It’s that time of year again, when everyone thinks “this is the year; this is the year I get in the best shape of my life!” As a personal trainer and working in the fitness industry for over a decade, this is my favorite time of year. I get to work with new clients and help them begin to get on the path of a healthier, happier life. I mean, I was in that same position back in 2012 when I first decided to get a membership at my local Gold’s Gym. It was time for me to make a change.
Upon starting my fitness journey, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. Did I need supplements? What goes in a gym bag? It was overwhelming at the time, but as I spent more time in the gym, there were things that became big staples in my own gym bag. In this blog, I wanted to review some of those items that have become important in my fitness journey and that I still use to this day. Hopefully, it will help to jumpstart your fitness routine in the new year. Of course, as always, if you have any fitness questions at all, do not hesitate to reach out to me on any social media platform, or via my email ryan@nocofitness.com
Here are my top 5 picks from Amazon to include in your gym bag, each item $30 or less:
As I began writing this, I realized many people may not even have a gym bag. the Adidas Gym Duffel Bag provides a great option, coming in at just $27 as I am writing this. A few of the key features I look for in a good gym bag are exterior pockets (for headphones, exercise journal, wrist wraps, etc.). Another key feature of the duffel bag is the shoe pocket on one end of the bag. Trust me, you do not want to have to store your stinky workout shoes in the main pocket along with your clothes. This keeps a good separation between the two and will keep your clothes fresh.
Having exercise bands in your gym bag is crucial. Especially in the large box gym space, bands can be sparce to come by, so I like to always have my own when I am working out at big gyms. Coming in at only $20 on Amazon, bands like these are a great, budget-friendly, and space saving choice. I will use them as part of my warm up process and once done, place them back in my bag. You’ll never have to worry about not being able to warm up properly. Plus, if you can’t get on a certain piece of equipment, you can always grab your bands and modify. And, in a worst case scenario, if you can’t make it to the gym in a given day, you can most definitely grab your bands and get in a full workout right in your living room.
3. Loop Bands
Building upon the last pick, having some of these loop bands in your gym bag can be great for warm ups and exercise selection, and the beauty is a small pack of these bands is only $8 when writing this blog. They don’t take up a lot of room in your bag and are incredibly versatile. I use these types of bands with every client I work with on a daily basis, and therefore, it is a very important pick in my top 5 choices for your gym bag.
4. Wrist Wraps
Nobody likes achy wrists. Once you start weightlifting and resistance training, it is common for your joints to get a little achy. It is a common occurrence with exercise, and the wrists are fairly susceptible to this. There are some things you can do to help yourself out, however. One thing you will definitely want in your gym bag is a good set of wrist wraps. Now, there are a million brands out there for good quality wrist wraps, and Gym Reapers, featured on Amazon, is one of those brands. Give these a shot for your first pair of wrist wraps (only $17 at the time of writing this blog).
There is no doubt. All of that hard work in the gym is going to leave you smelling ripe. Another important staple in any gym bag is a Shower Bag Tote. You will want to keep all of your toiletries organized in your gym bag. It can become quite chaotic in your bag if you don’t. There are many options for a shower tote bag, but one of my favorite features of the above bag is the suction cup attachment. Just hang the bag on the wall and grab what you need as you need it. The best part is, it only costs $7 at the time of writing this. What a great deal!
If you are looking to begin your fitness routine, setting yourself up for success is so important! Hopefully this blog helped to provide you a resource to some great pieces to add to your gym bag to help you be successful! Need more ideas?
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