7 Essentials That Should Be in Your Gym Bag

Your gym bag is indispensable when you go to the gym, but deciding exactly what to put in it and avoiding missing anything can come with some challenges. If you want to be prepared for the most enjoyable trip to the gym possible, here are the essentials.

Gym Bag Essentials

1. Clothes for Working Out

Unless you want to work out in your casual or office attire, you’ll need some clothes for working out in your gym bag. While you may think the casual outfit you wore to hang out with friends or go to work is sufficient, it’s really best to have designated clothes for working out.

These clothes will take more abuse than most of your other clothes. It is important that they are very breathable and give you plenty of room for movement. You also want to wear shoes that fit you properly and provide great grip to avoid injuries.

2. Towels

Whether you take a shower after your workout or not, you probably get pretty damp working up a sweat. A couple of towels on hand to dry off after a shower or after your workout and a towel or two to wipe your face during the workout can make you a lot more comfortable. Furthermore, being able to dry yourself off on a towel will help you avoid slipping on workout equipment.

3. A Yoga Mat

Stretches are very important after a workout to move blood and nutrients into your muscles to help them recover. Therefore, a yoga mat on which to do stretches is a valuable component of your gym bag equipment. If you’re not sure which stretches you should be doing, Stretch.com is a valuable resource to help you find the best stretches for your needs.

4. Liquids

It is extremely important to stay hydrated when you work out, so plenty of liquids are a necessity. Water is a must, but it may be a good idea to also pack something with electrolytes like Gatorade, especially if you enjoy serious workouts.

When you work out, you don’t just lose water. You also lose essential salts when you sweat, which makes replacing your electrolytes very important.

5. Headphones

Listening to music while you work out can make a huge difference, from making your workout a painful ritual to suffer through into something that could even be fun. Bluetooth headphones are a great way to listen to music at a volume that you choose without bothering your neighbors or being weighed down by wires.

6. Toiletries

If you take a shower after working out, be sure to bring some soap, shampoo, and whatever other essentials you need. If you don’t take a shower, it’s a good idea to bring deodorant and some cleansing wipes to help you clean up after your workout. Whether you have errands to run after a workout or just need to drive home, it will be a lot nicer to do anything after your workout if you clean yourself up a bit.

7. Snacks

The last thing you may want to think about when you are trying to lose weight with a workout are snacks, but healthy food after a workout is a very good idea. Choosing the right snacks after a workout will help your muscles to recover from the micro-tears that occur when your muscles are under strain, so it’s a good idea to include some of these healthy snacks in your gym bag.

What to Do With Your Gym Bag While You Work Out

Once you’ve stocked your gym bag with all of your essentials, your next question may be exactly what you should do with your gym bag while you’re working out. After all, you have some valuable things in there, whether you have expensive tennis shoes or valuable Bluetooth speakers. Here are a few ideas about what to do with your gym bag while you’re working out:

• Keep it in a locker. Many gyms provide a locker for the purpose of giving you somewhere to keep your gym bag while you work out. Sometimes they are provided free as a service of the gym and sometimes they are available for an extra charge.
• Keep it in your trunk. The trunk of your car may be a safe place for you to store your gym bag while you work out, but be careful that your car doesn’t get too hot for the things that you have stored in your bag.
• Keep it by your side with a motion alarm. Keeping your bag next to you is convenient, but it also brings with it the risk that someone could steal it when you’re not paying attention. A motion alarm device in your bag can be the perfect solution since it will be set off if somebody tries to take the bag.

Enjoy a Well-Stocked Trip to the Gym

Having everything that you need available to you when you go to the gym can make the difference between a very pleasant trip and a lot of frustrations. Make sure that you keep this list handy to ensure that your gym bag has everything you need.