My Go-To Items in my Gym Bag

Good news!  Gyms have finally reopened back on July 16th.  I have been lucky enough to book my gym slots and feel much better afterwards.  For a fantastic gym workout, I make sure to pack my gym essentials into my workout bag!

When it comes to my time at the gym, I tend to focus primarily on weightlifting. I got into weight lifting during my first year of university and really enjoyed the satisfying feeling of reaching a new personal record (PR).  Besides toning my body, I have made a bunch of new friends at the gym, which encourages me to go back to the gym as much as possible.

Headphones

See, I do appreciate that most gyms play music throughout their facilities.  However, their music tastes differ much from my own.  They tend to use radio music, which isn’t bad- Don’t get me wrong.  When I am trying to get my bench press reps in, I find that punk rock music or heavy metal energizes me.  That’s why I rely on my Spotify playlists!

Before I leave the house, I make sure to bring Bluetooth headphones and my phone.  I used to use wired headphones,, but I find myself getting the wired tangled.  Sometimes, my workout outfits don’t have pickets, so it poses an extra challenge of trying to carry my phone too!

Water bottle

Never forget to stay hydrated!  It helps to replenish your body after a strenuous set.  I do admit that I used to bring plastic bottled water.  Once I realized the environmental downside from using bottled water, I chose to purchase a reusable, BPA-free water bottle.

For better context, BPA stands for bisphenol A. Bisphenol A is an industrial chemical that is generally found in objects made from polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, such as electronics, food-storage containers, and car sunroofs.  Plastic bottled waters use a considerable amount of BPA.  Although this chemical is used in everyday items, it has a negative effect on the human body even in small amounts.  It significantly hinders the cardiovascular and immune system, which will make you susceptible to metabolic disease and Alzheimer's.

My water bottle is also dishwasher-safe, which makes it all the easier to clean it properly after coming back home.

Gym Sneakers & Exercise Clothes

With how quickly the weather changes, the last thing that I want to happen is to go to the gym when it’s raining and come in soaked gym clothes.  I make sure to change into appropriate gym attire upon arriving at the gym.  I tend to opt for a baggy t-shirt and leggings. Wearing tight clothing is a big no-no for me, as it limits my mobility for certain exercises.

This tip also applies to gym shoes.  While I may enter the gym in flip-flops or sandals, they would not really help in my workout.  I make sure to have a designated pair of sneakers to change into.  Sneakers and even regular running shoes are designed for physical activity, so they would certainly help in reaching your best gym performance.  These shoes possess a strong grip on the soles, which can keep you safe from falling and other injuries.

Protein Bars

After a workout, I like to reward myself with a small snack.  Protein bars provide me with fuel to continue on with the rest of my day.  They are filled with an abundance of vitamins, minerals, protein, and carbohydrates.

Lately, I have been trying to experiment with making my own protein bars.  While I do follow online recipes for protein bars, they do not taste that well as opposed to buying them from the machines at the gym.  Perhaps, I need to work on my cooking skills…

Odor Balls

This is a newer addition to my gym bag.  I recently found this out through a friend, and they have been a lifesaver!  When I come back home, I empty out my bag and toss in a ball or two.  After a while, I empty out my bag, and it ends up smelling nice.  Odor balls can be used for shoes too!

Deodorant & Drying Towels

Sweating is completely normal when working out.  Though, I wouldn’t be too keen on using an exercise machine if someone else’s sweat is on it.  Of course, gyms do offer sanitizing clothes and spray for this very issue.  I just feel more comfortable in using my own towel to clean machines, which I make sure to wash weekly.

I do recognize that sweating can create an undesirable body odor which can take away from another’s gym experience.  Deodorant is another essential that I keep in my gym bag.

Hand Sanitizer & Mask

Even with the fast vaccine rollout and provincial restrictions being lifted, we should not underestimate the threat of COVID-19.  We need to be more cautious than ever in ensuring we minimize risk factors in the spread of this virus.  It is worth noting that if you want to go to the gym, you will be required to wear a mask on entry.  While gyms do offer hand sanitizer around every corner, this point goes back to the drying towels point.  It is just my personal preference to use my own travel size hand sanitizer.  If you feel comfortable relying on the gym’s hand sanitizer and cleaning products, go for it!

I hope you enjoy learning about my gym bag essentials.  Of course, I am aware that some people may still feel unready in quickly adjusting back to gym workouts.  For those, I recommend taking a class from Kellykinetix, especially the Body Mobility class.  It has helped with my flexibility and alleviating some tight knots in my back!