For all of the environmentally-conscious fitness addicts who love to multi-task, there’s a new trend spreading across the globe! It has become so popular that people have given it a name – plogging. This new hobby originated in Sweden and involves picking up garbage as you go for a run.
The word “plogging” is a combination of “pluck” and “jogging”. How it works: as you run, you carry a lightweight bag and pick up trash along your path. And then, of course, you put a picture up on social media to inspire others to beautify their parks and neighborhoods while they get in shape!
But is it really effective as a workout? Metro’s “resident fitness expert,” Miranda Larbi said that adding bending down and picking stuff up to your exercise routine can be to your extreme benefit. She said:
Plogging shares some characteristics with interval training, which uses recovery to improve fitness and fat burning. It’s also got elements of mobility training – reaching down to pick up rubbish will extend the range of motion that you’re using.
The movement has picked up momentum because it is a really fun thing to do in a group. For example, in Paris there is an entire plogging community that organizes events; which means the participants are exercising, helping the Earth, and making new friends all at the same time. The plogging trend is genuinely motivating on so many levels.
And now, Michelob ULTRA has even jumped in on the action with their Team ULTRA – a group of 95 runners who will join the beer brand for the 2019 TCS New York City Marathon. This year the spots for the team will be awarded to runners with a passion for supporting the environment. They’ll be able to participate in the NYC Marathon and receive a once-in-a-lifetime trip to New York with an all-inclusive round-trip flight and hotel. They have to plog their way onto Team ULTRA for the TCS New York City Marathon! The chosen runners will have to incorporate plogging into their fitness routines as well as share what they are doing to help make the environment a better place.
The idea arose recently, as Michelob ULTRA just began its partnership with Keep America Beautiful®, a leading national nonprofit that inspires and educates people to take action to improve and beautify their communities. By adding plogging to the training experience of Team ULTRA, their runners will do good for the environment while doing good for themselves – then motivate others to do the same.
Azania Andrews, Vice President of Michelob ULTRA, said in a press release:
We are proud to bring Team ULTRA to the TCS New York City Marathon for the third year, giving 95 of the more than 50,000 runners who are unable to secure a bib a chance to take part in the world’s greatest marathon. We are excited to add Keep America Beautiful to the Team ULTRA family connecting our brand’s commitment to the enjoyment of running with Anheuser-Busch’s longstanding commitment to environmental responsibility.
Bali Lambie-Boyer, Senior Development Director, Strategic Initiatives, Keep America Beautiful., added:
Plogging reduces litter, improves recycling and beautifies communities, all of which are core to our mission. We’ve recognized plogging as a way to better the Earth while bettering yourself since it first made its way to the U.S. in 2018 and are thrilled to join forces with Michelob ULTRA and Team ULTRA to make the plogging movement even bigger in America.
So if you happen to be an observer of the NYC Marathon this year, be sure to cheer a little extra if you see someone sporting one of the 95 coveted “Team Ultra” bibs — because that means a climate hero just ran by!
