You don’t need to carry unnecessary things to the gym. All you need are the essentials.
Here are my top six gym bag essentials:
Footwear: Nike Air Zoom Structure RRP $200
Your feet carry you everywhere – to work, to play, to train -, so make sure you look after them. Wear the correct footwear for the type of exercise you’re participating in. Shoes have different support, stability and grip for different types of exercise – running, tennis and gym workouts. If your shoes are worn out, buy another pair. It’s not indulgent; it’s an investment in your health. If there are added benefits in going barefoot for a particular class, Cinderella it, even if it has been a while since your last pedicure.
Sports bra: First Base Recovery Bra RRP $79.00
Who can give their best in a workout if they’re distracted by too much jiggle and bounce? Tuck the puppies away in a good sports bra – and for the bustier, a sports bra plus a fitted cropped sports top works best. Not only will this prevent the tearing of muscle fibres that contribute to breast sagging, but it will also stop you from inadvertently using your neck muscles in an attempt to support your unruly bosoms.
Hair tie: Mecca Max No Crease Hair Coils RRP $10.00
It’s hard to concentrate on the exercise in hand and breathe deeply to uptake the oxygen you need for your workout if you have sweaty hair flicking in your eyes and mouth. Tie it up or tie it back, just get it out of your face and off your neck.
Towel: Celsius Exercise Towel RRP $19.99
Not only is it good gym etiquette to put down a towel or wipe up a seat when you’re sharing exercise equipment with others, having your own towel means you can safeguard against having to sit or lie in the sweaty puddle left by someone else with less than admirable gym manners.
Water bottle: KOR Delta Water Bottle RRP $15.00
A dehydrated body cannot generate energy, cool itself or burn fat as effectively. With a multitude of water bottles on the market that are chemical free and which can filter, or infuse your water with fruit, there’s no excuse to be sans aqua during exercise.
Face wipes: Shiseido Pureness Refreshing Cleansing Sheets Oil-Free Alcohol-Free RRP $18.50
If you’ve had a great workout, chances are you’ve worked up a good sweat – and opened your pores and expelled toxins. Using a face wipe to clear away the sweat and dirt immediately will ensure it doesn’t dry on your skin, blocking pores, leading to bacterial build up and pimples, before you’ve had time to get home and jump in the shower.
By Rachel Livingstone, Personal trainer & Owner of The Health Hub.
