How to Pack Your Gym Bag

Tips and tricks to help you pack your gym bag when you are crazy busy!

You’ve heard this phrase a million times, so let’s say it once more – failing to plan is planning to fail. That phrase rings true every time. It applies to meal planning, productivity, and staying consistent and successful with your fitness routine.

As a morning fitness fanatic, I have had a lot of practice packing a gym bag to get me ready to head straight to work from the gym. With that said, I have also had my fair share of #gymbagfails. Some of them funny, and some of them incredibly embarrassing. But I don’t want you to go through that, so I’m sharing some of my favorite tips and tricks for effectively packing your gym bag, along with some staple products I always have on me.

Gym bag packing strategies

1. Always pack your bag the night before.

At the time I’m writing this, we are transitioning into Fall from Summer. That means it is staying darker for longer. If you are trying to get out of the house for a morning workout, do you think you are seriously going to get up and fumble around in the dark packing a gym bag? Don’t lie to me, or to yourself. Make a habit out of packing your bag the night before so you can just grab it while you run out the door. Bonus points for filling up your water bottle the night before as well. This rule also applies for evening exercisers. If you have your packed gym bag with you and ready to go after work, you can go straight to the gym instead of having to go home first. Because let’s be real, when most of us come home for the night (myself included) we aren’t going anywhere.

2. Double up on toiletries

If you use your toiletries in the locker room, keep a set in your gym bag. If you use one bottle of body wash and are constantly taking it back and forth from your shower to your gym bag, at some point you won’t have it when you need it. I like buying small travel-sized containers and refilling products I need from the larger versions I keep in my bathroom, as well as having a second set of some products. That way I know I can always get so fresh and so clean wherever I go.

3. Use a quality bag

I have used everything from backpacks to huge purses to reusable shopping bags to stock my gym goodies. Usually, these turn into a messy bottomless pit of stuff. Ain’t nobody got time for that. These days, I use a bag designed specifically for the gym that has separate compartments for everything I need. It is so much easier to stay organized, and I can get ready for work that much faster because I know exactly where everything is. Right now I’m using this beauty (which is the bag in the photo) from lululemon, and I am in love with it! It even comes with a pouch to put your hot straightener in. 

Gym Bag Essentials

1. Headphones

Nothing is sadder than getting to the gym and realizing you can’t listen to any music. Back in the day, I only had one set of headphones and I would take them from the gym to work every day. Also during this time, I frequently left my headphones in one place or another and was always sad when I couldn’t listen to music while working out, or while working at my desk. Invest in a second pair and keep a set in your gym bag so you always have them with you.

2. Water Bottle

In case you like feeling like you are going to die, I highly recommend bringing water with you to the gym. Okay, maybe that was a little dramatic. But hydration is so important. Like headphones, try keeping a workout-specific water bottle with you.

3. Face/Body Wipes

Face and body wipes are so necessary if you are going somewhere right after working out. If you don’t have time to take a full-on shower, they make freshening up so much easier. Or if you are working out after a long day, they are perfect for helping you take off your makeup before your sweat session. My favorite wipes are these unscented argan wipes by Acure.

4. Deodorant

Ugh, this is definitely a #gymbagfail I have done before. Finding yourself without deodorant after a sweaty workout is basically the worst. Make sure you have some in your gym bag at all times to prevent some questionable situations (been there). A few options I have been using lately are Schmidt’s Deodorant (all-natural and aluminum free) and Pacifica Deodorant Wipes (also all-natural).

5. Hair Ties

I greatly admire YouTube fitness gurus who can workout with their long beachy waves flowing in the wind. When I try to workout with my hair down, I look like a hot mess version of Fabio. If you can relate, keep a pack of hair ties in your bag so you can tighten your ponytail and get down to business.

6. Dry Shampoo

Another essential, because if I washed my hair every time I went to the gym, I would have time to do no other things. Usually, a bit of dry shampoo and a quick run-through of my straightener can help me look human again post-workout. I’m not particularly loyal to any brand of dry shampoo, but would love your recommendations.

Your Turn:

• What are some of your gym bag essentials?
• Have you ever had any gym bag fails?

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