A Look Inside: What to Pack in your Gym Bag
Packing a bag for the gym can be… intimidating. Especially as an adult. You don’t want to forget anything, but you also don’t want to show up looking like a hoarder.
In today’s article, I’m going to be showing you exactly what is in my fitness bag, and what to pack in your gym bag for years to come.
What is in my Fitness Bag
The Bag
Ever since I moved out of my parent’s house and started working out on my own, I have carried this bag to the gym. I could NOT recommend it enough. Longchamp is a brand with a longstanding promise of quality. My little tote is still in essentially like-new condition five years later. I love that it is waterproof and – as my husband so lovingly calls it – “Hannah Proof”. I’m known for being kind of a mess in all respects of the word. This bag has been chunked into the back of my car and into lockers all over the DFW metroplex. I’ve used it for travel purposes and as an additional tote when taking things to and from the office (back when that was a thing).
Click here to shop the bag.
Why I Love this Bag
- Waterproof
- “Hannah Proof” (see above)
- Durable
- Scratch Proof against minor wear and tear (thank you, nylon!)
- Withstands the test of time
- Roomy enough to hold everything I need, but not so big that things get lost
- Has side pocket for my keys / headphones
- Zipper and snap top for double protection
- Worth the $$$
My Fitness Bag’s VIP Contents
It is shocking what all can fit into my little fitness bag. These items are the VIP, must have items I keep in it at all times.
What to pack in your gym bag:
I know people who would see the price on a six pack of these and absolutely think I’m insane. My rebuttal: most people are willing to pay $1 per can for a 6 pack of beer that’ll be enjoyed once. Wear one of these hair ties 6 times (so to the gym for a week) and it’s paid for itself. These are the only hair ties I will wear – period – now unless I have no choice. My hair breakage has decreased significantly since switching to these!
I have been using this face wash since 2019. This is also the year I last updated my daily skincare routine post. Nothing makes me sadder than not having it after an intense workout. I’m lucky that the gym I’m at now has it in the dressing rooms!
You know those days when you wake up feeling like you can just *own* the day?
They don’t happen very often, but I always keep these on me just in case my body decides to grant me with such a gift. They’re also awesome for when you are folding laundry or if you’re wanting a little extra weight in a barre / pilates class!
I wrote more about my love for Balas in my article about my top buys from last year in case you want to read a little bit more about them!
Nothing is worse than getting to a workout class and realizing you don’t have the required socks to participate. I always keep an extra pair or two in my fitness bag just in case I’m having one of those moments.
PRO TIP: have a couple pairs in a specific color (say pink or blue, something different) that belong IN your bag only. They never touch your sock drawer. This will trigger a reminder to you to put them back where they belong (in your gym bag) once you pull them out of the dryer.
Picture this: you’re at the gym. It’s not super crowded, but crowded enough that there are people around you. You just can’t kick the scent of body odor that is drifting off of someone… and then you realize. The culprit. Is. YOU. Sprayable deodorant just became your lifeline. It won’t rub off white onto your clothes, and it’ll cover the smell in a flash.
I’m probably going to get some feedback on this, so let me explain. Airpods are great, they really are. I wear mine around the house and when walking our dog around the neighborhood. That said, the Bose headphones I feel stay in the ear better (especially when sweating!) and are connected by a wire to each other. This way, if you feel like only wearing one, it is possible to do so without losing the other. I’m clearly very passionate about this decision.
I talk all about these eye masks on my Instagram story frequently. They also make an appearance in my article about Making Yourself a Priority. AKA they are the best. In addition to depuffing the under eye area, they also hydrate the skin, keeping you looking hydrated and *alive* even after a strenuous workout. I love that they are so much more affordable than other eye masks I’ve tried, yet are a fraction of the cost. A must try for sure.
I am yet to go to a gym that has these available, so keeping them in your bag is key.
PRO TIP: If you own both booty bands and Bala weights, then whenever you travel, you have all you need for a quick workout on the go! Simply toss both of these things into your suitcase and you’ll be ready to go!
Other Gym Bag Items
These are items I keep in my bag within a little pouch just in case I need them. They are those types of things that you don’t think about unless you need them and you don’t have them. Then, it is a complete disaster. These items are:
- Extra contacts + contact case – there is nothing worse than not being able to see while working out or driving home
- Phone charger – since I work out so early in the morning, it is my fear something may happen and I won’t have a charged phone to use to fix it
- $5 in ones – A gym I used to go to required $1 to get in and out of the parking garage. That said, I keep the $$ on me to this day in case I need to emergency fill a tire or forget a water bottle to a class.
- Chapstick – if you don’t understand this one, you’ve never needed to use chapstick and not had it
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