Imagine this: you reach into your gym bag searching for your beloved lifting gloves only to come up empty handed. You’re wondering, “Did I actually leave my gloves at home?” If only you had kept a spare pair of gloves in your gym bag along with all the other goodies you carry every day!
Speaking of goodies in your gym bag, if you find yourself missing essential items in the gym or you just plain don’t bring anything with you at all, this article is for you, specifically.
Here are the Top 10 Gym-Bag Essentials:
1. Sizeable Gym Bag – first of all, you need a bag big enough to hold all of your training essentials. If you think your tiny fanny pack slung over your shoulder is large enough to hold key items then you’ve probably got some kind of size issue. At least throw your pack inside a larger bag – you can still have your cake and eat it too.
2. Combination lock – most facilities do not provide locks on their lockers for your use; in this case it is ideal to carry a basic combination lock in your gym bag at all times. If you have a key lock, you will not be able to open the lock if you keep your key chain in your gym bag locked inside of the locker. Use a combination of numbers that are easy for you to remember, or simply write down the combination in your training log.
3. Small Hand Towel – again, most facilities do not provide towels for your use (unless you belong to a fancy country club of sorts, then you might even have someone waiting to wipe the sweat off your forehead). This item speaks for itself.
4. MP3 Player – sometimes facilities do not play your choice of music, therefore having your own can be a lifesaver when training to the best hits from 1972 is not your idea of a good workout.
5. Training Gloves – be sure to buy a pair that fit your hands snug, they will stretch with use. Training gloves are key when you want to keep your hands soft and smooth as a baby’s butt.
6. Lifting straps – used specifically on any pulling movement; lifting straps will help to keep stress off of your wrist, forearms, and biceps, and will help to target the lateral muscle groups. Only for use when load may compromise form.
7. VPX Zero Impact™ Meal Replacement Bar – You never know when you may be running late and need a quick meal. VPX ZI bars contain 30g of high quality proteins, essential fats, and complex carbohydrates – the perfect meal replacement bar that tastes great too!
8. Bottle of Water – hydration is important throughout your day. Always carry a bottle of water in your gym bag so as to avoid any risk of dehydration.
9. Training Log – Entering the gym with a written plan is a time-saver and physique builder. Remember: Plan to Succeed.
10. Hygiene Must-Haves – Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer Gel to avoid spreading bacteria and germs, travel size shampoo, conditioner, body wash because you never know when you might need a quick shower after you train at the gym, and lastly moist wipes are great for cleaning up almost anything.
A couple other great ideas would be to throw a couple of scoops of whey protein powder in a Ziploc baggie and throw it (along with a shaker cup) in to your gym bag. An apple or banana are perfect portable carbohydrate sources for your post-workout meal; throw a couple of these in your bag as well. The all new Redline PowerRush® energy shot by VPX is extremely compact and perfect for an energy boost on the go. With seven hours of sustained energy and 2 servings per bottle you cannot go wrong; throw one of these in your bag for your next workout.
