When you’re about to go into battle, you need to be prepared with the right artillery. This same philosophy can be applied when you intend to launch into an intense exercise session. How you prepare for a workout will guarantee a better outcome. With gyms slowly allowed to reopen, you might have forgotten what you need to pack after almost a year of contentedly sweating it out at home. A well-curated gym bag will help you sweat comfortably and freshen up better. Ready to crush your workout? Then get packing!
Use a Proper Gym Bag
The armory is just as important as what’s inside. Forgot a random shopping tote or, heaven forbid, a plastic bag. Make sure to use a proper sports duffel that is breathable to avoid developing a musty odor from your sweaty clothes and dirty shoes, as well as washable so you can prevent the buildup of bacteria.
Bring an Insulated Water Tumbler
More than keeping you feeling refreshed, cold water has been proven to improve exercise performance. A study in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition concluded that cold water lowers body temperature and reduces water loss during exercise, pushing you to work out longer. Further research in Health and Fitness Journal also notes the importance of staying hydrated before, during, and after a workout.
An insulated flask will help keep your beverage refreshing for at least 24 hours, making you feel confident that you have cold water throughout your gym time.
Always Double Up on the Towels
Many gymgoers make the mistake of bringing a single towel. Our recommendation? Stock up on at least two. You need one towel to wipe off your sweat and a separate towel to use in the shower. Maybe you need a third in case you’re doing some mat work, like yoga or stretching. You wouldn’t want to use a towel that’s touched the floor on your face, would you?
Have an Assortment of Hair Accessories
Sometimes, a ponytail scrunchie isn’t enough. If you have a , a short hairstyle, , or you’re blessed with some baby hair around your hairline, you need something that can push your hair away from your face better, like a sweatband or clips. Cardio might require a tighter or updo compared to isometric exercises. Have options depending on the exercise you’re doing. Nothing kills a jump rope workout worse than having your hair fly all over your face.
Sanitize! Sanitize! Sanitize!
This is still a time for precaution so make sanitizing your hands a must. Pack a jumbo-sized hand sanitizer and alcohol to disinfect gym equipment and regularly decontaminate your hands. When you’re working out, not only are you touching various surfaces, you will also be unconsciously reaching for your face often, whether it’s to wipe off sweat or push away messy hair strands. Now, do you see the importance of having a towel and proper hair accessories?
Don’t Forget to Wash Up.
From gym debris to sweat to who knows what other dirt you picked up along the way, you need to end your workout on a refreshing note: with a nice and an antimicrobial body wash that not only cleans your skin but also pampers you and make you feel relaxed. After all, you did work hard.
Lifebuoy Antibacterial Body Wash Total 10 has Activ Silver, an intense antibacterial ingredient that eliminates pesky germs and leaves you feeling squeaky clean, and fresh. If it was an extra challenging workout, reward yourself with Dove Relaxing Lavender Body Wash, which is infused with chamomile and to soothe skin (and your mood thanks to the calming scent). It nourishes skin just as much as it cleans.
Are you all packed? Now that your gym bag is ready, it’s time to exercise!