6 Essentials for a Solid Gym Routine

Gym bag should be the fitness bag of tricks.Though every gym bag is unique, and will probably reflect the fitness goals and personality of the person who carries it, every bag should have a few essentials. These gym essentials are perfect for anyone and any goal.

No more going to the gym empty-handed! Fill your bag with these items and set yourself up for a more productive workout. Whether you’re just starting out or have been in the trenches for years, you’ll benefit from a bag stocked for your success.

6 Essentials for a solid gym routine

  1. Hair Accessories

Keep cool and comfortable by pulling your hair away from your face. There’s no right or wrong way to do this: high or low ponytail, messy or controlled bun, hair ties or head band. Experiment with different styles until you find the one that works best for you and your workout. Try different hair accessories to keep your hair comfortable while sweating out in the gym.

  1. Small towel

Feeling the burn yet? If you start to feel too hot during your workout, run a towel under cold water and pat down your face and neck with it. The face and neck are some of the most temperature sensitive areas, so if you cool them down you’ll feel cooler.A small towel is one of the essential accessories that you should be carrying while going to the gym.

  1. Good Shoes

If you’re an advanced lifter, you may prefer lifting shoes to traditional cross-trainers or running shoes. Whatever choice that you make, just make sure it provides the best that support you need for the type of training you will do. Box jumps or running in sandals would turn out even worse than it would look. 

  1. Deodorant/Antiperspirant

Speaking of sweat, deodorant and antiperspirant is a must for a workout. If you hit the gym after work, the deodorant you applied during your morning routine may no longer provide the protection you need. Carry some deodorant in your bag to apply before your workout or as a touch up in between routines.

  1. Water bottle

The most important part of any workout is to stay hydrated! Water is the most efficient way to cool down your body (70% of our bodies are water!) so don’t forget your bottle at home as it is very important to keep yourself hydrated while working out at the gym.

  1. Timer or Monitor

Finally, if you want to keep track on your progress every step of the way, keep a quality heart rate monitor in your gym bag. You can use this during cardio and lifting sessions to monitor your heartbeat and stay in the desired zone. Heart rate monitors will even give valuations of total calories burned, so if fat loss is a primary goal, give them a look.

If you like circuits, HIIT training, Tabata, or Cross Fit-style (timed) workouts you will want an interval timer. Interval timers, like the Gym boss, are customizable, easy to use, and help you focus on your workout, not your rest times. In some cases, timed workouts can be one of the best ways to up the intensity of your training and overcome a plateau.