With environmental issues featured prominently in today’s news, it is no wonder we hear more about companies trying to “go green,” including health clubs and fitness centers.
In articles I’ve read, some health clubs have gone as far as using recycled soda pop bottles to create a carpet that looks and feels like a real rug. Others have constructed floor and counter tiles made from the remains of bathtubs and toilets that were dumped in landfills, or from glass collected from curbside recycling programs. Many are using “green” flooring options made from recycled rubber and wood floors.
While the innovative alternatives mentioned above make sense environmentally, they also take time and planning to put in place. However, you can implement other solutions fairly quickly to help your club get on the road to becoming green.
Your Pilates or yoga program is a great place to start thinking about green options within your club. Both are mind-body forms of exercise and have always been about gaining awareness of yourself, your body and how you move. Instructors and participants have chosen Pilates and yoga as natural solutions to improving their health. For these people, going green is an attitude toward living that is already likely to be top of mind. They’ll truly appreciate and support any related improvements you can make at your facility.
Here are quick-and-easy tips on making your Pilates or yoga area more environmentally friendly:
• Purchase equipment from environmentally friendly manufacturers: Pilates equipment companies use as many environmentally friendly manufacturing procedures as they can. For instance, some companies use only sustainable, harvested lumber (with no tropical deforestation) for their Reformers. (There are also specialized machines that maximize the highest yield when cutting wood, greatly minimizing waste.) Plus, companies can use materials for their blue foam rollers that last three to five times longer than other rollers. This leads to less landfill waste, as the products remain in use for a much longer period of time. Additionally, many yoga companies manufacture mats made of non-toxic, natural materials like jute and natural rubber. You might be surprised to learn that it doesn’t always cost more to go green. If you are about to purchase equipment, talk to your manufacturer and find out how their products are made.
• Purchase “green” cleaning alternatives: Clean your equipment upholstery with natural or organic alternatives like tea tree oil. It is a natural antibacterial and has a pleasant scent. Tea tree oil can be found at most health and natural food stores. However, it is strong and should be diluted by at least a 4:1 ratio of water to oil. You can easily control any unwanted fragrance residue by wiping the disinfected area periodically with clean water on a soft rag. Use other non-chemical cleaning supplies for your floors, windows, walls, and bathrooms. (Simple Green® is a great non-toxic, biodegradable, non-flammable, all-purpose cleaner.) And, wash mats with a nontoxic soap.
• Find low-energy alternatives: Install low-watt bulbs for your overhead lighting. Or, as a lighting alternative, try using salt lamps. Salt lamps have a warm, soothing glow and emit negative ions that are healthy to breathe. You might also try non-petroleum candles like those made of beeswax or soy.
• Other green tips: Add plants to the area. Plants help clean the surrounding air and add a nice mind-body element. Also, use recycled, unbleached paper for all of your printing needs (flyers, brochures, etc.).
Good for the earth – and your profitsYou may think that implementing these tips will be expensive and out of your budget range. But, in the long run, many of these solutions will probably save your club money and lower your energy bills. They will also increase your member satisfaction and possibly raise your program’s retention rates.
In fact, according to an article in Madison Magazine, research in business ethics and social responsibility has found that environmentally ethical companies are likely to have better financial performance than their less ethical peers. Why? Because customers generally prefer purchasing from socially responsible organizations, and high-quality employees prefer working for them.
In addition, a recent study by the University of Oregon examined the economic and environmental performance of 243 Fortune 500 companies. They found that greener companies tend to promote innovation, conserve valuable resources and enhance their reputation with both prospective employees and potential customers. The study also found that companies with superior environmental performance had higher returns on investment compared to their competitors.
So, take a little time, invest a little money, and make your mind-body area a little greener. Your members will love it and eventually, so will your bottom line.
Ken Endelman is the CEO and Founder of Balanced Body. For more information, visit www.pilates.com.
