know with your fellow gym buddies. The more we talk about reducing plastic in our fitness spaces, the more gyms will feel the pressure to clean up their act.
But it does not stop there. To really get gains, we need to get plastics out of every part of our environment. We can start by signing EARTHDAY.ORG’s petition for a Global Plastics Treaty to help push for change on a global scale!
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