For everyone who likes going to the gym, packing the gym bag is definitely a part of a routine. What goes inside, what stays out? Some people also keep their gym bag pre-packed in their apartment, so they only take it once they decide to go and pump some iron.
However, if you’re a newbie in this department, you might not know what all the gym bag essentials are. Also, what if you want to hit another gym and you forget a certain item? Take a look at this checklist just to make sure you’re taking everything with you.
Shoes
First of all, of course, we have shoes, as you cannot commence any workout without them. As far as the shoes are concerned, you need to make sure you are using the most comfortable pair that you own.
Comfortable shoes in the gym are of the utmost importance, because not only will they enhance your performance, but they can prevent injuries as well.
If you don’t own a pair of comfortable and high-quality gym shoes, make sure to invest in a pair as it will definitely pay off. You cannot call yourself a gym rat without proper training shoes.
Towels
Next up, bring your own towels. You will, most often, need 2 towels. Use the smaller towel in the actual gym and between workouts, as nobody wants you to leave your sweat all around the gym and the equipment.
Moreover, it can be quite motivating to put a towel on your face from time to time before or after a difficult exercise. You can use the bigger towel for your showers at the gym –it’s a very good idea to use the showers there as you will feel much better after a workout once you take shower.
Clothes
The clothes are also quite an important element in your gym bag. In order to have the best possible workout, it’s important to wear clothes of the highest quality.
Opting for breathable and comfortable bodybuilding clothing is an excellent idea as it will motivate you to work out, it can look amazing on you and emphasize all of your features, and it is also breathable, which means a lot during the workout.
Of course, you can also opt for compression clothing which can even prevent injuries. Lesson learned? Invest in your gym clothes, it’s very passé to be seen in the gym wearing old shorts and an old T-shirt. Train with style!
Water bottle
Since nobody likes waiting in line at the water fountain, and it’s also very healthy to stay hydrated, another essential in your gym bag should be a good water bottle. This makes it easier to hydrate yourself, which is crucial for a good workout.
There are plenty of water bottles on the market nowadays, so if you’re using a plastic one, make sure that the bottle is made of non-toxic BPA-free plastic.
Music
It’s very shocking how much good music can motivate you to work harder and have an even better workout. This is why it’s always better to bring your own music – something that motivates you the most.
Of course, you can always listen to the music the gym plays, but why would you settle for that when you can make your own killer motivational playlist and play it? If you want to go the extra mile, you can also buy high-quality Bluetooth headphones so that you don’t have to carry your phone or iPod around the gym.
Log
You don’t have to be old-fashioned and bring a piece of paper and a pen to the gym, but it’s always good to note down how much you exercised during the day. It’s 2019, so there are plenty of different apps that can keep track of this instead of you.
Make sure to know which fitness apps are the most popular, stock your phone with them and you’re good to go!
Snacks
A good idea would be to have an energy bar in your gym bag that you will use as either your pre-or post-exercise snack.
The best thing would be to have either a high-carb bar (which should be eaten before a workout) or a high-protein bar (that you should eat after your workout) in your gym bag. It’s always better than eating something completely unhealthy after your successful workout!
Do you have all of these items in your gym bag? If not, now’s the time to change that. Always invest in your workouts, as this can help you become even more motivated, enhance your performance and definitely help you in the process of staying fit and healthy. Good luck!
