3 Things You Should Always Carry in your Gym Bag

The gym bag...for gym junkies it is always in the car, attached to our side, or stuck to us much like a cell phone. So what goes in the gym bag? It is different for everyone. We are all unique. We all have different lives and schedules, so what we put in the gym bag is going to reflect what our lives look like. But here are 3 essentials that must go in every gym bag regardless of what time we get to the gym, what our jobs look like, and whether or not we have kids to pick up or dogs to walk, or dates to dress up for after our workout.

1. THE WATER BOTTLE

Hydration is one of the most important things to keep in mind when we are thinking about our overall health. On average, we should be drinking 1.2 of our body weight in ounces every day. So a women who weighs 140 lbs. should be drinking 70 ounces of water. This needs to be more for athletes and for those who have intense workouts. Invest in a cute water bottle and drink up ladies! That water bottle should be stuck to you like glue. Don't go to the gym without it.

2. SANITIZER

Think about all of the people who touch the same gym equipment that you touch. The weights, gym machines, foam rollers, door knobs, etc. never get sanitized. I say this because I've worked in gyms for 20 years, that stuff never gets cleaned. It's kinda like public pools, lifeguards will never tell you the stuff that they find in the pools, but it's gross. Gym employees will never reveal what they find in gyms. But believe me, the saunas, the locker rooms, the bathrooms, the tanning beds, and yes sometimes even on the gym floor, see some pretty gross things. The best medicine is preventative medicine. Do yourself a favor and always carry hand sanitizer in your bag. Better to be safe than sorry.

3. A CLEAN SHIRT

This relates to number 2. If you are working out the way you are supposed to, you will leave the gym very sweaty. One of my favorite gym sayings is, "If you look cute on your way out of the gym, my guess is that you didn't work out the way you were supposed to." You want to push yourself to the point of fatigue. This is where the growth and change happens. If you stay in your comfort zone when working out, your body will never adapt, and you will never see the results you want. So get in there, and get sweaty.

When the workout is over, you will not want to sit in you car all soaked and wet and sweaty and smelly. So make it a habit to keep a clean shirt in your gym bag. You'll feel better when you walk out of the gym and into your car if you are wearing a dry, clean shirt.

Of course there are a number of other things that can and should be in your bag. I always carry a first aid kit. It's better to be safe than sorry. I also carry a watch with a timer, lifting gloves, body spray, a hand towel, & some lip moisturizer. Depending on the time of day that I go to the gym, I'll have clothes, shoes, hygiene items. When working out becomes a priority, the gym bag will become a part of your life. Have fun with your exercise program. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them in the comments below.

Sabrina is an ACE Health Coach and Fitness Instructor. With 20 years of experience. She is also an Ayurveda Health Educator. She teaches classes and works with clients online and in person. You can learn more about her at www.ayurvedacoach.org