Essentials for Hitting the Gym
With swimsuit season right around the corner, you may notice your local gym starting to look a little more crowded than usual!
Whether you’re about to jet off to a tropical location or just want to get back into shape after the long winter, heading to the gym can be an intimidating experience, especially if you’re underprepared. Packing your gym bag accordingly is an essential part of a good workout, so make sure to cross these items off your checklist before heading out!
A Good Gym Bag
This may seem like a no-brainer, but having a good bag is essential to toting your things to and from the gym! The size of your bag can vary depending on what you plan on bringing to the gym, so use your judgment and choose something that will comfortably hold all of your belongings. For a quick workout, drawstring bags are the perfect size to toss in a change of clothes and a water bottle. If you need more room, something like a duffel bag or larger tote bag will give you the space you need to store your gym essentials safely.
Quality Workout Clothes
Your workout is only as good as the clothes you’re wearing, so be sure to invest in a few good pieces before hitting the gym. Your gym clothes should be breathable, well-fitted, and align with the type of workout you’ll be doing to ensure nothing gets in the way. If you’re doing yoga, for example, investing in a good pair of yoga pants and a top that lets you move around freely can enhance your workout and make it easier to get into various poses, so make sure you’re choosing the appropriate clothing.
Music & Headphones
Listening to music can help get you pumped up and ready for your workout, so be sure to make a solid playlist before heading to the gym. Depending on what kind of music you’re into, create a playlist of songs that get you amped up and will keep you going through your workout. Pop, rap, and hip-hop tend to be the most popular genres when it comes to workout music, but anything with a fast tempo and good beat will do. A good pair of headphones or earbuds is also imperative to your workout, as you don’t want them falling out of your ears or slipping off your head! Do some research and invest in a durable pair that will last you many gym sessions.
Water Bottle or Shaker
It is important to stay hydrated before, during, and after your workout, so make sure you pack a water bottle or shaker bottle that can hold enough fluids to get you through your workout. Bringing a reusable water bottle is an environmentally-friendly alternative to plastic water bottles, and you can easily refill them at your gym’s water fountain. Nalgene, Hydro Flask, and S’well all make great reusable water bottles and can hold plenty of water depending on what size you choose. Shaker bottles can also be purchased relatively affordable, so choose one that works best for you and your needs and stay hydrated!
Workout Log
Tracking your workouts is an essential part of ensuring you’re making progress and working towards achieving the results you desire. Workout-tracking mobile apps make it easy and convenient to keep track of when you’re exercising and for how long, so you can log each workout after you complete it. Apps like MyFitnessPal, Fitlist, and Workout Trainer make it almost foolproof to log your workout and keep track of how many calories you’ve burned so you can make sure you’re headed in the right direction with your fitness goals. If you’d rather go the old-fashioned pen and paper route, try keeping a notebook tracking what you ate that day, how much time you spent at the gym, how many calories you burned, etc. You’ll feel more confident after a workout, knowing exactly how much progress you made!
