Working out has been a big part of my routine since my late teens. Just from gym sessions and evening runs, I’ve accumulated a ton of sportswear without ever thinking of what it’s actually made of. It wasn’t until I discovered plastic-free swimwear (check out the article here) that the lightbulb moment happened: my workout clothes are the exact same. That realization is kind of embarrassing. Here I am, someone who cares about the environment, completely ignoring the plastic lI wrap around myself several times a week.
Your gym clothes are plastic, so what?
Walk into any sporting goods store today, and you’ll find that nearly every piece of workout clothing is made from polyester, nylon or spandex. These synthetic fabrics dominate the activewear market because they tick all the technical boxes: they wick moisture away from skin, stretch with your movements and dry quickly after washing. Many brands even proudly advertise their use of recycled plastic bottles in their athletic wear. From a surface-level perspective, this seems like a good solution, right? After all, what could be more sustainable than giving new life to waste plastic?
But here’s where the logic fails: workout clothes get washed more frequently than almost any other items in our wardrobes. Every single wash cycle releases thousands of microplastic fibers into our water systems. Eventually, they make their way into the ocean, into marine life, and back up the food chain to our dinner plates. Considering that you wash your gym clothes after every use, sometimes multiple times per week, the environmental impact becomes staggering. Recycled polyester might feel like an eco-friendly choice, but the amount of fibers it releases is even higher!
Not just Environmental Concerns
The problem with activewear extends into health territory. Synthetic fabrics can trap bacteria and odors in ways that natural fibers simply don’t. Ever noticed that your favorite workout shirt smells funky, even after a thorough wash? That’s bacteria and that buildup isn’t just unpleasant; it can contribute to skin irritation, acne or fungal infections, especially when you’re wearing these non-breathable materials against sweaty skin for extended periods.
There’s also growing research into the potential internal health risks of wearing synthetic clothing directly against our skin. Think hormonal disruptions, infertility issues, developmental problems in babies, cancers. While the jury is still out on definitive conclusions, it raises valid questions.
Practical Solutions for a Plastic-Free Workout
Completely eliminating synthetic fibers from your gym wardrobe might not be realistic for everyone, but significantly reducing them is absolutely achievable. Cotton t-shirts and jogging pants can handle many workouts perfectly well, especially for activities like weightlifting, walking, or gentle yoga. If you’re a runner, cotton leggings are a thing . Even gymshark has them! Hemp and bamboo are also great options considering they are antibacterial. Recently, I heard that leggings are out and wide-leg workout pants are making a major comeback. That’s a great opportunity to choose natural fiber options that provide comfort and breathability.
For those ready to invest in dedicated (mostly) plastic free activewear, several brands are available:
At the end of the day, choosing plastic-free gym clothes is about making better choices where possible. Every cotton t-shirt and every natural fiber yoga pant you choose over polyester is a step toward reducing microplastic pollution.
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