Packing the gym bag right is not an art. It is not a difficult task either. But often people forget to pack the items that they absolutely need in the gym. Anyone forget to pack the socks or the t-shirt?
Well most people remember to pack their gear. But in the gym – amidst your sweaty workouts – you need more than just your clothes, shoes, and socks.
Here are some essential things that you must always remember to pack in your gym bag.
A Small Towel
Don’t they have towels at the gym? Yes, they do but most gyms charge their members for using the towels. Even if use of towels was free in your gym, it is still better to carry your own napkin for hygiene reasons.
A towel or two can easily fit even in a small gym bag for women and men. A small towel is an essential item even if you carry a bath towel. A small towel can come in handy to wipe the sweat easily off your face and hands. You can also use it to clean equipments that another user may have left a tad sweaty.
Soap
It is just too easy to miss packing soap in the gym bag. You don’t need to carry an assortment of different body washes (you can though if you have ample space your bag!). But keep a reusable bottle of body wash always stashed in your gym bag. The importance of packing soap is never emphasized more when you get second glances on your way home but for the way you smell –just because you forget to carry soap and showered with water alone.
Deodorant
You may need to use it several times during your workout session if you don’t wish to be known as the person-who-always-smells-bad in the gym. A deodorant or perfume bottle can also come in handy if you need to go to work or a social meeting right after your workout sessions in the gym. It can also be useful when you forget to pack soap! At least you won’t have to worry about smelling bad.
Flip-Flops
Do you not carry a pair of slippers to the gym? Do you not care about your toe health? Even small gym bags for women have space for thin flip-flops that you can stash with your gear.
Slippers are necessary items when you use showers in the gym. Wearing them can protect you from fungal infections that you can pick from communal showers.
An Extra Pair of Socks
When you are in the midst of an intensive exercise routine, the last thing you want it to be hampered by wet socks. Sock can get soaked with sweat even when the weather is not warm. An extra pair of socks can quickly give you reprieve from sweaty feet to continue with your exercise comfortably.
Water Bottle
Keeping a bottle by your side filled with fresh water ensures that you continue to hydrate your body between sets. It is so much easier to drink water if you have it in a bottle ready to consume than to visit the water station at the gym. Simply buy a reusable bottle that you can use for water or health drinks at the gym.
Snacks
It is essential that you pack your own snacks when going to the gym. It will stop you from temptations of gorging on anything and everything after your workout session is over.
A good idea is to pack the snacks according to the time of the day. For instance, if you go to the office after your gym visit in the mornings, you can pack fruits or a wholegrain sandwich with low-fat cottage cheese and vegetables. If you are going home after your workouts in the evening, some good snack choices would be roasted almonds, walnuts, or steamed edamame.
To pack the things well and right, it is also essential to use the right gym bag. Buy a sturdy gym bag with separate compartments for shoes, gear, and sweaty clothes. Ensure that it has multiple compartments to store small items as well.
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