The Workout Nut

If you are a regular gym-goer, packing your gym bag becomes pretty much automatic. Sometimes, all you need to ace a workout session is a pair of sneakers, some workout equipment and a little motivation. Trying out new fitness tools and packing your gym bag with essentials you might need before and after workouts can make things more interesting. But as humans, we tend to forget; a lot. We have all been there – you arrive in your local gym ready for an intense workout session only to realize that you have forgotten your gym shoes, sweat wipes, snacks or any other must-have gym bag essential. Then, it hits you that a checklist could save you all that trouble.

Going to the gym is a habit that becomes enjoyable once you get used to it. Besides helping you keep in shape, working out also elevates your mood. To make the most out of a workout session, you need to be well-prepared and fully equipped. Forgetting half of the items you need for a workout sucks. For any workout junkie who frequents the gym, hitting such workout-related snags is normal.

While selected gyms rent out some workout items at a fee to deal with such workout emergencies, it’s not enough. Here at TheWorkOutNut.Com, we’re always looking ahead at potential obstacles that may force our clients to skip a workout. Most of these obstacles have to do with packing the right items for a workout. Many people scoff at the simple thought of drafting a checklist for all the things they may need in their gym bag. What you probably don’t know is that a simple list may be exactly what you need to make your workouts productive.

To avoid the unnecessary costs of paying for rented gym items and make your gym time fun, we have pulled together a cheat sheet of 5 essential items to have in your gym bag. We consulted fitness experts, gym owners and fitness junkies before we came up with this list. Our handpicked items cover three categories: health, hygiene and entertainment. If you have ever forgotten to pack an essential item in your gym bag, this post is for you. Sticking to your new year’s workout resolutions just got 5 times easier!

Below are some essential items to keep in your gym bag at all times.

Before you even think of packing for the gym, you need to have a compact and water-resistant gym bag. There are various brands and styles of gym bags available for sale on Amazon. Pick a gym bag with features that address your unique needs. Features to look out for in a gym bag include an adjustable strap, separate compartments for sneakers or sweaty gym wear and extra pockets to hold the extras (deodorant and sweat wipes). When shopping for a new gym bag, ensure that it is easily washable and compact enough to fit in a typical gym locker.

1. A Reusable Water Bottle

Staying hydrated at all times during workouts is vital for your body. Can we all agree to stop buying bottled water at the gym canteen? A reusable water bottle is probably the most important item you should always carry in your gym bag. Besides saving you money, a reusable water bottle is also environmentally-friendly. You can additionally refill your reusable water bottle as many times as you want. When you sweat, you lose a lot of water and having a water bottle will ensure that your bodily fluids are replenished during exercise. Besides boosting your energy levels, staying hydrated also sees that your joints are well-lubricated.

Don’t limit yourself to water, try other drinkables like protein shakes and other healthy fruit juices to enhance your metabolism.

2. Snacks

Energy bars are also essential items in your gym bag. They ensure you are fueled for your workout sesh. If you are worried about what to snack to carry, ensure you have at least two high-carb + protein bars in your gym bag at all times. You can munch one nutrition bar before your workout and the other after a rigorous treadmill routine to get a boost. The right protein-rich snack can help your muscles recover faster after a workout session. If you are no protein bars fan, you can carry your favorite healthy snack instead. Try as much as possible to avoid unhealthy snacks like biscuits, crackers and chips.

3. MP3 Player/iPod and Sweat-Proof Headphones

Music and exercising go together. Good music stirs emotions within us and feeds the soul. And who doesn’t love some upbeat workout music? If you need motivation for that extra push to work out faster, harder and longer, a catchy beat may all that you need. It’s hard to get through an intense workout in silence. Create a playlist of music that motivates you and invest in workout friendly headphones.

Nothing can ruin your workout faster than a pair of low-quality headphones. Bluetooth headphones are increasingly gaining popularity among gym-goers. Once you give them a try, you will wonder why you didn’t work out with them earlier. Bluetooth earphones have a wire-free and sweat-proof design which is convenient for workouts. The hands-free feature means that you can answer an important call while working out. They also have a decent battery life which means hours of pumping music. Let the dedicated pair of headphones be in your gym bag at all times.

4. Exercise Gear

This is a no-brainer. You need to have comfortable exercise clothing and accessories to make your workout time a happy time. When such personal items which you often use only come into contact with you, you can keep bacteria at bay.

Comfy workout clothes (a workout tank top/t-shirt and shorts) are a must. They don’t have to expensive. If you plan to do weights or any other intense workouts, it is advisable that you carry an extra pair of t-shirt or tank top. Putting on fresh clothes instead of sweaty, damp ones will give you the boost you need to be a beast in the gym.

Gym shoes, flip-flops and socks may sound like another obvious thing to mention until you forget to carry them one day. A little thing like not having the right workout socks can mess up your workout sesh.

For women, a sports bra is essential in a workout plan. Unfortunately, for most women, not wearing a sports bra is a common occurrence. Whether its yoga or push-ups, a sport bra will support your breasts, prevent bouncing during training and help you avoid sagging in the long-run.

You will need a towel to dry yourself after sweating or taking a shower. This makes carrying a towel necessary for both public and personal hygiene. While many gyms offer a complimentary hand towel, I recommend a microfiber towel as it absorbs quick and dries even quicker. Your face will also need a good swipe which means you should consider buying yourself face wipes. Make sure to purchase wipes that won’t cause your face irritation.

Other accessories you can carry depend on your intended activities. Workout-specific gear can include a hat, headband, yoga mat, weight-lifting gloves, swimsuit and goggles. Improve the hygienic conditions for your workouts by investing in the mentioned individual accessories.

5. Personal Hygiene Items (Toiletries)

These can include deodorant, lotion, body wash, shampoo, nail file, hand sanitizer, and travel-size brush or comb. Personal hygiene comes first! Sweating is part of an effective training session. Excessive sweating can, however, lead to boy odor. A subtly scented roll-on deodorant may be all you need to avoid being stinky after a hot workout. If you are worried about bacteria from touching gym equipment, a hand sanitizer will keep the germs at bay. Weightlifting can break or chip your nails, and a nail file can take care of this little problem. After taking a quick shower after a session, lotion will help keep your skin hydrated, and a brush will make your hair look as it were before you worked out. These will come in handy especially if you have to go somewhere afterwards.

Conclusion

There you go! The above-discussed items are a must have in your gym bag. Our checklist contains everything you may need at any point in time during your workout routines.

Our list is by no means exhaustive. If you feel like we forgot to mention an essential item in our checklist, let us (and other readers) know by airing your suggestions in the comments section below. Happy Workout!