Gym Bag Essentials You Shouldn’t Go Without

We go to the gym to make ourselves feel and look better. While we might be feeling better on the inside and getting in shape on the outside we might not look that way! I like to say that if you leave the gym looking as good as you went in, then you’re doing it wrong. Unless of course, you carry these gym bag essentials with you and take the time to clean up after you have gotten sweaty.  

Gym Bag Essentials You Shouldn’t Go Without

Gym Clothes

Wearing proper gym clothes is essential to working out safely. You don’t want baggy clothing getting caught in machines or tight clothing restricting your movement. Ill fitting clothing can also prevent you from maintaining proper form by hiding your body’s shape lines. Stick to short shorts or lycra pants, a fitted T-shirt, socks, sports bra and supportive sneakers. 

Workout-Specific Gear

Any workout specific gear you might need. For examples:

• Swim cap, goggles, and bathing suit
• Weight-lifting gloves
• Yoga mat

Toiletries

If you’re like most people and hit the gym before heading off to work you’re going to want to keep a few toiletries around. In addition to the travel size shampoo, conditioner and body wash other useful items include:

• All-in-one facial wipes
• Deodorant
• A hairbrush
• Hair ties and headbands 
• Misc. items including such as tampons, blister pads, bandages, pain reliever, a razor

Extras

• Music player with earphones
• Flip-flops
• Travel size microfiber towel
• Plastic bag for your wet bathing suit 
• Lock
• Hand towel

Nutrition

Keeping power-packed, nutrient dense snacks in your gym bag help you eat less post workout when you’re more likely to feel hungry and then over eat. It’s also important to stay hydrated. Drinks like BODYARMOR Sports Drinks are natural with nothing artificial. They’re packed with electrolytes, vitamins and coconut water to help rehydrate your body, plus, it’s low in sodium and comes in 7 different flavors fruit punch, orange mango, strawberry banana, tropical punch, lemon lime, mixed berry and grape. I’ve never been a big fan of traditional sports drinks, but I can honestly say that I actually crave these! I tried a mixed pack of flavors I liked all of them. For an added treat, try putting a bottle in the freezer about an hour or two before you head to the gym – it won’t be long enough to completely freeze, but enough to stay extra cold during your workout. If you’d like to try some for yourself, download this $1 off printable coupon then head over to Ralph’s, Target, Stater Bros or Albertson’s in Los Angeles.