Written By Stephanie Caroline Snyder / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

If you go to the gym regularly enough, you probably know that there are certain things that you should always have with you. While we could come up with a comprehensive list of everything you could use during and after your workout, we're going to keep things simple and boil them down to just five fitness essentials that you should always carry.

1. A Gym Bag

A gym bag is essential simply because it's the only way you'll be able to carry everything with you. Any bag you have should be big enough to carry all of your other essentials, but it shouldn't be so heavy and awkward that you can't carry it from station to station at the gym.

Yes, you can put your bag in a locker, but you're better off packing it with the assumption that it will stay with you on the gym floor. You should also make sure that your bag has separate pouches for wet and dry items if you plan to shower at the gym. Also, make sure that you can wash the bag itself. It will start to smell, especially if you keep sweaty workout clothes and a towel in it for too long.

2. Gym Shoes

Having proper shoes for the gym may sound obvious, but it's a little more complicated than you might think. There are shoes specifically designed for running, lifting weights, cross-training, and indoor rock climbing, in addition to all-purpose athletic shoes.

The best advice we can give here is to consider what you enjoy doing at the gym and find the best shoes for your activity of choice. If you're more casual about working out and just want to lose weight and get in decent shape, a pair of comfortable and inexpensive athletic shoes should do nicely.

3. A Water Bottle

A water bottle is a must if you're going to work hard at the gym. After all, you need to stay hydrated, and having a bottle of water on hand is the best way to do that. Most gyms have drinking fountains, but there is often a line, and many gyms have shut down their water fountains in the wake of COVID anyway.

A reusable water bottle is best if you want to stay hydrated while cutting down on waste. Having a double wall insulated water bottle will ensure that your water stays cool and refreshing during a lengthy workout.

4. Workout Clothes

Having the right exercise outfit can make the difference between enjoying yourself during a workout and feeling like you're going to fall over from exhaustion. Any workout clothes you wear should be lightweight and comfortable enough to be able to "breathe" so you don't get too overheated.

Clothes made from moisture-wicking materials are best if you don't like the feel of a sweaty shirt clinging to you. If you can, try to have at least a couple of sets of workout clothes handy at home since you will need to wash your outfits after a challenging workout.

5. A Lock

Finally, you should have a lock handy for whenever you go to the gym. Even if you don't carry a lot with you and don't plan to shower, there is probably something that you will want to keep in a locker, whether this a gym bag that you don't want to carry with you on the gym floor or a coat that you wore on a cold day.

Most gyms aren't responsible for lost or stolen belongings, and you can't assume that a thief won't go through other people's things in the locker room. Having a sturdy padlock or combination lock should keep all of your belongings safe during your workout.

Of course, you can take plenty of other things with you to the gym during your workout. Towels are essential if you plan to take a shower, as are toiletries such as shampoo and deodorant. However, if you're just going for an hour or two and you intend to clean up at home later, you will still need these five essentials at the very least. Make sure you have them with you and enjoy your workout.

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Written By:

Stephanie Caroline Snyder graduated from The University of Florida in 2018; she majored in Communications with a minor in mass media. Currently, she is an author, freelance internet writer, and blogger. She was born and raised in Panama City, Florida, where her family still lives. The oldest of four children moved out to Utah to pursue her professional interests in early 2019 and worked on content creation, blogging, and internet articles since then.  She enjoys storytelling, painting, dancing, and swimming with her fiancé Marcus and their beloved dog Pluto.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.

Photo by Anastase Maragos on Unsplash