8 Gym Bag Essentials

A lot of people don’t know what to take to the gym and it is very dependent on what you’re doing there. You don’t need much if you’re just getting in your cardio or strictly using equipment/ machines. But I tend not to want to use communal accessories with other people’s sweat. So let me tell you what I keep in my gym bag at all times to just grab and go.

To start, I’m your stereotypical girl who packs way too much for an overnight event because I come up with every possible scenario of what could happen and pack my whole closet. But, I promise I will stick to the essentials for this. I have a large Adidas gym bag (that I got on sale for $10 at Gabe’s, hello!) because I tend to carry a ton of things to be prepared but that isn’t necessary.

1. Headphones/ earbuds. Maybe this one is obvious, but hear me out. I have wireless Bluetooth earbuds AND over-the-ear headphones in my bag at all times. If one of them dies or didn’t charge sufficiently for some reason, I always have a spare. Trust me, it is the worst possible thing to get to the gym and realize you either forgot your headphones or they died. Or even worse, they die halfway through your workout. I don’t know about you, but I cannot do cardio – and I mean heart pounding, swimming in sweat cardio- without over-the-ear headphones. I can’t stand fumbling with earbuds while trying not to fall off the treadmill, so that’s why I stick to headphones. Here are the wireless Bluetooth earbuds I use. I think they work and sound great, stay in your ear well, and hold a sufficient charge. Here are the over-the-ear headphones I use. They go on sale all the time in stores, you could find them for under $100. But, they are really great quality and noise-cancelling.
2. Extra pair of socks. Have you ever gotten to the gym and realized you didn’t have a pair of socks? This one is a definite deal breaker and you’re not going to go back home and then back to the gym for a pair of socks. If you do, then you are dedicated and I wish I was more like you. Just put another pair of socks in your bag. You won’t miss them, you have plenty of others at home, and you will be so glad you did!
3. Combination lock. This is self explanatory. With a huge bag full of gym goodies, you don’t want anyone stealing anything. Maybe you are confident in humanity and that’s cool. But I’m not. Pro tip: put the combination in your phone so you don’t even have to memorize it.
4. Gym shoes. This one is more optional, but something I find efficient. Most people have a ton of shoes, different styles, colors, and brands. Same here, I’m a sucker for tennis shoes. I used to wear different pairs to match my outfit to the gym, in addition to wearing them throughout the day, and I started noticing they were starting to wear a lot faster. I bought a pair dedicated to the gym and since keeping them in my gym bag, they have held up a lot better. And only wearing my other shoes casually has decreased their wear as well. Another plus is I spend less time deciding on what shoes to wear each day ;). Depending on your workout regimen (cross-fit, power-lifting, running, etc.), there are different type of shoes that are more efficient for each category. But that’s totally up to you.
5. Ankle straps. I have been to a lot of gyms and they either don’t have ankle straps or they are very gross. I bought a cheap pair from Amazon (duh) and use those whenever and I don’t have to deal with random strangers’ sweat. It’s a win-win. However, I wouldn’t get cheaper ones again, because the quality is pretty cheap also.
6. Knee sleeves/ wraps. These are not a necessity, but are useful for people lifting heavier weight. They keep your knees “warm” and help to provide stability. I find that I can do heavier weight during squats and leg press because it makes me feel more stable and less worried of injury. My personal favorites are Inzer sleeves, but they also make wraps. Another company is Strong Strong Supply that carries knee wraps.
7. Bands. I carry a booty band at all times. These are exceptional for quick at-home or on-the-go workouts if you can’t make it to a gym, but still want a good workout. I personally use Bowmar’s Booty Band for $18, but another great brand is SuzieB’s glute bands. Suzie has some REALLY adorable prints (like leopard print and galaxy), colors, and they’re all $20. She also offers a boyfriend band and is coming out with a longer non-glute band. This is totally not sponsored, but these both offer great quality and affordable bands. Side note: long, thin bands can be used to help you with pull-ups, stretch your shoulders, etc. and would be good to keep in your bag, as well.
8. Care bag. I keep a small care bag in my gym bag for days where I might need to freshen up after a workout. I typically keep a small container of dry shampoo, deodorant, face wash, moisturizer, body spray, and lotion. I don’t know about you, but I do not smell like a field full of daisies after a workout, so if I’m going in public I have to freshen up first.

Well, that’s it. That’s all of my gym bag essentials! I hope I didn’t leave anything out, feel free to let me know if I did. Of course, everyone’s gym bag will look differently based on their workout regimen, but these are pretty useful and affordable items.