Whether you’re a D1 athlete, dedicated gym rat or just a frequent visitor to your local recreation center, having the proper gym bag is essential. After a long day at work or sitting in class, there’s nothing better than stretching your legs, clearing your head and sweating out your stress at the gym. Don’t let a lack of proper workout supplies keep you from your best workout. With these gym essentials in your bag you’ll be on your way to having a great workout every day.
- The Proper Footwear - Not all sneakers were created equal. While grabbing the first pair of tennis shoes you find in your closet might get the job done, you may not be getting the most out of your workout. It’s important to choose the right kind of shoe for the type of workout you are doing. Shoes for running should have more cushioning on the forefoot, as it helps support and stabilize your foot as you push yourself forward. On the other hand, if you are playing basketball at your local gym, it’s important to have a shoe that is stabilized laterally. Consider going to an athletic shoe store to have an expert measure and analyze your foot to provide the perfect fit.
- Headphones - There is no worse feeling than getting to the gym prepared to have an awesome workout and realizing that you forgot your headphones. Even if you own a pair of everyday headphones, it’s smart to designate one pair that never leaves your gym bag. With the new fad of bluetooth headphones, working out and jamming to your favorite tunes has never been easier. Grab a pair of bluetooth headphones for your bag and eliminate the pesky cord that often gets tangled while running.
- Reusable Water Bottle - With Americans purchasing an astounding 50 billion single-use plastic water bottles per year, and recycling only about 23% of them, it’s never been a better time to make the switch to a reusable water bottle. While most bottles will do the trick and keep you hydrated throughout your workout, some have special features that could make them a staple in your gym bag. If you are running outside during the summer months, an insulated bottle can help keep your water cold even on the hottest of days. If you are filling up constantly at the gym, a bottle with a built-in filter can give you purified water from any tap-water source. By doing some research and picking the bottle that’s right for you, you’ll never return to single-use plastic.
- Odor Control: Without proper cleaning and care, your gym bag can easily become a smelly breeding ground for mold and bacteria. Sweaty workout clothes are often the main culprit, and while you can’t control how much you sweat, you can control the smell from spreading into your gym bag. Keep a reusable wet pouch or even a large plastic bag inside your gym bag to store your dirty clothes after a sweaty workout. Keeping the clothes contained will limit the bacteria to a small area that can be easily disinfected daily with antibacterial wipes and a deep cleaning regimen once a week.
- Pain Prevention and minor injury treatment: In an ideal world, we would finish every workout feeling healthy and energized. Unfortunately the reality is that many of us, including peak performing athletes, have chronic muscle pain during exercise. Don’t let muscle fatigue keep you from having a great workout, instead be prepared. It may help to keep a handheld massage stick handy for pre- and post-workout stretching. Also, try Instant Ice, the safe and effective topical skin refrigerant that can temporarily relieve muscle spasms, minor sports injuries, bruises, sprains and strains. It works like an ice pack, but can be easily transported in a small, lightweight can. Just throw it in your bag and use as needed throughout your workout.
- Post-Workout Fuel: No workout is truly complete without a celebratory snack. It’s important to refuel your body, ideally within an hour of your workout to maximize recovery benefits and regain energy lost. Keep a few healthy energy bars in your bag to ensure a quick snack even if you have to quickly head back to the office.
There are endless excuses you can make to avoid fitting a workout into your schedule, but having a proper gym bag handy should never be one of them. With these six simple gym bag essentials, you will be on your way to a great workout anytime of the day.
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