How to Pack Your Gym Bag Essentials

Packing a gym bag the night before is one of the best motivators in getting you to the gym the next day. If you pack it right with everything needed in it, there is no excuse for skipping the gym.

From “I forgot my trainers” to “my gym clothes are still sweaty from yesterday”, we’ve heard every excuse in the book over the years. Here’s a guide on how to pack gym bag essentials so you won’t miss another workout.

Pack the Night Before

Packing a gym bag the night before means being prepared in the morning and less likely to forget important items like shoes, shorts, or water bottles during the scramble to get out the door. Make a habit of removing dirty clothes upon returning home at night and repacking your bag with fresh clothes.

Clean It Out

Have you ever opened your gym bag only to pass out from the smell? With the constant cycle of sweaty workout clothes and stinky gym shoes, there is a reason why your gym bag stinks like feet.

Give your gym bag a good cleaning at least once a month. Make it a weekly habit to clean out any protein bar wrappers or tissues that end up in there. If your bag is notoriously foul, place an air fresher in there or even get a new bag if you must. No one wants to smell your bag!

Keep the Wet Stuff Separate

Wetsuits, swimmers, really sweaty gym clothes, and shower shoes are all perfect breeding grounds for bacteria. Don’t mix these with clean clothes and toiletries. Carry a reusable plastic bag to place wet or dirty clothes in, then put that into your gym bag.

Pack Extras

Ladies, this one is for you. Remember to pack extra hair ties and tampons! Keeping extra toiletries and supplies —like hair ties, wet wipes, chap-stick, socks, and other vital stuff in your bag— can save you in a crunch.

Gym Bag Essentials

Everyone’s gym bag essentials are a little different, but workout clothes, shoes, and a water bottle are needed, at a minimum. Here are some more suggestions of gym bag essentials to keep in your gym bag:

• Workout clothing
• Shoes
• Extra socks
• Wet wipes
• Deodorant
• Shower shoes/flip flops
• Soap or body wash
• Towel
• Plastic bag for wet clothing
• Tampons (for the ladies)
• iPod (or phone) and headphones
• Snacks or workout fuel
• Hand sanitiser
• Toiletries (travel size ones are great!)
• Hair ties
• Reusable water bottle

Packing your gym bag with everything needed the night before can save you from missing the next day’s workout. Tell us below what’s in your gym bag.