When heading to the gym, it’s important to carry a well-packed bag. You need to have everything ready so that you can make the best out of each second spent exercising and working out.
But what workout essentials do you need to carry in your gym bag? In today’s post, we will talk about 8 must-have workout essentials for both men and women. Let’s dive in!
Deodorant & Towels
Sweating is an inevitable part of working out, and things can get pretty unpleasant if you don’t take measures to manage your perspiration levels. So, always use deodorant and carry it in the gym bag too. You can get the best sustainable deodorant in UK by AKT, Wild, Fussy, and several other brands.
Deodorants are substances that mask or prevent body odor. However, since deodorants are non-refillable and many of them come in plastic packaging, they have a lot of negative impacts on the environment.
To avoid this, get sustainable deodorants with eco-friendly packaging and cruelty-free composition. Besides deodorant, you should also have at least two microfiber towels in the gym bag. They will allow you to keep the extra sweating and moisture in control.
Sanitizer
Covid-19 has taught us one thing again and again; sanitizers are not an additional hygiene product, but they are an important part of hygiene. If you want to keep yourself safe, you need to carry a sanitizer everywhere you go – especially at gyms.
Tens or even hundreds of people use the same workout equipment as you. The gym management may clean the machines and tools daily. But they don’t wipe them with disinfectant swabs after each person uses them. So, it’s best to carry a pocket-size sanitizer to get rid of germs.
Water Bottle
When working out, your muscles will exhaust and perspire. The excess amount of water leaving the body in the form of sweat will cause dehydration. You need to replace these body fluids, or else you will suffer from cramping, fatigue, and soreness.
According to the American council, you should drink at least 2 to 3 cups (0.71 l) of water before working out and 1 cup (0.24 l) of water during a workout. You should also consume 16 to 24 ounces of water for every pound lost after the workout.
Hence, always carry a refillable water bottle in your gym bag. If the water in the bottle finishes, you can refill it from the water coolers at the gym.
Headphones
What’s the fun of working out without some motivating music? If you’re a music enthusiast, make sure to pack in a set of high-quality headphones in the gym bag.
You can select any type of headphones. However, we recommend wireless headphones because they don’t get tangled. You can exercise without worrying about the cords and connectivity.
Shampoo & Bodywash
Most gyms have shower stalls to clean up before you head back home. While there will be plenty of water to rinse yourself, there won’t be travel-friendly shampoos and soap bars available. So, it’s important to take your own shower products.
With that said, showering at the gym doesn’t mean you can follow the 5-steps skincare routine that you do at home. Time’s short, and there are many people who want to shower. Quickly clean yourself with shampoo and body wash to make way for others.
A Pair of Clothes
If you decide to take a shower at the gym, having a pair of clean clothes are mandatory. You can pack in anything that is convenient and comfortable. However, make sure it doesn’t take up too much space in the bag.
You can ensure that by rolling the clothes and storing them in organizers. Don’t forget to throw in a pair of flip-flops too!
Healthy Snacks
It doesn’t matter whether you do a light or intense workout. Hunger is going to hit you like a storm, and you will devour anything within your range (self-control is a little hard, especially when you love food!).
To avoid wasting your efforts, keep healthy snacks in your gym bag that you can eat on the way home. We recommend eating nuts, dried fruit, protein, and granola bars. You can also make yourself protein shakes if you carry some protein powder.
Notebook
Not everyone will like to carry this workout essential, but it’s important. If you’re serious about building your body and maintaining it, keep track of what you do at the gym. There are three things that you should mention in your notebook:
- Time and date of the workout
- What do you plan to do at the gym on the day? This includes reps, sets, etc.
- What did you do at the gym? (It will help measure how well you are sticking to your planned routine.)
- Current body weight (this will help measure how much weight you lost during the workout)
If you work with a fitness trainer, ask them about what else you should record. They will also guide you on what changes to make in your routine for better results.
