Part of forming the habit of going to the gym regularly to exercise or forming any habit is having the proper supplies and equipment easily accessible. I am a avid exerciser. I don’t need to trick myself into going to the gym, I just go. It’s always built into my schedule. My bag is always packed with my essentials and has it’s own designated hook in my closet for rest days. What’s in my bag is likely a little different from what’s in your bag. This list will cover the items that should be in everyone’s gym bag.
If you get dressed at home before heading to the gym and return home to shower and change before continuing on with your day or evening, you’ll probably only need a few essentials.
1. Towel (Kudos to you if you go to a gym that supplies towels)
2. Water bottle
3. Music player (iPod, phone)
4. Headphones
5. Headband
6. Hair tie/scrunchi
7. Membership card or fob
If you like to hit the gym straight after work in the evening, in addition to those listed above, you’ll need a few more items.
8. Workout top – tee/tank
9. Workout bottom – shorts/leggings
10. Sports bra
11. Socks
12. Shoes
If you like to hit the gym on your way to work or midday during your lunch break you’ll need the whole shebang. Purchase travel sized supplies or empty plastic bottles to fill with your favorite products.
13. Body wash
14. Wash cloth or pouf
15. Shampoo
16. Conditioner
17. Shower shoes
18. Bath towel
19. Deodorant
20. Hair brush and/or comb
21. Clean undergarments
22. Socks/Stockings
23. Work outfit
24. Work outfit accessories (bracelet/earrings/belt/watch)
25. Dry bag for those sweaty clothes and wet bath towel (I am so jealous of you if you go to a gym where they launder your gym clothes. Yes those gyms are real but I cannot afford that type of membership! If you can, may I have a guest pass, please and thank you?)
Optional items that may or may not be essential, totally depends on the individual. I am obsessed with skin moisture so I always have facial moisturizer and body lotion in my toiletry kit on days when I need to shower at the gym. On the other hand, I don’t even own a flat iron or curling iron.
26. Weight gloves
27. Razor
28. Hair product
29. Body lotion
30. Facial moisturizer
31. Make-up
32. Hair dryer (Kudos to you if you go to a gym that provides hair dryers, lucky devil)
33. Flat iron
34. Curling iron
35. Feminine necessities
36. Toothbrush
37. Toothpaste
38. Perfume/cologne
39. Fitness tracker (FitBit, Alta, Garmin)
40. Athletic tape
41. Weight belt
42. Wrist wraps
43. Protein powder
Extra essentials that I keep in my gym bag.
44. Spare contact lenses
45. Workout journal
46. Pen
47. Extra pair of socks
48. Snacks (Nuts/protein bar, anything that has a long shelf life)
49. Wet wipes
50. Gum
51. Chap stick
Did I overlook anything? What is a must have essential in your gym bag?