Carbon Footprint of Gym Membership: Are Green Gym Membership Emissions Less?

Georgette Kilgore headshot, wearing 8 Billion Trees shirt with forest in the background.Written by Georgette Kilgore

Carbon Offsets Credits | January 30, 2025

Person at a gym wonders about the carbon footprint of gym membership and if going to a green gym would be better for the planet.

There tends to be a large focus on the negative things we do that affect our climate, but what about the carbon footprint of gym membership?

Healthy personal habits can generate emissions too.

According to the Centers for Disease Control,1 approximately 1 in 4 adults over the age of 18 participate in some type of regular exercise.

It’s also reported that over 66 million Americans belong to fitness clubs or have a gym membership.2

Have you ever stopped to think about how the carbon footprint of gym membership affects our planet and how your exercise routines have an impact on the environment?

Although the gym you go to will impact how much emissions your membership will generate (for example, if you walk there are drive and whether or not the gym is ‘fancy’ with lots of monitors and other tech), we can estimate that a gym membership generates approximately 2000 pound of emissions.

However, that number can be higher or lower based on a number of factors, this article explains what causes the carbon footprint of gym membership and why.. and how you can reduce yours.

Carbon Footprint of Gym Membership

In an attempt to feel and look better about themselves, millions of people travel to gyms every single day.

Fitness centers provide access to expensive exercise equipment and training tools that may not be accessible or affordable for the average person at home.

Graphics highlighting the environmental costs of gyms, focusing on energy use, transportation, waste generation, and fast fashion brands.

Many gyms also employ personal trainers and fitness instructors who offer customized workout plans and guidance on how to lose weight, how to stay motivated, and how to get in shape. They can also be an excellent place to socialize with others who have the same goals.

Have you ever stopped to think about the environmental impact your gym membership has? From electricity-generating gym equipment to water usage in showers, pools, and hot tubs, gyms contribute to carbon emissions in a variety of ways.

The Environmental Costs of Gyms (Carbon Footprint of Gym Membership)

  • Energy Use: It’s no secret that gyms use outrageous amounts of energy to power treadmills,19 ellipticals, and weight machines. Gyms also use overhead lights and HVAC systems to create comfortable and safe workout environments, both of which increase their energy consumption.
    Large 24-hour gyms pay between $63,000 and $68,000 a year in electric bills,7 which is typically more than most restaurants pay.12
  • Transportation: Most gym members travel back and forth to the gym in their cars, which creates emissions. Commuting by car also creates pollution and traffic congestion, which also impacts the environment negatively.
  • Waste Generation: Have you ever counted how many plastic bottles are left lying around the gym? These plastic bottles stay in our landfills for a lifetime or longer, creating damaging greenhouse gases.
    Other items, like disposable toiletries, only add to the waste.
  • Fast Fashion Brands: Many of those cute workout outfits that tend to be a trend among those who work out in the gym contain polyester and Lycra,15 which takes hundreds of years to break down. As they do degrade, they release methane-causing greenhouse gases.11

How Gyms Can Reduce Their Carbon Footprint

Studies have shown in recent years, business leaders believe in going green and implementing sustainability measures within their companies.

In 2022, approximately 80 percent of all corporate businesses and approximately 98 percent of businesses on the Standard and Poor’s 500 (S&P 500) stock market index have sustainability goals in place.9,10

A modern gym interior featuring a variety of cardio and strength training gym equipment, including treadmills, stationary bikes, and weight machines, all arranged in a spacious, well-lit area with large windows.

(Image: lewisgoodphotos23)

By implementing sustainability initiatives, such as switching to organic cleaning products, gyms can reduce their own carbon footprints and minimize their environmental impact. Some of these initiatives include:

  • Energy Efficiency: Investing in energy-efficient lighting and equipment reduces energy consumption and is one of the biggest ways gyms can lower their carbon footprint. Instead of leaving the lights on 24/7, motion sensors, timers, and LED lighting ensure systems run only when necessary.
    While it’s important to create a comfortable environment, it’s ok for gyms to adjust the temperature so it’s not freezing cold in the summer.
  • Renewable Energy: Renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, provide an alternative way to meet the gym’s electric needs. Gyms may choose to install solar panels on the roof or by purchasing renewable energy credits from local renewable energy providers.
  • Water Conservation: Low-flow faucets, shower heads, and toilets all help reduce water usage.
    Gym owners should also pay close attention to their water bills for spikes in usage, which often indicate a plumbing leak. Any plumbing issues should be addressed immediately to reduce water waste.
    Also, encourage members to bring their own towels to reduce laundry loads.
  • Waste Management: Like all companies, gyms create a lot of waste every day. Instead of offering plastic water bottles, provide members with purchasable reusable tumblers or encourage members to bring their own bottles.
    Also, provide separate bins for recyclables to ensure proper disposal.
  • Green Building Design: New gyms or existing gyms undergoing renovations should choose energy-efficient building materials, efficient HVAC systems, natural lighting, and sustainable landscaping. Sod-covered roods also help reduce cooling costs and pollution.
  • Active Transportation: Gyms should encourage members to walk, cycle, or choose public transportation methods when traveling back and forth to workouts. Outside the gym, managers may provide bike racks to accommodate cyclists.
    As a further incentive, gyms may offer discounts and rewards to those who use sustainable methods of transportation.
  • Carbon Offsetting: Investing in carbon offsetting projects helps counteract the gym’s carbon footprint. There are multiple choices through 8 Billion Trees, including a gym mebership carbon offset or the Earth Day carbon offset membership.

The ESG Report

Also known as the Environmental, Social, and Governance Report,20 the ESG is a comprehensive document that gives stakeholders information on how a company addresses sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and ethical governance practices.6,8

Some companies disclose this information to consumers and employees.

Types of Exercise Without Increasing Your Carbon Footprint

Even a home workout using virtual training, apps, and online platforms creates CO2 emissions, but there are several ways you can get in a workout without significantly increasing your carbon footprint.13

Outdoor Exercise and Home Indoor Exercise

Outdoor activities that don’t require any type of specialized equipment provide a great workout without contributing to the carbon footprint of gym membership. These activities include hiking, biking, running, and even outdoor yoga.

Other ways to get in a workout outdoors are by joining a local sports team, such as your office softball team, a local walking club, or a tennis group. You can also make it a family affair by taking the kids to the park to ride bikes or take a long walk.

Graphic that outlines how gyms can reduce their carbon footprint by investing in energy-efficient lighting and equipment, using renewable energy, installing low-flow water fixtures, encouraging members to bring their own towels, considering green building designs, and promoting active transportation.

Local shelters also need volunteers to walk the dogs. You’ll contribute to a good cause while getting in your steps.

When the weather outside is too hot or too cold or you’re experiencing inclement weather conditions, you can take your workout indoors. Bodyweight exercises like squats, pushups, lunges, planks, and burpees provide an excellent alternative to treadmills and weight machines.

Eco-Friendly Gym Equipment

If you feel you get a better workout when using some type of equipment, consider options that use minimal amounts of energy or are eco-friendly.

For example, resistance bands, jump ropes, and eco-friendly yoga mat assist you in your fitness journey while helping reduce your carbon footprint.

Solar-Powered or Manual Equipment

If you do use gym equipment at home, consider purchasing recycled gym equipment or manually operated machines.

Solar-powered treadmills and ellipticals also provide alternatives to electric equipment.

Virtual Workouts

Online workout videos and fitness apps provide virtual workouts, so you can exercise in the comfort of your own home without needing to travel to a gym. While these apps still require electricity, you’ll reduce carbon emissions from transportation.

Carbon Footprint of Gym Membership: Doing Your Part

If you’re one of the millions of fit-conscious people who enjoy the atmosphere, support, and services gym memberships provide, but you’re concerned about the impact you make on the environment, there are multiple steps you can take that make it possible to go to the gym while still reducing your carbon footprint.14

Active Transportation

If you live close to the gym, consider walking or riding your bike instead of driving. Carpool to the gym with a friend or group of friends, or choose public transportation.

Choose Reusable Products

Each year, Americans purchase approximately 50 billion water bottles,17 which introduces millions of tons of plastics into our environment.

Avoid purchasing bottled water from the vending machine or reaching for a bottle from the gym fridge. Instead, bring a reusable water bottle.

By using a reusable bottle, you’ll save an average of 156 plastic bottles a year.

A pink reusable water bottle with a convenient handle and transparent window sits on a reflective surface.

(Image: ClassicallyPrinted24)

Help your gym save resources by bringing your own towel for the shower.

Also, consider wearing sustainable clothing. Opt for workout materials made from organic cotton, hemp, recycled polyester, or bamboo.

Donate your old clothes to a charity and purchase new workout gear second-hand. Many thrift stores and second-hand clothing stores sell gently used workout clothes, which keeps them out of the landfill.

Limit Resource Usage

After your workout, limit your time in the shower to no more than 8 minutes,18 and choose zero-waste shampoo and soap products.

If you enjoy joining marathons with your gym, race virtually instead of traveling to faraway locations and search for eco-friendly races.

Go Paperless

It’s common to go paperless with your bank statements and other business correspondence, but you can also opt out of unwanted marketing materials from your gym. See if they offer email or text newsletters instead.

Also, as tempting as free merchandise can be, say no to those free t-shirts, which require a variety of resources for production.

Calculating Your Carbon Footprint

Calculating your carbon footprint involves assessing the amount of greenhouse gases that are emitted directly and indirectly as a result of your daily activities and lifestyle choices. While it can be extremely challenging to get an accurate number, a carbon emissions calculator can help you get a close measurement.21

Knowing how to calculate carbon footprint manually may help you easily identify areas where you need more help. The following is a general guide to a manual carbon footprint calculation.

  • Identify Emission Sources: Make a list of the activities you take part in that contribute to your carbon footprint. This may include how much electricity you use, your food choices, travel habits, how much garbage you throw away, and how often you shop.
  • Gather Data: Research how to quantify the emissions associated with each of your daily activities. Review your utility bills, record your transportation use, and then use an online footprint calculator to estimate your emissions for each activity.
  • Convert Activity to CO2 Equivalent: Express the emissions from each activity in terms of its carbon dioxide equivalent. Emissions factors or conversion factors can be found through reputable sources, such as the GHG Management Institute.22
  • Calculate Emissions: Use emission factors or conversion factors to calculate the emissions.
  • Summarize Your Results: Add up the emissions from all your activities to obtain your total carbon footprint.

Offset Your CO2 Emissions

Use an app or online tools to offset your CO2 emissions.

Encourage Your Fitness Center To Make the Switch

If your gym is behind in making the switch to greener pastures, convince them to take the initiative.

Green Gyms and Sports Facilities

If you’re currently looking for a new gym or you’re interested in making the switch to more responsible facilities, two chains that publish sustainability information include Lifetime Fitness and Planet Fitness.

You can also opt for virtual memberships from sustainable companies, such as OneTrue Virtual Fitness and Apple Fitness+.16

What Is a Carbon Footprint?

There’s no way to explore environmental concerns without delving into the concept of a carbon footprint. While you’ve probably heard of the concept, many people aren’t completely sure what it is or how we create one.

So, what exactly is a carbon footprint? Those greenhouse gases you produce when you buy something, eat something, ride in a car or even spend an hour on the treadmill at the gym release carbon and other emissions into the atmosphere.

Your carbon footprint is the total sum of these emissions. They tend to vary from one person to another.

The average person in the United States produces around 16 tons of carbon dioxide each year,4 for a grand total of 6 million tons of CO2 for the entire country. This is 4 times as much as the average person worldwide.

A man doing an outdoor exercise on a concrete path lined with large trees that provide shade.

(Image: Thanakorn Jaroensup (framepersecC)25

Only one other country produces more, China, at 14 million tons per year.3

Additional activities that increase your carbon footprint include:5

  • Playing video games
  • Turning on your lights
  • Showering
  • Driving to work
  • Going on a shopping spree
  • Washing and drying your clothes
  • Taking a vacation
  • Working out
  • Drinking bottled water

Why Does It Matter?

Over the past 20 years, climate change has become a popular topic for debate and one of the top issues of our time. Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures, sea levels, extreme weather events, changes in ecosystems, and the overall levels of carbon dioxide in our oceans.

You may notice this mostly in the summer when temperatures stay uncomfortably above 100 degrees for days on end, or in the winter when you see large amounts of snow and plunging temperatures that are uncharacteristic for your area.

While it’s understandable for the climate across the earth to change constantly, one thing you may not realize is that every activity we choose as humans has a huge impact on our climate. Daily activities produce greenhouse gases, more specifically carbon dioxide (CO2) and other emissions, such as methane and nitrous oxide (N2O), which contribute to global warming.

Also referred to as your carbon footprint, these activities include everything from how you heat and cool your house, how you prepare the food you eat, and how you travel from one place to another. Not only do these emissions contribute to a growing air and water pollution problem, but they are also one of the primary reasons for climate change.

So why does your carbon footprint even matter? A carbon footprint is a quantitative tool that helps raise awareness about the environmental consequences of each of our actions.

Even when you’re trying to make health decisions, such as joining a gym and working out every day, your actions have environmental consequences.

By being mindful of the carbon footprint of gym membership, you can get fit while making a significant difference in the health and well-being of our planet.

Frequently Asked Questions About Carbon Footprint of Gym Membership

What Contributes to the Carbon Footprint of Gym Membership?

The carbon footprint of gym membership is influenced by many different factors, including energy and water usage, how much waste members and the facility generate, transportation to and from the facility, and the lifecycle of the gym equipment.

How Can I Reduce the Carbon Footprint of My Gym Membership?

Reduce your gym’s carbon footprint by choosing eco-friendly facilities, using active modes of transportation, bringing your own towel or water bottle, and supporting gyms that prioritize sustainability.

Do Different Types of Workouts Have Different Carbon Footprints?

Yes! The carbon footprint differs depending on the intensity and duration of the exercise, the type of equipment a person uses, and what type of energy is used to operate the equipment.

How Can Gyms Reduce Their Carbon Footprint?

Gyms reduce their carbon footprint by being proactive in saving energy and water, by promoting alternative forms of transportation, and by providing educational materials to staff and members about sustainability.

Can Home or Virtual Workouts Reduce the Carbon Footprint of Physical Fitness Activities?

Home and virtual workouts may potentially have a lower carbon footprint than gym activities, but the impact depends on energy consumption and other criteria.

Learn More About Carbon Footprint of Gym Membership

References

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2Health & Fitness Association. (2022, June 20). U.S. Health Club Membership Reaches Over 66 Million Americans. Health & Fitness Association. Retrieved June 3, 2024, from <https://www.healthandfitness.org/about/media-center/press-releases/u-s-health-club-membership-reaches-over-66-million-americans/>

3ClimateTrade. (2021, May 17). Which countries are the world’s biggest carbon polluters? ClimateTrade. Retrieved June 3, 2024, from <https://climatetrade.com/which-countries-are-the-worlds-biggest-carbon-polluters/>

4University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. (2024). What’s Your Carbon Footprint? UCAR Center for Science Education. Retrieved June 3, 2024, from <https://scied.ucar.edu/learning-zone/climate-solutions/carbon-footprint>

5Oregon State University. (2024). Carbon Footprint Activity. OSU Bioenergy Education Initiative. Retrieved June 3, 2024, from <https://agsci.oregonstate.edu/sites/agsci.oregonstate.edu/files/bioenergy/carbon-footprint-activity-v1.3.pdf>

6Workiva. (2024). ESG Reporting 101: What You Need To Know. Workiva. Retrieved June 3, 2024, from <https://www.workiva.com/resources/esg-reporting-101-what-you-need-know>

7Special Strong. (2024). Cost to start a gym. Special Strong. Retrieved June 3, 2024, from <https://www.specialstrong.com/cost-to-start-a-gym/>

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11Safdie, S. (2023, November 17). Going to the Gym is Good, But is it Green? Greenly. Retrieved June 3, 2024, from <https://greenly.earth/en-us/blog/ecology-news/going-to-the-gym-is-good-but-is-it-green>

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13Schwartz, S. (2023, March 7). Good, Better, Best: Cutting Carbon From Your Workout. Earth911. Retrieved June 3, 2024, from <https://earth911.com/living-well-being/good-better-best-cutting-carbon-from-your-workout>

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23Treadmill Workout Fitness Gym Photo by lewisgoodphotos. (2020, April 12) / Pixabay Content License. Resized and Changed Format. Pixabay. Retrieved 2024, June 3, from <https://pixabay.com/photos/treadmill-workout-fitness-gym-5030966/>

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