When you visit the gym regularly, it’s important that you have the right stuff – and not just physically! It can be a real pain when you arrive at the gym and realize everything you need is actually back at the house. So we’ve put together a list of essentials that you should consider for your gym bag and if you keep the list in mind, you will probably never be caught out again.
1. The Important Stuff
You should always make sure that you have your membership card, fob or whatever you were given when you joined the gym. Most gyms won’t let you in without it! Try to find a specific pocket in your gym bag that you can keep it in but if this isn’t possible, then keep it in your purse or wallet.
Another important essential is a padlock. It’s common for lockers at the gym to not have padlocks provided and you can’t keep your eyes on your things at all time – especially if you’re busy concentrating on that last set of crunches! Taking your own with you will put your mind at ease, especially if you try to keep as many valuables as possible at home.
2. The Comfy Stuff
Working out can be really tough. No matter what you’re doing, whether it’s yoga, swimming or lifting weights, you need to make sure you have the right gear.
Your gym clothes should be comfortable and supportive in the right places. There are a huge range of styles out there but ultimately you want something that you can move freely in and you feel good wearing.
Here’s a rough list of the workout clothes that you might need:
● T-shirt or other top
● Hoodie
● Shorts, jogging bottoms or leggings
● Trainers
● Socks
3. The Workout Stuff
Finally, there are some things you’ll need in your bag of tricks that are specific to you or the exercises you like to do.
A foam roller can be good for working out knots in your muscles, while a knee support can strengthen the joint while you use the weights.
There are knee sleeves on Amazon, if that’s what you’re looking for. Speaking of weights, weight-lifting gloves will prevent painful calluses!
4. The Cleaning Stuff
It’s inevitable. You’re working out as hard as you can… you’re going to sweat. And you might need to be somewhere important afterwards, like work.
Work is not the place to smell as if you’ve just been to the gym!
Make sure you have a stash of personal care products in your bag, so that you can get on with your day. You could take:
● A towel
● Shampoo, conditioner and a hairbrush
● Deodorant and perfume/aftershave
● A razor and moisturizer
● Make-up and make-up remover, if necessary
Think about your routine and how it fits in with the rest of your day, then go from there.
5. The Healthy Stuff
There isn’t much point in having an awesome gym routine if your diet doesn’t match!
Make sure you have a water bottle with you, no matter your workout. It’s important to hydrate properly when you exercise, otherwise you run the risk of dizziness or headaches. You should be having between 6 and 8 cups of water every day minimum.
Try to find bottles that are BPA-free, or go for alternatives to plastic. They’ll be safe to refill as often as you like.
Another essential for your gym bag is snacks! Healthy ones, obviously… Things like protein bars or protein shakes can be an excellent way to help your body mend muscle but fresh fruit or granola bars are good ideas too.
Just make sure that you don’t forget your snacks are in there, you don’t want them spoiling!
6. The Fun Stuff
There are a range of gadgets out there that can help you push harder and stay on track with your workout.
Smartphones and smartwatches are excellent. They can monitor your heart rate and your steps for the day, as well as your progress overall. Seeing how well you’re doing on a graph and how much better you are now than a month ago can be the motivation that spurs you through the slog.
Music can be a godsend for managing a tough exercise routine. So make sure that you have headphones of some kind in your gym bag so you can enjoy some powerful or fast-paced tracks to get you through the treadmill!
With all these things in your gym bag, you’ll be ready for just about anything!
