What to wear to work out while keeping the planet healthy

Chances are, your favourite exercise attire is synthetic, made from petroleum-based fibres like nylon, spandex and polyester.

- Susan Shain

NEW YORK - Materials that do not exactly scream "climate friendly".

Natural fibres have issues too. Growing cotton can use huge amounts of water and pesticides, the sheep that give wool emit methane, and processing bamboo can produce a lot of pollution. Altogether, the apparel and footwear industries account for more than 8 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

So, if you want to keep your body fit while also keeping the planet healthy, what should you do?

CONSIDER RECYCLED FIBRES There is a lot of plastic polluting the land and water. Some companies have capitalised on that, melting down plastic waste and extruding it into yarn.

Textile sciences professor Karen Leonas at North Carolina State University said those materials could be a good choice for workout clothes.

"Any time you can find something that contains recycled fibres, that's definitely a plus," she added. "Whether you're looking at climate, water, solid waste or even social sustainability issues."

Mr Lewis Perkins, president of the non-profit Apparel Impact Institute, also said he liked recycled fibres. But he cautioned that they are a "transitional solution", as he believes the ultimate goal should be reducing the prevalence of single-use plastic in the first place.

LOOK FOR CERTIFICATIONS If you are hoping for a blanket answer about which materials are good or bad, Dr Leonas said, it is not that simple. "I can be the devil's advocate on any fibre," she added. "There are trade-offs with all of it."