Plogging: The Scandinavian Workout You Should Try This Earth Day
| 2 min read
Plogging—not to be confused with good old jogging—is the latest and greatest way to combine your love for running and desire to help the environment. Never heard of plogging before? You’re not alone. The concept originated in Sweden, so it’s just starting to make its way around the U.S. That said, it might just be the perfect way to be active while celebrating the next upcoming Earth Day. Here’s what to know before you give it a try:
What is plogging?
Rather than just put on your headphones and hit the road, plogging encourages runners to carry a trash bag and collect and dispose of any litter they may spot along the way. Not only is it good for you as a form of fitness and outdoor recreation, it also helps keep the planet clean!
How did it start?
The word “plogging” is a combination of jogging and the Swedish word plocka app which means “pick up.” Plogging started getting popular there about a year ago and soon joined other trends reaching the United States from Scandinavia, like hygge and death cleaning.
How do I plog properly?
To start, get your heart rate up with a moderate jog or run. Once you reach a good, steady pace, start to look for litter on the ground. If you see something, lunge down to pick it up and toss it in your bag. It’s estimated that you can burn nearly 300 calories in a 30-minute plogging session. Not a big runner? Do the same activity while on a brisk walk. When you get home, make sure to recycle your collected litter properly. Read up here to know what to grab and how to sort it after your plog.
Are there any downsides?
There are a few, but they’re small. If you’re an avid runner, slowing down and stopping may interrupt the normal flow you get into during a workout. Additionally, you might not spot a ton of trash if you’re plogging in a suburban area (but that’s a good thing since it means there’s not a lot of litter!). You also have to be okay with carrying a garbage bag and having it fill up as you run—but that doesn’t seem to be a deterrent for early-adopters of the activity.
Do you think you’ll try plogging this earth day? Let us know in the comments!
Photo credit: Pexels
